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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.

A Look Back at “Mad Men” Era Housewares

By Vicki Matranga, H/IDSA, Design Programs + Services Innovation + Design = Success Innovation and design drive the housewares industry today. Consumers and retailers are always looking for unique new products to brighten their homes and lighten their work. To add excitement to the International Home + Housewares Show and to recognize current design and innovation in…

Retail News from Around the World

John Lewis sees strong sales of baking products The popular BBC2 television series “The Great British Bake Off” is helping to drive sales on baking products at John Lewis. Measuring cups and spoons, palette knives, rolling pins, stand mixers and blowtorches are among the top sellers, according to Rebecca Fletcher, the department store group’s assistant buyer for…

IHA Trade Event Recap – Japan

From September 29-30, the International Housewares Association led a trade mission in Tokyo to introduce members to the Japanese market. This two-day event started with a retail tour to offer a competitive benchmarking review of the following retailers: Isetan, Takashimaya, Tokyu Hands, Loft, and Actus. The group also made cultural stops along the way with brief visits to…

IHA Pavilion Recap – Interior Lifestyle China

The International Housewares Association hosted a pavilion at the Interior Lifestyle China trade fair from September 25 – 27. Six IHA-member companies – Wilton, MadeSmart, InterDesign, Smith’s / KitchenIQ, Hampton Forge and Trudeau – took part in this exhibition, focused on selling within the Chinese market. According to Messe Frankfurt, the fair had a total of 282 exhibitors…

CHESS Speaker Profile: Marshal Cohen

3D RETAILING: Retail Opportunities for Today & Tomorrow In this insightful session, Marshal Cohen will share his perspectives on winning in the real-time retailing game of thrones. In this era of “more,” the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction and you need to be prepared with information and insights to create a winning game plan. How do you keep your customer…

IHA’S JENNIFER LAMBERG LOSES HER BATTLE WITH CANCER

With deep sadness, the International Housewares Association announces the passing of Jennifer Lamberg on Sunday, Sept. 29 after a brief illness. Jennifer was executive assistant to IHA President & CEO Phil Brandl and Judy Colitz, manager, special events & executive services. She joined IHA in 2001. Jennifer touched many lives in the industry through her…

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…