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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.

U.S. Retail Intelligence – March

February 29 – How Sam’s Club Is Transforming the Customer Experience The retailer is embracing technology applications in its quest to make shopping and working even easier, including robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI). From: Progressive Grocer February 29 – Dollar General Reaches 20,000 Stores with New Texas Location DG Markets are a…

State Recycled Content Laws

Laws requiring certain percentages of post-consumer resin content in plastic packaging are gaining traction in some states. According to the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), by late 2023, seven states were in various stages of implementing such laws, with existing laws in CA, ME, WA and NJ, and a new law in CT and proposed laws in MD and NY. State laws in effect…

Congress Begins Moving a Bipartisan Tax Bill

On January 17, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced bipartisan, bicameral tax legislation, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (TRAFA). To summarize, TRAFA would extend three business tax breaks from 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and expand the child tax credit, with…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – February

January 30 – Dollar General Surpasses Milestone of 5,000 Stores Nationwide Offering Fresh Produce. Dollar General has surpassed its latest milestone, now offering fresh produce options in more than 5,000 stores across the country. From: Drugstore News January 30 – Lowe’s Taps TikTok to Connect with Existing and Potential Employees The Lowe’s TikTok account includes more…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – January

December 29 – Holiday Spending Up 3% Over Last Year Retail holiday spending during the 2023 holiday season rose just over 3% year over year, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse. From: Hardware Retailing December 27 – Container Store Names Chief Digital Officer; Senior VP of Stores The Container Store has made two additions to its executive leadership team.…

IHA Government Affairs Achievements

IHA has had a number of government affairs achievements in the last four years with some of the more notable victories discussed below. New UPU Agreement: The housewares industry realized a victory when the Universal Postal Union (UPU) agreed to revise international postal rates to stop discriminating against U.S. shippers. Founded in 1875, the UPU sets postal rates among…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – December

November 30 – Get Ready for More ALDI Stores in December According to the company, its disciplined approach to operating with simplicity and efficiency is able to provide customers with the products they want at the lowest possible prices. From: Progressive Grocers November 30 – Kroger Q3 Beats Wall Street Despite Consumer Spending Reluctance Despite tighter consumer…

ADA Website Lawsuit Developments

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990 and its primary focus is Title III, which concerns accessibility for those with disabilities in public accommodations and commercial “brick and mortar” facilities. But the ensuing arrival of the internet and its new platform for selling products was seized upon by trial lawyers as a “target rich environment” for ADA…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – November

October 30 – Tractor Supply Q3 Earnings Beat Street As Sales Lag Despite lower revenue than expected, Tractor Supply beat a Wall Street earnings estimate in the third quarter. From: HomePage News October 30 – Kroger-Albertsons Proposed Mega-Merger Is a Threat to Workers and Shoppers Alike Union rep weighs in on implications of pending high-profile deal. From:…