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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.

Inspiring Innovation: An Interview with A.J. Riedel, Riedel Marketing Group

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods! Be sure to attend some of the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater. These programs will give you a new perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. The four…

THE C GENERATION

Have you heard of the X and Y Generations? Have you figured out yet who they are, what they are and if they are who your customers are—and if they are, how do you treat them? Well, forget the X and the Y and any other letter in the alphabet except for the letter C. According to some of the retail sages and solons, today’s shoppers are all part of the great new C Generation, and…

THE LANGHAM, Chicago – Number One Chicago Hotel on Trip Advisor

Since its grand opening in September 2013, The Langham, Chicago has quickly become a destination of choice as evident with its recent #1 status for best luxury hotel in Chicago on TripAdvisor. The Langham, Chicago features 316 luxurious guest rooms and suites ranging from the 516 sq. ft. Grand Room to the sprawling Infinity and Regent Suites each spanning 2,700 sq. ft.…

IHRA Chairman John Grob to Receive Gift for Life’s Lifetime Achievement Award

John Grob, founder of J. Grob Associates and chairman of the International Housewares Representatives Association (IHRA), will receive the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award from Gift for Life during the organization’s Party for Life Feb. 2 in New York City. Gift for Life, a charitable organization founded by gift and home industry professionals, brings the industry…

Going “GREEN” in Stores

by Martin M. Pegler There is hardly a single home or business publication that one picks up today that doesn’t have an article or two about “greening and sustainability.” Those two words are ubiquitous: seen, heard and talked about everywhere. More U.S. consumers are looking for “green” products and “green” products sold in “green” environments. For store designers, the goal…

From the World of Design And Fashion – Jörgen Eriksson

by Michelle Hespe Jörgen Eriksson has made his name in the retail industry for blending the things he is most passionate about in life – fashion and design – to create strong, successful brands that resonate with shoppers. Eriksson started out running his own business in fashion before moving on to a managerial role in duty-free stores at airports across Sweden. These…

IHA Trade Mission – United Kingdom

by Perry Reynolds The International Housewares Association sponsored a retail trade mission to the UK last month. If your company has never taken advantage of these missions, those who have will tell you that the missions are an excellent way to create and execute a plan to either open or improve your business in the market in which the trade mission takes place. Each Trade…

Welcome Back Millennium Knickerbocker!

IHA welcomes back the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago to the official block at the low starting rate of $129 a night. The addition of this historic property also coincides with its 87th anniversary celebration. The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago is located at the gateway to Magnificent Mile. This is a short distance from shopping, dining and many popular…

The Art and Heart of Branding

by Michelle Hespe Michelle Hespe catches up with Adrienne Weiss – a U.S. brand strategist, to talk about storytelling and her approach to branding. Adrienne Weiss and her team are legendary in branding in the U.S. and around the world. If you have eaten a burger or a donut, bought jeans or pumped your own gas, you have probably been up close and personal with brands they have…