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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 Year-End Results

In a summary of 2018 year-end results and 2019 projections, four of IHA’s global partners give members an update of what happened in 2018 in their markets of responsibility as well as some indicators of what 2019 holds: Canada Based on conversations with retailers across the country, the 2018 holiday season in Canada was ‘okay’ or flat. Either on par or slightly below 2017,…

Global Retail Intelligence – February

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: February 19 – Co-op UK Expands Through Franchise Program Co-op UK will offer independent retailers the opportunity to become a part of the brand as it aims to expand beyond the plan to launch around 100 new stores in 2019. From European Supermarket Magazine February 16 – MediaMarkt to Take Over Tesco’s…

Breaking Down the Walls of Innovation: Secrets to Meaningful Product Development

IHA chatted with designer Rob Van Varick of the noted Michael Graves design firm to learn about how to discover opportunities for true innovation in new products, which he will discuss at the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics discussed will include design innovation, smart home,…

Creating SEO-Focused Content for Brands

IHA recently caught up with Jenny Guy and Stephie Predmore from Mediavine, speakers at our upcoming event, The Inspired Home Influencer Conference, which will kick off the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. Mediavine offers full service ad management including display ad optimization, video monetization and sponsored influencer marketing for 4,300 + publishers with a…

How to Pitch Brands and Accurately Price Your Work

IHA recently caught up with Anne Sage, a speaker at our upcoming event, The Inspired Home Influencer Conference, which will kick off the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. Anne has been blogging since 2008 with her signature smart yet stylish approach to fashion, interiors, entertaining and more. Be sure to check out her site: annsage.com What do you look for in…

Understanding & Refining Your Niche

IHA recently caught up with Beth Le Manach, a speaker at our upcoming event, The Inspired Home Influencer Conference, which will kick off the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. Beth has been cooking and entertaining for over 25 years, and runs a successful site, Entertaining with Beth. Her cooking philosophy is “minimal effort for maximum impact”, which translates into…

2019 Currency Outlook

In their 2019 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The Fed kept with the plan of raising interest rates four times, thus raising the USD by 3.4% Cryptocurrencies fell dramatically as did regular equity markets by year-end, with the Dow Jones…

Health and Wellness in the Age of Instagram

IHA chatted with registered dietician and certified personal trainer Kim Kirchherr to get a taste of her multi-layered perspectives about food and healthy lifestyles that she will present at the 2019 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics will include design innovation, smart home, digital…

Contract Negotiations Bring Many Questions for Shippers

The 2018 peak season in the Eastbound Transpacific market has thankfully come to an end. Carrier capacity constraints and an unprecedented increase in volume caused rates to skyrocket and created a space crisis that crippled US supply chains. Shippers are hoping that 2019 will offer some stability leading up to the 2019-20 ocean contract negotiations. Unfortunately, the one…