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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.

Special Spaces

by Michelle Hespe The 2019 gia Global Honoree Futako Tamagawa Tsutaya Electrics from Japan is part of a new wave of retailers that understand that to survive in this industry, you can no longer simply sell products. This company has further raised the bar, creating an enticing society for its customers. Don’t be fooled by the name of the store – Futako Tamagawa Tsutaya…

June Currency Outlook

In their June 2019 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The USD reached its strongest level in 2019, dwindling in the final day of MayAfter major swings, the USD rose by less than half of a percentage according to the Bloomberg Dollar Spot…

Global Retail Intelligence – June

June 19 – Germany’s Metro Expands in MyanmarMetro Wholesale Myanmar is seeking to expand its operations in Myanmar, aiming to open in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Taunggyi and other major metropolitan locations in the region. From Consult Myanmar June 17 – Costco to Open Its First Store in ChinaFive years after Costco opened its first online store in China, it plans to open…

Decidedly Danish

by Michelle Hespe When Bahne was established in 1965 in Denmark, they were already ahead of the game and vastly different from other retail outlets. The business was not just focused on offering customers a store filled with products that they could purchase, but rather, on creating an experience for shoppers. This might be a typical approach in retail now, but it certainly…

2019 Global Forum Offers Educational Sessions on Global Markets

Housewares suppliers new to the international arena or veteran sales executives wanting to grow their global business will benefit from the 2019 IBC Global Forum, to be held Sept. 15-17 in San Diego, Calif at The Guild Hotel. Overviews by housewares buyers and distributors covering Asia, Spain and the United Kingdom along with sessions on opportunities in key markets around the…

Stats: NPD Details What is Selling at Retail

The NPD Group’s home division presented its sixth annual industry performance awards during the International Home & Housewares Show this past March. Awards were given to small appliance and housewares (non-electric) brands with the largest increase in U.S. market share in 2018, compared to 2017, according to dollar sales from NPD’s Retail Tracking Service. Three…

May Currency Outlook

In their May 2019 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The USD had another month of swings, rising .8% in AprilEconomic performance divergence is a strength for the USD as other currencies struggleBased on Latin safe-haven and oil prices, the Mexican…

U.S. Custom and Border Protection: Steps to Protect Intellectual Property Rights

The Custom and Border Protection (CBP) encourages the usage of their e-Recordation Program to help copyright owners gain enforcement of intellectual property rights. The CBP has the right to detain, seize, forfeit and destroy any merchandise that enters the U.S. if it infringes on trademark or copyright that has been registered. In order to do so, the trademark…