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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.

New Workforce Regulations for Employers

Three workforce regulations from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) could have a big impact on IHA members and employers across the country. All of them are controversial and could be challenged in court by business organizations. On Oct. 27, the NLRB published a final rule addressing the Standard for…

Renew the GSP Program and Refund Duties

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program was created to encourage economic development for emerging economies in qualifying countries by reducing tariff burdens on U.S. companies to encourage investment and partnerships in those places. The program has been regularly renewed but lapsed in 2021 and Congress has not been able to reach an agreement on renewal for a…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – October

September 29 – Spooky Season Kicks Off with New Trends Grocers aiming to scare up sales during the Halloween selling season are tapping into trends to meet shopper interests and needs. From: Progressive Grocer September 29 – Kohl’s Hires Former Tuesday Morning Chief Hand To Lead Store Operations Kohl’s announced the appointment of former Tuesday Morning CEO Fred Hand to…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – September

August 31 – Crate & Barrel Investing To Enhance Omnichannel Operations To advance its omnichannel capabilities, Crate & Barrel Holdings has launched “Bring it Home,” a multi-year investment plan centered on the customer experience and designed to pave the way for continued growth across the organization. From: HomePage News August 31 – J.C. Penney Announces $1B…

California’s Prop 65

In 1986, California voters approved Proposition 65 (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Exposure Act), a ballot initiative to address concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. It requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, and for businesses with 10 or more employees to provide warnings when they knowingly and intentionally…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – August

July 31 – Walmart ups stake in Flipkart after buying additional shares from Tiger Global The mass merchant in 2018 became Flipkart’s largest shareholder after paying $16 billion for an initial 77% stake in the company. From: Retail Dive July 31 – Food Lion Unveils Additional Store Renovations in North Carolina Grocer will cut the ribbon on 47 locations throughout…

Business Tax Breaks Scheduled to End

In 2017, the Republican-led Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) using budget reconciliation to avoid a Senate filibuster and its 60-vote threshold. But the tradeoff for this process is that tax breaks benefiting IHA members and other businesses had to be temporary in order to meet budget reconciliation rules. The TCJA boosted the IRC Sec. 168(k) Bonus…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – July

June 29 – Best Buy Updates Membership Program in Time for July Deals As the company prepares for its July supply events, Best Buy is rolling out its updated membership program, now in three three tiers designed for customers who want convenience, value and access, as well as protection and support. From: HomePage News June 29 – 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame: Kristin…

Trade Issues Update

On June 2, Americans for Free Trade (AFT) sent a letter to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) signed by IHA and 145 other organizations for the May 17 hearing Leveling the Playing Field: How to Counter the Chinese Communist Party’s Economic Aggression. Despite the enmity between Capitol Hill Republicans and Democrats, the Select Committee on the…