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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.

IHA Opposes Latest Round of Proposed Tariffs

The latest round of tariffs on products coming from China announced by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) affects $200 billion of goods imported and if enacted would have an impact on the housewares industry. The International Housewares Association announced today it will activate its resources at the Association and member levels to provide comment on the…

KoolaWorld: South Africa Market Overview

As a preview to the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the South Africa Market Overview session presented by David Nourse, General Manager of KoolaWorld: KoolaWorld is an importer and distributor of home and housewares products in South Africa. The company relies on their established relationships with department stores, independent retailers,…

July Currency Outlook

In their July 2018 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections: In Brief Mexico elected Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as the new president, bringing a new era of leftism to the country, but the Mexican Peso recovered steadily The USD saw its third month of gains…

Global Retail Intelligence – July

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: July 31 – Sodimac’s First Store Opens in Mexico This first store in Mexico is located in the Municipality of Cuautitlán Izcalli, in the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico City. The 10,700 m2 store is part of an agreement formed by Falabella and Soriana in 2016 for the development of the home improvement chain and…

Retail Profile: At Home On The Range

Retail Profile: At Home On The Range Location: Livingston, Mont. Owner: Jennifer Flight Founded: 1995 Square footage: 1,000 sq. ft. Jennifer Flight was a master’s candidate in geology in Bozeman, Mont., when she first discovered At Home On The Range, a kitchenware store 25 miles away in Livingston. “A friend told me that we had to go to this kitchenware store,” Flight…

Stats: Organic Growth Spurt

The Organic Trade Association’s most recent survey puts the 2017 growth rate of organic food at six times the pace of the overall food market. That, along with recent information released from The NPD Group, shows why independent gourmet and kitchenware retailers need to be aware of the rise in organic consumerism. According to the OTA’s newly released 2018 Organic Industry…

Trends: Organic Remains Strong Force

Face it Luke, the organic label remains strong with consumers in our galaxy, at least in the United States. This despite recent publicity about pesticide levels in organically grown foods being equal to that of conventionally grown foods. Researchers tracking what people eat at the marketing firm The NPD Group say shoppers are “not likely” to switch back to conventionally…

Teach a Kid to Cook and Gain a Customer

Many retailers who start off offering adult cooking classes up the ante by adding kids’ cooking classes, especially during the summer months when the tots are on school vacation. With parents looking for creative outlets for youngsters, along with the popularity of kids’ cooking shows, those running cooking programs say such classes are a natural fit. “It is socialization in…

Retail Profile: Sweet Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School

Retail Profile: Sweet Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School, Sweet Basil Market Cafe Location: Scottsdale, Ariz. Owner: Martie Sullivan Founded: 1993 Square footage: 4,000 sq. ft. One thing most independent retailers share, if they are in business as long as Martie Sullivan has been, is a talent for being flexible. It is not enough to come up with a good idea. For a store…