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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.

Protected: Exciting Changes for The Inspired Home Show 2024

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The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023

On April 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) to suspend the federal government’s debt ceiling through either March 31, 2024, or a $1.5 trillion increase when the current $31.4 trillion ceiling runs out, whichever comes first. It’s not unusual for Congress to raise the debt ceiling so Treasury can continue to sell U.S. bonds…

Transpacific Contract Negotiations Finalized

The majority of ocean contracts covering containers moving between Asia and the United States have been finalized. The contracts being signed contain rates that are substantially lower than the rates that were finalized in April 2022. The previous two contract cycles saw spot rates skyrocket to record high levels before finally subsiding in the fall of 2022. The new contract…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – May

April 28 – Amazon Cites Expanded Home Selection in Reporting Q1 Profit Amazon turned to profits in the first quarter and beat Wall Street earnings and sales estimates with the e-commerce giant noting the contribution of an expanded home assortment led by a new Martha Stewart program. From: HomePage News April 28 – Time Is Right for Growth at Weis Markets $160M cap-ex…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – April

March 31 – Easter 2023 Spending Expected to Reach Record $24B With an influx in spending, this Easter Sunday is anticipated to be the biggest one yet. From: Progressive Grocer March 30 – Kohl’s Receives Prestigious Sustainability Award from Government The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program has presented the department store retailer with the…

West Coast Ports Still Operating Without a Contract

Contract negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) ports remain at a standstill. After 10 months of negotiations, there has been very little progress in resolving key issues such as automation and wages. The PMA recently called out the ILWU for intentional work slowdowns causing delays at the ports…

Proposed PFAS Standards from the U.S. EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken steps to set maximum levels for certain polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public drinking-water systems, and to designate certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or CERCLA (the Superfund law). PFAS are chemicals that have…

New Container Vessels Pose a Problem for the Carriers

Ocean carriers have a problem on their hands. Aside from a lackluster Asia to U.S. shipping market, carriers are about to be inundated with brand new containerships. This couldn’t happen at a worse time for the carriers. They are already being forced to slash freight rates to unprofitable levels in an effort to fill container vessels already deployed. Adding additional capacity…

IHA Submits Comments to USTR Tariff Review

As required by the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) must conduct a “necessity review” of the Section 301 tariffs on some $350 billion of products from China (Lists 1, 2, 3 and 4a) or the tariffs automatically sunset after four years. However, the Trade Act is somewhat vague on how a review should be done, giving USTR a fair amount of latitude in carrying…