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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.

The Retail Happiness Quotient

By Perry Reynolds Vice President, Global Trade Development, IHA What makes independent stores tick? Why do the small business owners on Main Street USA continue to work to stay open even as they face stiff competition from retail behemoths on-line and big-box stores lining the malls? Perhaps it is because their stores make them happy. Independent retailers like listening to…

Retail Profile – Someone’s In The Kitchen

Retailer: Someone’s In The Kitchen Location: Rapid City, S.D. Owner: Ashley Berry Square feet: 5,000 sq. ft. Founded: 1998 When Ashley Berry bought Someone’s In The Kitchen in April 2012, the store had already been a mainstay of the area for 15 years. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Berry’s customers travel from miles around to visit the store, and Berry…

Stats: Slow Cookers Heat Up

While slow cookers have been around for 40 years, consumer interest in preparing freshly made meals has suddenly made the market for the product a hot one. New research from The NPD Group finds that consumers are either digging out their old cookers from the basement (81 percent of homes already own the appliance) or are buying new ones. In the 12 months ending June 15, 12.6…

Trends: Grilling Season Isn’t Over ‘til It’s Over

Football tailgating is helping to boost the amount of time consumers spend grilling outdoors, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, which estimates 80 percent of Americans own a grill. According to the association, events like tailgating parties, both at the stadium and at home, are part of the reason more consumers are extending the grilling season beyond…

SBA Support for Export Promotion – Financial Support for your Export Efforts

You may already be familiar with the Small Business Administration’s State Trade and Export Promotion Pilot Initiative (CFDA# 59.061). This program allows companies who are seeking to explore export markets to receive support from this combined state and federal government program. As their website states: The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program is a pilot export…

Design Stars – Winners of the 2015 gia Product Design Awards

2015 gia Product Design Awards - Discover Design, the premier design destination at the International Home + Housewares Show, offers a collection of companies showcasing the latest designs found in housewares. Exhibitors are based on recommendations from and approval by the retail and design community. At the 2015 Show, exhibitors in Discover Design were in contention for…

How China’s Currency Policies Will Change the World

China’s currency analyzed and how it will impact the entire world from an economic standpoint. Summary The recent fluctuations in China's currency typify the best and worst of a globalized world, where developments in one place can instantly change the political and financial calculations of governments in others. For most of human history, the communities, cultures and…

Chatting with Magisso

We are speaking with Juhani Sirén, Magisso’s CEO and founder. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland’s capital, Magisso was established in 2008 and began exhibiting at the International Home + Housewares Show the following year. Simple and smart, Magisso’s home goods products reflect the attitude and atmosphere expected of Scandinavian design. Their hand tools and kitchenware…

Down the Aisles: Hudson’s Bay

For most Canadians, Hudson’s Bay Company is a name that has been a part of their lives for as long as they can remember. The company, which is Canada’s longest continually running department store, was established in 1670. Since that day two and a half centuries ago, it has continued to expand and fine tune its innovative operations, firmly establishing itself as a brand that…