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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.

Sell More Made in USA to Reduce Motivation for More Tariffs

The increasing advantages of producing in the U.S. for the North American market are driving retailers and manufacturers to reshore. Companies announced the reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) of approximately 170,000 manufacturing jobs in 2017, up 50 percent from 2016 and 2,800 percent from 2010. Most of the reshoring is in consumer goods. The recent tariff changes…

How Brands Must Evolve to Thrive in the Digital Age

Consumer-facing brands have the opportunity to grow sales through digital commerce channels, but face substantial challenges and risks. If a brand’s digital business professionals do not craft a clear digital commerce strategy, they ultimately empower others at their expense. This session will focus on housewares manufacturers and how their role in retail is changing. …

Retail Evolution and the Housewares Industry

With the overused terms “experiential” and “omni-channel” dominating the retail landscape, Dana Telsey and Joe Feldman will examine key retail trends and explore the ways companies are evolving their strategies, investments and partnerships to drive growth. 8:05 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018 Presenters: Dana Telsey Chief Executive Officer & Chief Research…

Internet Profits: How to Benefit from New Opportunities with Digital Marketing and More

The 2018 CHESS conference will present 10 information-packed presentations by experts in many fields. On Wednesday, October 3, digital marketer Brian Carter will share tips on how to maximize returns on marketing investments with Facebook, Google, Amazon, Instagram and other platforms that have displaced traditional media channels. Carter’s energetic presentation will keep the…

Regulatory Update: The Latest on U.S. International Trade Policy

The most recent round of proposed tariffs on imports from China affects $200 billion of goods, impacting the housewares industry for both finished product and raw materials. This session will address the current state of tariffs and U.S. trade policy with China, and discuss how the housewares supply chain can weather this volatile regulatory environment. John will also address…

Building Your Talent Bench for the Future

How is your team performing today? How are you grooming them to lead your company’s growth in the future? Jacquie Fazekas believes that developing future talent today is one of the most critical strategic initiatives a housewares company should have. In this session, she will offer leadership “Watch-outs,” tips to avoid the effects of poorly groomed and motivated talent, and…

It Starts With the Customer: How Amazon is Responding to Changes in Customer Behavior

Shopping behaviors and expectations continue to evolve. Amazon has made a variety of changes to the customer experience in response. Mike Popchuk will talk about Amazon’s approach to addressing customer needs and highlight a few of the changes they have made in response. 1:15 pm Wednesday, October 3, 2018 Presenter: Mike Popchuk Director / Category Leader Home,…

CHESS 2018 Focuses on Adapting in the Face of Change

The U.S. economy is doing well but traditional retail is challenged against the dramatic changes brought on by the ever-growing options consumers have for purchasing products. Driving this change is the world of e-commerce, which has expanded from what is now considered traditional digital retailing, such as Amazon, Wayfair and brick & mortar retailer websites, to…

Why is the USPS Charging You 5x What They Charge Chinese Shippers?

By Jayme Smaldone Below is an elongated version of an OpEd I wrote for The Wall Street Journal, published on February 6, 2018. Please share with anyone that warehouses goods in the US. President Trump recently tweeted about mounting problems with the U.S. Postal Service. Specifically, he noted that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is not charging Amazon enough to deliver…