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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.

Designer + Kickstarter = Entrepreneur: How to Launch A Company with Kickstarter

One of the more dynamic and attention grabbing ways to develop and market new products today is Kickstarter, a web-based home that funds creative products including films, games, art, design, technology and, yes, housewares. Three entrepreneurs who raised funds on Kickstarter for their products – silicone baking sheets with the accent on design and functionality, an…

Two Fat Pigs in the Python

The Baby Boomers, the large population growth that began after World War II, has long been known as the “pig in the python”—an image depicting the pig (the huge, sharp population growth) swallowed by the python (the world) and moving through it gradually, having an enormous impact on consumer needs, preferences and spending. Now there’s another pig: Millennials. Put the two…

Win at Dreaming – Identifying Passion Points for Market Share Growth

Housewares suppliers today are trying to woo a unique aspirational society by developing passion points that are meaningful to each consumer generation and their retail experiences, said Susan Yashinsky of Sphere Trending. Due to the incredible boom in new technology, particularly smart phones and other digital communication, consumers went too far one way, “sleeping with…

Five Minute Interview with Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless

Rick Bayless has made a career out of Mexican food. From owning restaurants, to TV appearances, shows of his own and award-winning books and cooking lessons that inspire and educate, his world revolves around Mexican culinary offerings. IHA catches up with Chef Bayless at the Show. You were one of the first celebrity chefs to engage with media and you've stayed on top of that.…

The Internet of Things at Your Door

As the Internet of Things becomes more tangible for consumers and more household products become “smart,” there is huge potential for the housewares industry, said a panel of manufacturers, consumer editors and technology experts. But housewares manufacturers will need to be smart, as well, about introducing those “smart” housewares products to consumers, the panelists said.…

Rethinking the Shopper’s Path to Purchase

Because our digital world of smartphones, tablets, laptops/PCs, and connected/streaming TV activity has dramatically changed how consumers shop for housewares, it is imperative that housewares executives reach shoppers before products hit the shelves. In addition, research from Google shows that people are increasingly looking to reflect their own style in the brands they…

Design Your Business and Brand for Higher Values and Profits

Howard Lim, founder of How Creative, wants to know how housewares companies define success. Is it higher profits, more customers, being recognized as an industry leader, more time with your loved ones and less time at the office or making a difference in humanity? Whatever the goals, Kim says companies can accomplish them with a holistic branding plan that is built into the…

License to Thrill: Wowing Consumers With Brands That They Know And Love

Consumers once were largely unaware of brands and their strength as pillars of self identify, but today they consciously want branded products that make them feel good about their purchases for that reason. That affinity is responsible for billions of dollars in sales every year through licensing and brand extension, a panel of licensing experts said. Consumers buy licensed…

The American Living Survey: Kitchen Life

The kitchen, long a bastion of uniformity with few product choices and a narrow use has turned into a prime living and entertainment space full of color and new devices, according to the American Living Survey conducted by Design Research. “Where once you had a very simple kitchen, where the tiles were all the same, the floor was one material and the countertop was all one…