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IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

Navigating a Dynamic Landscape in China and Southeast Asia

The evolving landscape in China and Southeast Asia, while presenting new complexities, also offers opportunities for IHA and IHSA members to adapt and succeed. This year's contract negotiations, although responses by carriers were later than usual, may provide valuable insights that could enhance our future strategies and lead our carriers toward a course correction. We…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – June

May 30 – Variety Wholesalers Plans Final Wave of Big Lots Reopening’s on June 5 The success of the Big Lots reopening effort has spurred the retailers new owner, Variety Wholesalers, to explore options for acquiring additional Big Lots locations, the parent company said. From: HomePage News May 30 – Placer.ai: Are Malls Cool Again? Empty anchor implants like…

Tariff and Tax Policy Developments: IEEPA and Higher Steel Tariffs

On May 28, 2025, the Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled unanimously to end President Trump’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs. The three-judge panel found IEEPA did not grant unbound authority to tax imports from nearly every country around the world. No president had tried to use 1977’s IEEPA for tariffs perhaps because it doesn’t mention…

Uncertainty Delays Signing of Annual Service Contracts

The ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing, including decoupling tariff rates and USTR 301 increases in port fees and charges, is causing uncertainty and delaying the signing of annual service contracts between ocean carriers and importers, primarily in the eastbound trans-Pacific trade. When will we see a reduction in the tariffs with China? As Yogi Berra once…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – May

April 30 – Import Gains Ahead of Tariffs Contributed to GDP Decline in Q1 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported real gross domestic product decreased at an annual rate of 0.3% in 2025’s first quarter. From: HomePage News Burlington on Lease-Buying Spree — to Assume 45 Joann Leases Burlington will take over the leases, which are for stores across the country,…

USTR’s Final Actions on China Shipbuilding and Port Fees

On Feb. 21, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) requested comments on proposed actions under Sec. 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to end China’s practices for global domination of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. This culminated a year-long investigation that started when five labor unions petitioned USTR to probe China’s grip on shipping and…

IHA Tariff Webinar and New Reciprocal Tariffs

On March 27, the IHA Government Affairs team conducted the webinar, “Tariff Update from Washington, DC,” to provide basic information on President Trump’s tariffs. Executives from freight logistics services provider TQL Global, LLC, also provided their experience with the tariffs. The IHA webinar covered the 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada; 20% tariffs on China; 25% tariffs…

Rate Levels: Uncertainty

We've seen some interesting movements in ocean freight rates lately. It seems like carrier capacity control has been a bit lacking since the Chinese New Year, with a 14% year-over-year increase in capacity. To get those spot rates back in line, carriers are starting to blank/void sailings, which is something we're already observing. And hold onto your hats, because carriers…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – April

March 31 – Williams-Sonoma Says Tariffs Present Opportunity Supply chain efficiencies and moving sourcing away from China are giving the home goods retailer a leg up. From: Supply Chain Dive March 31 – Numerator: Target’s Urban Growth Narrows the Gap with Suburban Shoppers The market researcher reported that 68% of Target customers are homeowners, with 39%…