All Posts

IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

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…

A Picture Worth a Few Hundred Words – One Prop Does It All

Wouldn’t it be just wonderful if that was true! Imagine putting a decorative prop in your window and being able to leave it there almost all year —and still get a positive reaction from the shoppers on the street after all that exposure. Not easy—but it can be done. The Jumbo shop, the 2015 gia Global Honoree from Turkey, is an excellent example for how it can be and was…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Jens Bauerle, Global Brand Vision

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Jens is founder and owner of Global Brand Vision, an international retail consultancy specializing in assisting retailers to address their difficulties and growth opportunities in home products. The highly qualified team works together with clients to evaluate, change, and develop product assortments, visual merchandising, and…

IHA’s Judy Colitz Passes Away

With profound sadness, the International Housewares Association announces the passing of Judy Colitz on Tuesday, Jan. 26 from complications of breast cancer. Judy served as manager, special events & executive services. She joined IHA in 1993 in the membership services department and over the years has served as manager of membership services and manager of executive…