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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.

Have A Library Card? Bake a Cake

Cake pan rentals are becoming the rage at local libraries. Packed up with instructions for baking and decorating, the pans are being offered by libraries nationwide and can be checked out with a basic library card. The Brookline, Mass. Public Library is on the leading edge of this lending trend offering some 50 pans to its members, ranging from Bundt pans to those embossed with…

Emeril Lagasse, Aarón Sánchez, Most Recent MasterChef Junior Winner Added to Cooking Theater Line-up

Famed chef Emeril Lagasse, Food Network chef Aarón Sánchez and, Addison, the most recent winner of MasterChef Junior, join the line-up of celebrity chefs appearing in the Cooking Theater at the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show, March 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Other chefs recently added include Ron Ben-Israel, host of the Food Network’s Sweet Genius and guest…

Stats: Millennials Not Starting Up New Households

Housewares retailers trying to sell to younger shoppers are stymied by the fact that even while the economy has rebounded, Millennials are still living with their parents. And that appears to be a trend that is going to have long-term effects on a number of markets, from retail to real estate. A report from the Pew Research Center shows that despite improvements in the labor…

Living the Dream

If Patricia Velez embarks on a new venture, her passion is the project’s driving force. Inspiring others has also always been paramount to her, and so her latest incarnation—as the founder and CEO of Ambiente Living —has meant bringing these two facets of her approach to life and work together. There are now 30 Ambiente Gourmet stores in Colombia and two Ambiente Living…

WELCOME THE NEW RESIDENCE INN LOOP TO THE HOUSEWARES BLOCK, A RESIDENCE INN UNLIKE ANY OTHER

Book now and enjoy these additional incentives: - Low rate of $175 + tax for all housewares guests. - Earn Marriott points by booking your stay at the Residence Inn Loop - An all-suite property that includes complimentary breakfast and in-room internet with your rate. Book You Discounted Room at Residence Inn Loop Where historical splendor meets modern amenities. It’s…

Thirty-five percent of Chinese online shoppers bought goods from overseas

China Daily Europe has reported that Chinese consumers are reaching across borders to buy products. Several findings include: The United States remains the most popular destination for Chinese cross-border online shopping, while in 2015 Japan and South Korea took second and third place respectively. The overall incidence of Chinese cross-border online shopping has increased…

John Lewis to enter Middle East with Dubai tie-up

Reuters recently reported that John Lewis Partnership, Britain's largest department store group, is to enter the Middle East market, opening an outlet in Dubai next year as it steps up the pace of global expansion. Reuters said that “the employee-owned firm said on Monday the 15,000 square feet space, its largest such overseas concession, will open within the new flagship…

Discovering Design: Eva Solo

For more than 100 years, the Danish company Eva Solo, founded in 1913, has believed that Good Design is Everything. Known for its distinctive functional and stylish products for kitchen, bath, home and garden, each Eva Solo product begins with an idea for an item that enhances life at home. Such good design results in beautiful products that are a joy to use and to own. Now…

Lowe’s, Home Improvement Retailer, to Buy Rona of Canada for $2.28 Billion

North Carolina-based retailer, Lowe’s announced that it has “reached a friendly deal to acquire Rona”, a Canadian chain. According to the New York Times, “The acquisition will make Lowe’s the dominant home improvement company in Canada.” Read more here. …