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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.

Lost in translation – Wal-Mart stumbles hard in Brazil

Reuters reported today that Wal-Mart’s challenges in Brazil continue to grow. The story says that “Some securities analysts have speculated Wal-Mart could exit Brazil, as well as other markets in Latin America where it is already closing an additional 55 stores.” For more information, please click here. …

Brazil Retail Sales Fell 4.3% in 2015

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that “Brazilian retail sales declined in 2015 for the first time in more than a decade, as Latin America’s largest economy shows no signs of recovery from recession. “Retail-sales volume fell 4.3% last year, compared with the prior year’s expansion of 2.2%, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, or IBGE, said Tuesday.…

Discovering Design 2016: Meet French Bull

French Bull debuted in 2002 with a line of tableware acclaimed for its mastery of pattern and color. Today, the company’s celebratory style and LIVE VIVID™ message can be found across a wide range of categories including kitchen appliances, home decor, and fashion accessories. French Bull’s distinctive designs in melamine dinnerware and accessories such as kitchen textiles…

Inspire Your Customers Now to Create Sales in the Future

As a retailer, I want to live in a world where my existence contributes not only to the lives of my customers but to the greater good. I don’t want to live in a world where I am perceived as pushing “stuff” on customers who don’t need it. This most certainly should not be the case, but instead, inspire customers to create sales in the future. Decor that is more than skin…

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…