Industry Resources

Learn about IHA’s cost-saving programs, including the International Housewares Shippers Association, designed to help members grow their business!

The CRA and New Regulations

Concerns among Democrats in Washington, D.C. that Republicans could win the White House in November has caused Biden Administration officials to accelerate their regulatory agenda. This is driven by their fears that a Republican White House and Congress will use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal many new regulations if they aren’t finalized by the spring or summer of…

2024-25 Ocean Contracts Finalized

Service contracts covering containers moving between Asia and the United States have been finalized. It was initially thought that the new service contract rates would remain unchanged or receive slight decreases in some cases. The steady increase in container volume from Asia during the first quarter of 2024 has allowed the carriers to secure modest price increases for the…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – May

April 30 – Nordstrom Adds Marketplace, Upgrades Digital Experience Marketplace customers will get personalized recommendations and thoughtful curation to make it easier to shop for their favorite brands and discover new ones, Nordstrom indicated. From: HomePage News April 30 – The Save Mart Companies to Roll Out In-Store Retail Media Network The chain will deploy tech…

Expect Disputes at Port of Baltimore

The ship owner is denying responsibility for the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26. Lawyers petitioned U.S. district courts of Maryland citing why the ship owner was not at fault. While the blame game plays out in court, U.S. regulators are expecting a slew of disputes over excess fees being charged to shippers unable to utilize the…

Lacey Act Reporting Requirements

In 1900, Congressman John Lacey sponsored legislation to curb the importation of exotic bird feathers. Lacey Act amendments up to 2008 expanded coverage to fish and animals and established individual and corporate responsibility. The 2008 Farm Bill added wood and plant products, making it unlawful to “import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – April

March 29 – West Elm’s New iOS Mobile App Customizes Shopping Experience The app is available for free in the App Store. West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma banner. From: HomePage News March 29 – Lands’ End Lays Off 10% of Corporate Workforce The layoffs came as Lands’ End faced growing losses and declining sales in the fourth quarter. From: Retail Dive March 29 – Report:…

Rhetoric Heats up Over Potential Strike at U.S. Ports

The threat of a potential strike at U.S. ports has traditionally been centered around West Coast ports. That is no longer the case. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents East and Gulf Coast ports, is warning of a potential strike unless key issues can be resolved. Wages and automation appear to be the key issues that need to be resolved to avert a…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – March

February 29 – How Sam’s Club Is Transforming the Customer Experience The retailer is embracing technology applications in its quest to make shopping and working even easier, including robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI). From: Progressive Grocer February 29 – Dollar General Reaches 20,000 Stores with New Texas Location DG Markets are a…

State Recycled Content Laws

Laws requiring certain percentages of post-consumer resin content in plastic packaging are gaining traction in some states. According to the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), by late 2023, seven states were in various stages of implementing such laws, with existing laws in CA, ME, WA and NJ, and a new law in CT and proposed laws in MD and NY. State laws in effect…