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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.

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…

Chicago – Inspiration by Restaurants

by Michelle Hespe Celebrity chefs, world-renowned restaurants, ethnic dining from around the globe. Chicago's dining scene is unparalleled and interesting even from a design and architecture point of view. Appetite for Design is a fantastic initiative created by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, marrying great design and architecture with innovative dishes…

A Picture Worth a Few Hundred Words

by Martin M. Pegler Seeing is believing and seeing what a great display a shadowbox can be is almost un-believable. Grange Interiors in the Aberdeen section of Hong Kong uses simple, four-sided boxes designed by Stefano Tordiglione Design Studio. These boxes are backless and the wall can be seen through them. The backless boxes, which allow the wall to be seen through their…

HYATT REGENCY CHICAGO – Downtown Chicago Luxury

Located in the heart of downtown just steps from the Magnificent Mile, the Hyatt Regency Chicago recently dedicated over $168 million toenhancing all aspects of their guest experience, including a welcoming lobby, engaging check-in pods and new restaurant concepts and menus. Indulge in spacious and sophisticated guest rooms – newly renovated guest rooms feature a contemporary…