Industry Resources

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

Congress Begins Moving a Bipartisan Tax Bill

On January 17, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced bipartisan, bicameral tax legislation, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (TRAFA). To summarize, TRAFA would extend three business tax breaks from 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and expand the child tax credit, with…

IHSA Begins Ocean Contract Negotiations

The ocean shipping market continues to be very unstable as it has been since the beginning of the pandemic. In a short three-year period, shippers have been exposed to record high-rate levels, record low-rate levels, severe space limitations and fractured supply chains. The instability in the Red Sea is the latest hurdle that shippers must now overcome. The majority of…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – February

January 30 – Dollar General Surpasses Milestone of 5,000 Stores Nationwide Offering Fresh Produce. Dollar General has surpassed its latest milestone, now offering fresh produce options in more than 5,000 stores across the country. From: Drugstore News January 30 – Lowe’s Taps TikTok to Connect with Existing and Potential Employees The Lowe’s TikTok account includes more…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – January

December 29 – Holiday Spending Up 3% Over Last Year Retail holiday spending during the 2023 holiday season rose just over 3% year over year, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse. From: Hardware Retailing December 27 – Container Store Names Chief Digital Officer; Senior VP of Stores The Container Store has made two additions to its executive leadership team.…

IHA Government Affairs Achievements

IHA has had a number of government affairs achievements in the last four years with some of the more notable victories discussed below. New UPU Agreement: The housewares industry realized a victory when the Universal Postal Union (UPU) agreed to revise international postal rates to stop discriminating against U.S. shippers. Founded in 1875, the UPU sets postal rates among…

Red Sea Attacks Continue

Carriers are facing many uncertainties as we enter 2024. Unstable freight rates caused by vessel overcapacity will be a major topic during the upcoming contract negotiation period. Experts are predicting a four-month window for most Asia to U.S. contract negotiations to be finalized starting January 1 and ending April 30. Unfortunately for the carriers, they don’t have a…

Carrier Optimism Wanes

As 2023 draws to an end, there is a lot of uncertainty on whether the 2024 Asia-to-U.S. market will be profitable or disastrous for the carriers. Unfortunately for the carriers, early warning signs indicate that the latter will prevail. The biggest issue carriers face is overcapacity. Until that issue is resolved, the carriers will continue to burn through cash. The carriers…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – December

November 30 – Get Ready for More ALDI Stores in December According to the company, its disciplined approach to operating with simplicity and efficiency is able to provide customers with the products they want at the lowest possible prices. From: Progressive Grocers November 30 – Kroger Q3 Beats Wall Street Despite Consumer Spending Reluctance Despite tighter consumer…

ADA Website Lawsuit Developments

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990 and its primary focus is Title III, which concerns accessibility for those with disabilities in public accommodations and commercial “brick and mortar” facilities. But the ensuing arrival of the internet and its new platform for selling products was seized upon by trial lawyers as a “target rich environment” for ADA…