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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.

The Future of Omni-Channel Fulfillment

Today’s consumers shop at home 24/7 to compare products before purchase and they visit brick-and-mortar stores with specific goals in mind. They fill their shopping carts by clicking screens while on the go and by choosing items as they stroll through physical stores. At IHA’s 2016 CHESS conference, October 6-7, in Rosemont, Ill., housewares industry executives will learn…

IHA Members Visit Mexico’s Home and Housewares Market, Meet With Key Decision Makers During Trade Mission

Eleven housewares suppliers looking to enhance their international business took part in a trade mission to Mexico August 21 to 26 sponsored by the International Housewares Association. Participating were: Allied Kitchenware Company International, Gondol Plastik, Honey-Can-Do, Marcato, Maverick Housewares, Patisse Nederland, Picnic Time, Progressive International, Spectrum…

Hanjin Financial Issues

Although the International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) does not have a contract with Hanjin, we wanted to address their current financial situation. As expected, Hanjin did file for court receivership on August 31 after losing support of its banks. The court will decide whether Hanjin will continue to operate or be dissolved. This process normally takes two months…

Preparing for Risks in Unpredictable Times

Rarely have business leaders faced so many uncertainties about the future in domestic and global issues. Yet business leaders must make decisions and plan for the future in our turbulent geopolitical environment. The 2016 CHESS conference, October 6-7, in Rosemont, IL, offers top-level presentations for housewares industry executives. On Thursday, October 6 economist Bernard…

IHA Announces Prop 65 Protection Insurance for Members

The International Housewares Association is partnering with Wells Fargo Insurance to provide a new insurance program that can help members mitigate their liability under the California Proposition (Prop) 65 legislation. The Prop 65 Protection Program provides protection from the costs associated with defending a Prop 65 lawsuit specific to plasticizers, including fines,…

Mounting Losses Persist for Container Lines

Carrier profitability, or lack of profitability, is causing uncertainty with shippers heading into the busiest shipping period of the year. After reaching historical lows, container rates from Asia to United States have stabilized. Although stabilized, the rates have not rebounded to profitable levels. Hanjin and Hyundai are two carriers that have been fighting off bad…

Trade Publication Hotel Distribution at the 2017 Show

Six trade publications have been approved for distribution at official Show hotels during the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show. The publications are: Gourmet Insider, HFN, HomeWorld Business, Health & Beauty Executive, Housewares Executive and Kitchenware News & Housewares Review. To learn about specific advertisement details, hotels, frequency and number of…

Trends: Eating Where You Shop

More people are eating where they shop these days, especially Millennials, a generation prized by retailers for its size and potential consumerism. Overall, in-store dining and take-out of prepared foods from grocers has grown nearly 30 percent since 2008, accounting for 2.4 billion foodservice visits and $10 billion of consumer spending in 2015, according to a recently…

Stats: Test Your ‘Cue IQ

How well do you know grilling? The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association has launched an online quiz to test Barbecue IQ. Those who take the quiz learn not only their “IQ,” but also get tips on how to up their barbecue game, as grilling season peaks during the summer. The online quiz can be found at www.hpba.org/Barbecue-IQ . You can prepare for the quiz by checking…