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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.

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. …

Trends: Working Moms, Rushed Consumers

As brick-and-mortar retailers, especially smaller ones, try to reach their primary shopper, they are competing for a person with very little time. Or at least that is how she perceives her situation. According to a recent study from the Pew Research Center, for full-time working mothers who balance their jobs and obligations ranging from child care to shopping, “feeling…

China’s Consumers Begin to Awake

Andy Kessler, former hedge fund manager, has a recent piece in the Op Ed section of the Wall Street Journal in which he says, “This trend toward consumerism is already under way—China’s big cities are plastered with ads for Porsche, Gucci and Apple products. Some 600 million Chinese have smartphones. Uber and local Didi Kuaidi are battling it out to offer rides. Airbnb is…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Udo Jansen, GfK Retail and Technology|GmbH

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator GfK, founded in 1934 in Germany, is one of the largest global marketing research companies. With more than 13,000 employees in countries on every continent, GfK identifies and develops strategic opportunities; collects and analyzes large data sets and offers business solutions in many areas from consumer experiences to supply chain…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Stephen Konkle, U. S. Small Business Administration

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Based in Chicago, Stephen Konkle is the Illinois District Office International Trade Officer at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Before joining the SBA, Konkle worked in treasury and accounting positions for manufacturing firms. He holds a B.A. in economics and an MBA in finance. Stephen, what is the most exciting or…

Sainsbury Agrees on $1.9 Billion Deal for Home Retail Group

The Wall Street Journal reports that UK supermarket retailer Sainsbury has struck a deal to buy Home Retail group, parent of UK retailer Argos. Details are available from the Wall Street Journal here. (Subscription required) IBC Members may view the Key Retail Profiles on Argos and Sainsbury here. If you are a current IBC Member and need assistance with your username and…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Stephen Reily, Vibrant Nation

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Stephen Reily was a male marketer in his early 40s who was surprised to learn that his global consumer packaged goods clients were ignoring some of their most profitable customers: women 45+. After asking women how they interacted in a marketplace that ignored them, he built Vibrant Nation as an online platform for them to support…