Porland of Turkey, one of the five gia Global Honorees this year, has a long, rich and colorful history. We look into what makes this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain stand out from the rest. by Michelle Hespe Porland’s logo features a ballerina executing a perfect pirouette. This elegant symbol conveys both beauty and strength, reflecting the grounding philosophy of this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain. The word…

CHESS 2019 – Retail’s Seismic Shift: Understanding the Forces Changing Housewares Consumers

Presented by: Michael Dart, Partner, Consumer/Retail Practice, A.T. Kearney Retail specialist and visionary, Michael Dart advises retail and consumer companies on how best to navigate retail’s seismic shifts. He combines his economics and finance training from Oxford University and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of experience consulting with A.T. Kearney and Bain & Co. to provide a unique…

Global Retail Intelligence – April

April 14 – JD.com Creates Offline Catering Supply Chain SolutionJD.com with Juqi, a dinning chain in Beijing, announced a supply chain cooperation, positioning JD.com as the first platform in China capable of providing a one-stop supply chain solution covering both the full category of food and materials supply, and integrated warehousing and distribution services. Through the cooperation, JD will also provide intelligent inventory…

Navigating The Wild West of Ocean Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Good Judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." — Will Rogers Here is how the modern shipping business mirrors the Wild West: 1. The “Gold Rush” Boom and Bust Cycles The Old West was defined by the gold rush with sudden, explosive wealth that created overnight millionaires, followed by devastating busts that left ghost towns behind. Shipping operates on the exact same…

IHA Plans Sourcing Mission to Vietnam

To help members investigate alternatives to sourcing from China, the International Housewares Association will hold a sourcing mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next year. The 2020 Vietnam Sourcing Mission will be offered in two sessions: April 20-22 or April 23-25. Each session is limited to just six companies to provide a high level of service and allow for private meetings and factory tours. The dates were chosen to allow…

Guide to Effective Retail Store Design

by Martin M. Pegler If RETAILING is your chosen path of livelihood, here are some simple guidelines you might like to consider when planning your retail store. 1. Let There Be Light! Without the proper light the merchandise cannot be seen or judged, colors cannot be appreciated, coordinates cannot be assembled, nor buying decisions made. Let your light be the best you can afford to install and use—or, if necessary, skimp on…

All Posts

IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

LOOK WHO’S COMING TO CHESS!

Author: Judy Colitz, Manager, Special Events and Executive Services Great news! It’s not too late to join industry decision-makers at IHA’s strategic and networking event of the Year! CHESS: Chief Housewares Executive SuperSession is a senior-level conference that was designed exclusively for you! CHESS is open to all IHA member companies. The two-day conference will be…

Carriers Will Decide Stability of Shipping Market

Author: Jeff Bergmann, International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) On June 4th, I wrote a blog titled “Container Space and Equipment Challenges Persist in Asia”. Almost four months have passed and many of the same challenges persist within the Asia - United States market. No doubt, the chaos experienced by shippers during the months of May, June, and July has…

Housing – The Benefits of Booking within the IHA Block

The International Housewares Association works hard to guarantee the lowest hotel rates in the city during the International Home + Housewares Show convention period. With 49 official block hotels to choose from, your housing options are wide-ranging. 12 of those properties have already reduced their rates from the original contracted rate – saving you up to 13%! Be sure to…

High Tech, High Touch: Today’s Post-Industrial Revolution

By Vicki Matranga, IHA Design Programs Coordinator The design world spun a little faster for four days in August, as professionals creating the future met in Portland, Oregon for DIY Design: Threat or Opportunity, the 2010 IDSA (Industrial Designers of America) conference. Portland, the country’s epicenter of Do-It-Yourself culture, inspired the participants who listened to…

HECNA Global Forum – Education, Networking & Buyer Connections

Author: Derek Miller, Vice President, International, International Housewares Association The Housewares Export Council’s (HECNA’s) mission statement, “a special interest group of IHA members, dedicated to helping its membership market and sell their products internationally by sharing information, providing networking opportunities and offering programs to assist, support…

Planning Ahead Saves Time & Money34 Weeks Until The 2011 International Home + Housewares Show

By: Marie Kulik, Manager, Exhibitor Business Development The 2011 International Home + Housewares Show will be held March 6 – 8 at McCormick Place, Chicago USA. This year we are pleased to announce our co-location with The Travel Goods Show, which will be located on Level 1 of the North Building. Strategic Alliance: International Home + Housewares Show and The Travel Goods…

Labor Reform at McCormick Place Exhibitors Will Save Money!

By: Mia Rampersad, Vice President, Trade Show In early June, the International Housewares Association announced it will remain in Chicago through 2016. The decision was made after the Illinois General Assembly passed McCormick Place reform legislation meant to reform labor rules and establish exhibitor rights that will ultimately provide cost-cutting opportunities. Show…

“Hot Housewares for the Holidays” Press Event

The International Housewares Association sponsors three press events a year in New York for Show Exhibitors and IHA members. The most recent event, Hot Housewares for the Holidays, was held June 10 at the Hilton New York and included 44 IHA-member companies showcasing their new products for the 4th-quarter gift-giving season. Here are reflections of the event from two…

Building Your Network: International Opportunities

Author: Derek Miller, Vice President, International, International Housewares Association It isn't just what you know, and it isn't just who you know. It's actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do... – Bob Burg (networking guru) Although the IHA doesn’t have keys to open every door in every international market, programs are in-place to provide international…

Perfectly Porland