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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.

Is Your Company Prepared for SOLAS?

If your company ships ocean containers, you need to prepared for SOLAS. Effective July 1, 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be enforcing a new regulation in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). This new regulation mandates that shippers provide a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for every container as a condition for loading onto a ship for export. VGM…

Inspiring the Industry – Leatrice Eiseman

For anyone involved in retail or a creative industry, or simply anyone with a love of color, Pantone and Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman need no introduction. The author of nine books on color, a color consultant to industry and a regular speaker around the globe at retail trade shows, as well as the originator of color training programs held twice a year, Eiseman has been inspiring…

Sessions on International Sales Issues, Global Markets

Housewares suppliers new to the international arena or veteran sales executives wanting to grow their global business will benefit from IHA’s 2016 Global Forum, to be held June 8-10 at the Warwick Allerton Hotel in Chicago. Overviews by key housewares buyers covering China, Denmark, Honduras, Indonesia, Norway and Sweden along with sessions on critical international business…

Webinar: How to Submit Your Space Application

Learn how to navigate your way through the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show space application! Join us for an informative webinar that will walk you step by step through your space application for the 2017 Show. This live webinar will allow you to ask real time questions, understand your payment options and highlight deadline dates. Wednesday, May 25, 2016 12:00 -…

Growing Global Sales

Once a year, international business professionals from the housewares industry gather at the IBC Global Forum to increase their global sales through education and networking. For more than 20 years, the International Business Council (formerly HECNA) has put together a strong, multi-day event to provide attendees with the tools needed to succeed in the global economy. And…

Take a Bite of 2016: A Savory, Sustainable Palette

Food-driven consumers are keeping excitement growing for chefs as well as for those who find themselves in a position to continue to educate but now have a decade of food-inspired consumers who are craving not only great recipes but also inspirational ingredients as new food trends emerge. “With what's going on in the world, it's very interesting to see that food is trending…

Lake Living

The Lakehouse from Canada was one of the five global honorees at this year’s IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia). The store reflects the spirit of the community in which it’s based, inspiring locals with products to suit their lifestyle, and offering tourists a taste of lake living that they can take home. Five years ago, Sue and Ben Boschman were at the International Home +…

Seven Decades of Style

This year, Illums Bolighus not only celebrated seven successful decades in the retail business, but also became one of the top retailers in the world at the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia). When the Marketing Manager of Illums Bolighus, Sofie Molls, took to the stage at the IHA Global Innovation Awards in Chicago, there was a palpable sense of elation in the air. After a…

IHSA Finalizes Ocean Contract Negotiations

After two months of negotiating with ocean carriers, the International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) is pleased to report that contract negotiations have been finalized. IHSA’s 2016-17 ocean carrier program offers rates and services with 11 different ocean carriers capable of providing service to and from every major trade lane in the world. The contract rates are…