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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.

IBC 101: International Essentials

As a preview to the presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on the IBC 101: International Essentials workshop: The IBC Global Forum serves to provide attendees with practical, pragmatic resources to assist in developing resources that ultimately help support global sales. An important component to the Global Forum are the suppliers who…

August Currency Outlook

In their August 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 lost .5% of its value, ending its appreciation run that had been ongoing for three months Tensions over proposed tariffs added pressure to the strength of the USD, but it stayed…

Looking for Labor

One of the biggest challenges facing retailers in a growing economy is a shortage of workers. Independent kitchenware retailers are no different. In one of the tightest labor markets in years, stores around the country are struggling to hire and keep staff and many find the experience frustrating, especially as the summer was nearing. “The employment situation around here is…

Global Retail Intelligence – August

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: August 16 – Mexico’s Elektra Announces Online Shopping to Compete with Amazon Mexican department store chain Elektra announced it will launch an on-line shopping portal to compete with Amazon. Elektra’s marketplace will launch with 25 consumer products business partner brands and the goal of expanding to…

Tariffs Update: Impacts of Proposed Tariffs on Housewares Suppliers

As a preview to the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the session focusing on the latest tariff actions unfolding in Washington DC presented by Jonathan Gold, Vice President, Supply Chain and Customs Policy, for the National Retail Federation: Jonathan Gold of the National Retail Federation (NRF) will provide an update on the latest tariff…

Sodimac: Key Colombia Retailer Update

As a preview into the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the retail overview session presented by Marta Córdoba Vélez, Assistant Commercial Manager of Sodimac (Homecenter) Colombia: With more than 240 stores in Latin America, Sodimac has nearly 40 stores in Colombia. Sodimac is owned by Chilean retailer, Falabella, which operates stores in…

Retail Profile: Kitchenworks & Gourmet Gifts

Retail Profile: Kitchenworks & Gourmet Gifts Location: Litchfield, Ct. Founded: 1979 Owner: Elizabeth Ericksen Square footage: 1,000 sq. ft. When Elizabeth Ericksen bought the long-established Kitchenworks in 2008, she also took over a store with a fairly basic approach to retailing. Her work was cut out for her. “We changed the layout and way things were…

Derek Miller Named President of IHA

Derek Miller has been named president of the International Housewares Association, succeeding Phil Brandl who will retire at the end the year, IHA announced today. Miller, currently IHA’s vice president, global marketing, will assume the role of president Oct. 1. Brandl will remain at IHA through Dec. 31. Miller was selected by a unanimous vote of the IHA Executive…

2018 Global Honoree – Harrods

By Michelle Hespe Harrods needs no introduction, however, many people might not realize how progressive and innovative Harrods Home has become in recent years. No words are minced when it comes to the mission statement of Harrods. The iconic store’s goal is “to be the number one department store in the world for luxury branded merchandise, maintaining an unprecedented…