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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.

Peter Giannetti Joins International Housewares Association

Industry veteran will lead news, content and education efforts at the Association ROSEMONT, IL (Feb. 18, 2021) –The International Housewares Association announced today that Peter Giannetti will join the organization as Director, Editorial, Content and Education. In this role, Giannetti will oversee development and delivery of industry-wide content and resources intended to…

Global Retail Intelligence – February

February 17 – Tesco Stores Renamed Across Southeast AsiaCP Group has renamed its Tesco stores across Southeast Asia to Lotus’s. The rebranding follows the USD 10.6 billion acquisition of Tesco’s Asian operations in Thailand and Malaysia in 2020. From Inside Retail February 15 – South Africa’s ShopRite Sees Profits GrowSouth Africa’s ShopRite Holdings announced that profits…

Biden Administration Workplace Rule Changes

One policy area that’s seeing a big shift in Washington, DC, involves workplace rules and regulations. The Biden Administration, along with the Democratic sweep of Georgia’s two Senate seats, will add impetus to legislative and regulatory labor law changes concerning overtime pay; what constitutes a joint-employer; the test to determine an independent contractor vs. an…

IHSA Declares 2020 Refund

The surge in US imports over the last six months has been unprecedented and is causing problems in all facets of the supply chain. Carriers are telling importers to expect this highly volatile market to last through the 2021 Chinese New Year. A few carriers are suggesting this volatility will last through October 2021. Through all the volatility, the support of IHSA’s…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – January

January 29 – Walmart Enhances Media Operation To Connect Brands With CustomersWalmart has renamed the company’s media group Walmart Connect in a move to underscore its expanding ability to connect brands and its 150 million weekly customers. From: HomeWorld Business January 29 – Coca-Cola, Walmart Team up to Deliver Coffee-Flavored Soda Via DroneCompanies testing commercial…

Global Retail Intelligence – January

January 20 – Walmart’s Flipkart Puts Fresh Foods Platform on HoldIndia-based Flipkart has put its plans on hold to establish a fresh food platform to sell directly to consumers. Walmart-owned Flipkart has said that it will be difficult to drive traffic and find synergies with its current ecommerce marketplace. From ET Retail January 19 – Alibaba/Tmall Announces Support for…

Housewares Industry Rises to Challenges of Pandemic Year, Prepares for What 2021 May Bring

Focus on supply chain management, a truly omni-channel marketplace and changing consumer wants/needs (for now) ROSEMONT, IL (Jan. 20, 2021)– If there was one universal lesson from 2020, it was the importance of being adaptable. This was, after all, the year when a pandemic quickly took over the world – complete with retail and manufacturing shutdowns, combined with…

Summary of Key Business Provisions in the “Coronabus” Package

On Dec. 21, 2020, Congress passed the $2.3 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 133 (a/k/a “Coronabus”), a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill merged with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for FY21. The 5,593-page legislative package was signed by the President on Dec. 27 and following is a summary of key provisions for IHA members: COVID Relief…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – December

December 30 – Jill Soltau Leaves Her Role as J.C. Penney CEOJ.C. Penney's new owners, mall REITs Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, on Wednesday, said they have launched a search for a new chief executive officer to replace Jill Soltau, who is leaving Thursday. From: Retail Dive December 28 – Retail Furloughs Snowball as Kohl's, Gap Extend Store…