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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.

Global Retail Intelligence – May

May 26 - Lisbon-based Startup Announced First Autonomous StoreLisbon-based startup Sensei has announced its first autonomous store opening to the public, in partnership with Portuguese retailer Sonae. Continente, the largest food retailer in Portugal is part of Sonae Group. From Retail Technology Innovation Hub May 26 – Marks & Spencer Reports Revenue…

The Party Is On Again

By Peter Giannetti My wife and I, like everyone, had to forgo many things the past 15 months. One thing our family and friends seemed to miss even more than we did was our annual holiday party. I’m sure it’s not extraordinary as holiday parties go, but it had become an automatic entry on our early December schedule. Its cancelation confirmed just how profoundly upended…

Keynote: Export Business Development: Blue Tiger International

By Peter Giannetti Historic supply chain disruption caused by soaring demand that is outpacing shipping capacity has elevated the dependence by consumer goods exporters on third-party export facilitators, said Thomas Cook, CEO and managing director of Blue Tiger International, a global supply chain consultant and service provider. Cook culminated the three-day Connect…

Market Opportunities – Taiwan, China, Australia/New Zealand and Canada

IHA International Offices and Representatives: Taiwan, China, Australia/New Zealand, Canada On May 19, IHA representatives based in Taiwan, China, Australia/New Zealand and Canada summarized the top five trends in each region. Information on regional responses to global economic challenges and consumer preferences provided valuable guidance for suppliers. Presenters also…

Market Opportunities – UK and Europe

IHA International Offices and Representatives: UK and Europe On May 19, IHA representatives presented market reports from more than 10 countries in Europe and UK. These summaries of the top five trends in each region offered valuable insights about consumer preferences and economic factors impacting retail developments. Presenters also included contact information for…

KEYNOTE: Key Market Update: Burton McCall, UK & Ireland

By Debbie Teschke Burton McCall is an independent, 60-year-old, family-owned specialty distribution company centrally located in the heart of England. It has an established multi-channel network with exclusive distribution agreements in the UK and Ireland, according to Michelle Dickinson, managing director at Burton McCall Ltd, during her keynote address on the second day of…

Market Opportunities – Latin America and India

IHA International Offices and Representatives: Mexico, South America, Columbia, Ecuador and India On May 19, IHA representatives presented market reports from Latin America and India. They discussed the top five trends in each region and outlined economic trends impacting retail developments. The presenters noted eating habits and purchasing behaviors that differed from…

KEYNOTE: Key Retailer Update Mercado Libre — LATAM

By Debbie Teschke Mercado Libre, the largest e-commerce retailer in Latin America, offers housewares suppliers access to a market of more than 636 million people in a region with one of the world’s fastest-growing Internet penetration rates. Mariano Migues, cross border trade manager at Mercado Libre, opened Connect GLOBAL, this year’s virtual edition of the International…

Off-Price Rethinks Its E-Commerce Resistance

by Peter Giannetti Off-price retailing for years has been an immovable brick-and-mortar object against the irresistible force of e-commerce. Such physical store reliance, though, was put to the test when most off-price stores had to close—without a meaningful digital commerce fallback—during the early months of the pandemic. Burlington Stores announced suspension of…