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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.

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…

Stats: What Are People Eating Now?

According to the 13th Annual Food and Health Survey, released by the International Food Information Council, many in the U.S. are on diets. More than one-in-three U.S. consumers are following a specific diet or eating pattern, the survey found. And consumers are increasingly averse to carbohydrates and sugar, with more Americans than in previous years blaming carbs…

Ocean Network Express Startup Issues

The merger of the three major Japanese container lines, K-line, MOL and NYK into Ocean Network Express (ONE) has gotten off to a rocky start. Industry experts expected a few hiccups during the startup phase of the merger. However, anyone that has shipped or has attempted to ship with ONE can safely say the issues have gone far beyond a few hiccups. IHSA has a contract with…

London Drugs: Key Canadian Retailer Update

As a preview into the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the retail overview session presented by James Norris, Merchandise Manager of London Drugs: With more than 17 years of experience working for London Drugs, James Norris, Merchandise Manager, has vast experience working with products in the non-electric housewares, hardware, laundry,…