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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.

2015 IBC Global Forum: Miguel Mesinas, ICONO Comercial

Kicking off day two at this year’s IBC Global Forum here in Mexico City, the audience of global business professionals heard from Miguel Mesinas, General Director of ICONO Comercial who discussed the positioning of brands in the Mexican market. Among his observations regarding the Mexico market were: -Big changes are afoot -Crate & Barrel is in Mexico City but results…

2015 IBC Global Forum: Ben Phillips, Steamer Trading

Following Dr. Ettenson’s presentation to the Global Forum, Ben Phillips, Managing Director of Steamer Trading, a leading retailer for housewares and home products in the United Kingdom offered the group his insights on the UK market and his strategic vision for Steamer Trading. His key points included: - Steamer Trading currently has 34 stores in the UK (although none in…

2015 IBC Global Forum: Dr. Richard Ettenson, Thunderbird School of Global Management

The 2015 IBC Global Forum kicked off yesterday in Mexico City with a tour the retail marketplace with stops at many of Mexico City’s key housewares retailers. See the listing for a taste of some of the retailers we visited. The annual Global Forum is sponsored by The International Business Council, a member group of the International Housewares Association (IHA) focused on…

E-Commerce in Mexico

Electronic retailing is a dynamic growth sector in Mexico’s economy. Global power players such as Walmart, Amazon, eBay and Alibaba are staking their territories; big box stores such as Best Buy and Lowe’s are investing as well. Retailers native to Mexico and local brands are also capturing market share. Reporter Nathaniel Parish Flannery digs into the details…

International Trade Association of Greater Chicago Addresses Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Issues

Luncheon Program June 17th in Rosemont at Carlucci’s Restaurant The EU-US trade relationship is the biggest in the world. Traded goods and services between the two partners are worth €2 billion daily. Negotiations related to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have been underway for several years. A major point of contention is the treatment of Non-Tariff…

Pace Solutions International: Global Distribution Network Expansion

Doug Taeckens, a former IHA Board liaison to the IBC, has started an international sales consulting practice: Pace Solutions International. Acting as your VP International Sales he will build a global distribution network expanding sales into appropriate markets. Doug has extensive international sales experience working with Housewares and Gift channel distributors. He has…

2015 IBC Global Forum Speaker Overview

The 2015 International Business Council (IBC) Global Forum will take place in Mexico City on June 14-16. All IHA members who are interested in growing their international sales should attend to learn from and network with industry peers and key retailers. High-profile topics and speakers confirmed to present include: Executive Education: Brand Portfolio Management: It’s…

2015 IBC Global Forum Program Overview

The 2015 International Business Council (IBC) Global Forum will take place in Mexico City on June 14-16. All IHA members who are interested in growing their international sales should attend to learn from and network with industry peers and key retailers. The three-day conference has several educational and networking elements including: IBC 101: International Essentials IBC…

Exports to Mexico – Positive Reports

One of the world’s most dynamic trading relationships exists between the U.S. and our neighbor to the south, Mexico. With approximately $ 1.5 billion in goods crossing our borders daily, Mexico is the U.S.’ third largest trading partner and second largest export customer. Much of Mexico’s economic progress in recent years has come through the integration of the North American…