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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.

CHESS Speaker Profile: Brian Zueg

KEYNOTE: RETHINKING THE SHOPPER’S PATH TO PURCHASE Technology has dramatically changed shoppers’ path to purchase—and your opportunity to reach them. Google data can help you better understand how consumers research, compare and shop for housewares. In this keynote presentation, Brian Zeug will feature Google search data and new custom consumer housewares research that will…

CHESS Speaker Profile: Ryan Beach

A MULTI-CHANNEL RETAILER’S PERSPECTIVE In this session, learn more about Target’s focus on the changing needs of the Multi-Channel guest and what they are doing to respond to this evolution. Ryan Beach has spent 15 years in Merchandising at Target, including roles in Toys, Domestics, Decorative Home, School and Office and, most recently, Electronics and…

Online Marketing: A Win/Win for both Manufacturers & Retailers

By Larry Stopa and Adrian Bredeson, E-Power Marketing Within this Digital Education series, we are working to help IHA members understand all the possibilities online marketing presents to brands in the home and housewares industry. During our time at the International Home + Housewares Show, we met with a number of brands to discuss their marketing initiatives and we gave…

CHESS 2013 Keynote Session Puts Industry Decision Makers In Housewares Hot Seat!

Oct. 9 Panel Features Financial Experts Discussing Why You Should Sell Your Business at Least Once The impact of digital commerce is undeniable. What strategies are housewares execs using to optimize and control business in the vast digital marketplace without undermining a brick-and-mortar foundation? A panel of top industry leaders will address this issue and other hot topics…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: May’s Zona Libre & Free Trade Zone

HECNA Global Forum attendees had the opportunity today to visit the Colon Duty Free Trade Zone, located about one hour outside of Panama City. The Trade Zone is a key trans-shipment point where product suppliers and distributors hold products for re-shipment to their final destination. Customs duties are only paid once the product enters the final destination country. May's…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Table Top Show

Tuesday's final event was a tabletop trade show and reception where Global Forum attendees had the opportunity to showcase their products to more than XX buyers from YY countries. This three hour event provided the perfect compliment to the education received earlier in the day, giving HECNA members a unique opportunity to meet directly with buyer attendees. Key…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Global Trade Specialist Awards & New Board of Directors

Those earning HECNA Global Trade Specialists awards were honored today in Panama City at the Global Forum. HECNA members earn credits by attending official educational programs and by participating in trade missions and events. Four members achieved the Level 1 distinction by earning 20 credits, and one member achieved the Level 2 distinction by earning 40 credits. Level 1…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Market Reports Across the World, Part 3

This afternoon's program began with a presentation from Alejandro Lorenzo from Ace International. Highlights include: - Ace International has a network of 600 stores in 60 countries and operate in regions that have recently been given more purchasing autonomy. - They have over 3,500 items in stock in their warehouse in Panama, and…

Live from the HECNA Global Forum: Market Reports Across the World, Part 2

In the second half of this morning's session, Lucio Bernal, Home Sentry's General Manager, shared the story of this Colombian retailer and its growth from being hardware focused into a more full-line home products retailer. Free standing stores are approximately 30,000 square feet, and shopping mall stores are approximately 10,000 square feet. Home Sentry is transferring…