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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.

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago: An Icon of Exceptional Accommodations

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a new hotel partner for the 2019 Show! Book now and enjoy these incentives: Rates as low as $259 (early-bird rate) Complimentary WiFi, Fitness Center and Spa Access Local and National Calls, No Shipping and Handling Fees Complimentary Macaroon Book Your Discounted Room at the Waldorf Astoria > The Waldorf Astoria Chicago…

Trends: Blended Retailing

Holiday shoppers have more retail options than ever this year, from pop ups and local street fairs to traditional brick-and-mortar and, of course, online shopping. And consumers are increasingly exploring all the options, leading to something that is being called “blended retailing.” The distinct separation between brick-and-mortar and online retailing is waning as retailers…

IHA Members Explore the Home and Housewares Markets in Spain and France

Five IHA member companies interested in learning about new export markets and increasing sales within Spain and France joined IHA on a recent Trade Mission to Europe. To begin the Mission, attendees visited home and housewares retail stores in Madrid, Spain, during a retail tour. Visiting the stores prior to meeting with buyers allowed the attendees to learn about competition…

Global Retail Intelligence – November

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: November 15 – Australia’s Coles Opens Small Format Stores Coles has unveiled its answer to competitor, Woolworths’ Metro small-format store, Coles Local. The first outlet is about half of the size of a full supermarket and will offer gourmet local produce, specialty ranges, an in-store chef, barista and a…

November Currency Outlook

In their November 2018 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief The USD was boosted as a safe-haven due to concerns over “tit-for-tat” tariffs After the cancellation of a $13 BN airport project was cancelled the Mexican Peso fell 8% The revised…

Deck The Stores

The holidays are nearly upon us and retailers are busy building festive decorations into their merchandising strategies. Are they having fun yet? Liana Ottaviani, GM of Fante’s Kitchen Shop in Philadelphia, is. She says she loves this time of year, but admits “It is crazy, but as fun as it can be.” Part of that fun is seeing old friends. “We have wonderful customers, but…

Retail Profile: Fante’s Kitchen Shop

Location: Philadelphia’s 9th St. Italian Market Founded: 1906 Owners: Mariella Giovannucci Esposito, Nick Giovannucci, Daniele Giovannucci Square footage: 4,000 sq. ft. Own or Rent: Rent A Philadelphia institution since 1906, Fante’s remains a family-run business as owner Mariella Esposito handed off control of the highly-regarded kitchenware store to her daughter, Liana…

Experience the Sophisticated Style of the Conrad Chicago

The Conrad Chicago is a new hotel partner for the 2019 Show! Book now and enjoy these incentives: Rates as low as $175 (early-bird rate) Complimentary WiFi, Fitness Center and Business Center Free Local and National Calls (2) Complimentary In-Room Bottles of Water Complimentary Truffle Box Book Your Discounted Room at the Conrad Chicago The sleek,…

Asia to U.S. Space Crunch Persists

The space crisis has been dominating the Asia to U.S. market since the end of June 2018. The crisis continues to cause major disruptions in import supply chains and increase freight costs of container shipments to the United States. The experts that project supply/demand balances were way off the mark leaving no warning of an impending space crunch to importers. In a two-week…