All Posts

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

Port Congestion Going from Bad to Worse

Carriers will be increasing capacity from Asia to US West Coast ports by 22 percent. The influx of the additional capacity will last through the end of the year. US East Coast ports will also see an increase in capacity through the end of the year by 14 percent. Carriers had hoped these additional measures would help shippers meet the surging demand which is expected to last…

U.S.Retail Intelligence – August

August 30 – Dollar General Q2 Beats Street With Eyes On FutureDollar General, looking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, asserted that it is in good shape despite tough year-over-year comparisons. From: HomePage News August 29 – ShopRite Launches New 'Fresh to Table' In-Store ExperienceA Philadelphia ShopRite store introduces a meal solutions center with a host of fresh, on-trend…

Global Retail Intelligence – August

August 18 – Carrefour Belgium Introduces Eco-ScoreInitially launched in Belgium by Colruyt, followed by Lidl, Eco-Score is an ecological evaluation of products. Carrefour will launch this system by applying the score to rate a product’s sustainability to 1500 products online and plans to roll the program out to additional products and eventually to products sold instore.…

IHA Joins Coalition Backing Federal Bill Aimed at Curbing Unfair Ocean Shipping Practices, Charges

The International Housewares Association has joined a coalition of industry organizations in support of a new federal bill aimed at enacting sweeping changes to the law to curb unfair practices and charges by ocean carriers that have contributed to skyrocketing freight costs and extended delays for U.S.-bound containers. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 is set to be…

U.S.Retail Intelligence – July

July 30 – Infomercial King Ron Popeil Dies On Thursday, July 28, the 86-year old succumb to a brain hemorrhage at a Los Angeles hospital. From: Kitcheware Today July 30 – Amazon Forecasts Slower Growth as it Laps Last Year’s Insane Online Sales Gains Pandemic infused growth will revert to the mean. But more interesting is, did it match with the overall retail slowdown?…

California Bill Would Place New Requirements on Cookware

A bill in the California legislature, California Assembly Bill 1200 (AB 1200), would place new requirements on cookware sold in that state containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. Introduced in March 2021 by Assemblyman Phil Ting, the bill would actually address two supply chains by prohibiting the use of PFAS chemistries in food packaging beginning on Jan.…

Supply Chain Woes Continue

The shipping environment is wreaking havoc on US importers trying to get products into their supply chains prior to the upcoming holiday season. To make matters worse, there is no end in sight to the shipping turmoil facing shippers. Logistic experts are predicting the current turmoil will last at a minimum through February 2022. Shippers have been left wondering how Asia to…

IHA Partners with GMDC|Retail Tomorrow on Fall Strategic Meetings

Virtual sessions will promote industry connectivity, accelerate long-term business strategies, address opportunities for growth and vision for 2022 By Debbie Teschke ROSEMONT, IL — Leading retail industry trade associations Global Market Development Center (GMDC)|Retail Tomorrow and International Housewares Association (IHA) have partnered to facilitate GMDC|Retail…

Global Retail Intelligence – July

July 15 – Spain’s Eroski Caprabo to Increase AssortmentSpain’s Caprabo, under the Eroski, the umbrella has announced that is offering its new, enhanced range of products to more stores across its network. The expanded its range to approximately 12,500 products. From European Supermarket Magazine July 15 – Portugal’s Pingo Doce Allows Customers to Bring Their Own ContainersIn…