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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.

CIT – Growth Financing Opportunities for Housewares Companies

With globalization, most companies now compete on an international basis. As brands gain acceptance, companies seek to grow their revenues by pursuing growth on two fronts – domestically and globally. The International Housewares Association has had several forums about international sales in the housewares industry. The need to ship to customers on open credit terms has…

Parisian Chic: Merci

Michelle Hespe speaks to Jean-Luc Colonna d’Istria, Executive Vice President of Merci in Paris. The impressive retail store was one of six Global Honorees at the 2014 gia Global Innovation Awards in Chicago, held during the International Home + Housewares Show. Since 2009, fashion, design and food lovers have been drawn to a store that has smoothly forged ahead in an area of…

Homewares Retail, Italian Style: Galleria Fiaba

Michelle Hespe checks out one of Italy’s finest retail stores — Galleria Fiaba — which was one of six Global Honorees at the 2014 gia Global Innovation Awards held in Chicago. The spectacular façade and the name of Galleria Fiaba, which is situated in the historical center of Vittoria, Sicily, reflects the overall store’s approach to retail: to be like a gallery showcasing…

LIVE from the IBC Global Forum: Market Overview – Brazil, Paulo Kruglensky, Etna

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Paulo Krugelsky, CEO of Etna, outlined the Brazilian retailer’s position in its market region. Based in Sao Paulo, Etna has grown rapidly in ten years and now operates 18 outlets in the major cities of 12 Brazilian states. Brazil’s long-term fundamentals are strong and its political and economic…

LIVE from the IBC Global Forum: Eva Krejčová, UTC, Czech Republic

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Eva Krejčová has worked in the trade business since 1991, after she completed her study of economics at Russia’s St. Petersburg State University.As import/export manager at UTC, Ms. Krejčová procures products locally and sells products into the Central and Eastern European region. UTC is the…

LIVE from the IBC Global Forum: Alexander Gorun, CHEF Ltd., Russia

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Moscow-based Alexander Gorun studied international relations in Kharkov, Ukraine at the International Slavic University. In 2004 he receivedhis master’s degree in management from the Moscow Aviation Institute where he then joined its faculty to teach economics and management. Before heading sales for…

LIVE from the IBC Global Forum: Mark Zhang, DUHUB International, China

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Wednesday, June 18, 2014 After an exciting first day of sessions and yesterday’s deep dive into the customer-centered marketing approach presented by Jonathan Knowles,Day 2 of the IBC Global Forum offers five country market overviews from retailers in China, Russia, Brazil, Czech Republic and Australia. Mark Zhang,…

LIVE from the IBC Global Forum: Robert Parker, General Trader Group, Australia

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Robert Parker has been involved in the Australian homewares industry for more than 40 years. He served as president of the Tasmanian Divisionof the Australian Retailers Association and has been a long-time member of the association’s governing National Council. In 2011 when Mr. Parker merged his…

LIVE from the IBC Global Forum: Mark Ladham, Retail Overview Safat Home, Kuwait

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 by Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Mark Ladham, senior general manager of Safat Home’s Home Division, has more than 25 years of retail experience. Safat Home is part ofAlghanim Industries, a privately owned, multi-national enterprise with business operations in multiple sectors including housewares retail in Kuwait. With two large stores…