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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.

Retail Profile: Compleat Lifestyles

Retailer: Compleat Lifestyles Owner: Connie Stevinson Location: Centennial, Colorado Founded: 1984 (changed hands in 2011) Square footage: 5,000 sq. ft. (kitchenware store) The full name of her business says much about the way owner Connie Stevinson views the gourmet market: Compleat Lifestyles/Gourmet & Gifts and Home Accents. This umbrella concept is where shoppers…

THE LANGHAM, CHICAGO – Number One Hotel on Trip Advisor

Book now and enjoy these additional incentives: Book Early and enjoy a special low rate of $275 per night. Offer will expire on December 31st. Complimentary WiFi/Wired internet in guest rooms. Complimentary access to Chuan Spa & Health Club. Book Your Discounted Room at the Langham Chicago As an International Home + Housewares Show attendee, experience the timeless…

Cooking Up Atmosphere

In Hayden, Idaho, residents don’t have many options for fancy restaurant food. But they do have Tiffani Roesler and her store, Gourmet Way, which hosts cooking classes in the retailer’s big commercial kitchen. “You can’t just go and get Moroccan food here,” Roesler notes. “There aren’t that many places to eat out. So if you offer a Moroccan cooking clas,s you get a lot of…

Inspiring the Path to Purchase: Social Media Influencers

Meet Melissa Maker, the woman behind the Clean My Space YouTube channel, and Beth Le Manach, the woman at the helm of YouTube’s Entertaining with Beth. Millions of people view these clever cleaning and cooking queens online, making them some of today’s top social media influencers and YouTube stars. There is one obvious thing that Melissa Maker and Beth Le Manach have in…

The Westin Michigan Avenue: Enjoy the Comforts of Home and Technology

Take advantage of the early bird discounted rate with complimentary WiFi during your time in Chicago for the International Home + Housewares Show. Book now and enjoy these additional incentives: Early-Bird Rate starting at $179, limited time offer Complimentary WiFi/Wired internet in guest rooms Complimentary access to WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio Reserve a Discount…

Trends: More Men Shop for Groceries

Though women remain the primary influence on how family consumer dollars are spent, more and more men are taking on responsibility for food shopping for their households. Chicago-based Midan Marketing surveyed men across the country to find out what their shopping habits were like, coming up with a group profile called “Manfluencer.” A manfluencer steps up to help with…

Stats: Grilling Fires up Year Round

A survey from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association reported 2016 could be a banner year for gilling. The move to cook outdoors is fueled by the same passion consumers have to cook indoors, according to HPBA president and CEO Jack Goldman, “We think this trend owes a lot of peoples’ continued passion for culinary adventure and bringing out the flavor of their…

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These

Baking makes a home feel cozy and safe, producing a caring atmosphere full of love and nurturing. Because baking makes those who bake happy and those around them grateful, Manuela Kjeilen started baking more. It was her life’s passion, although at first she didn’t know it. Manuela baked because she wanted to give something – everything – to her family. And when that family…

2015 CHESS Conference Highlights – The Future of Retail: Implications for the Housewares Industry

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Dana Telsey, Retail Analyst, CEO and Chief Research Officer, Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) Joe Feldman, Senior Managing Director, Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) The second day of CHESS kicked off with a bird’s eye view of the retail environment, guided by Dana Telsey and Joe Feldman of the Telsey Advisory Group (TAG). Based in New…