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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.

Lifestyle Guru Tom Mirabile Shares Insights for Thriving in Today’s Retail Renaissance

“We succeed by embracing change” is his theme at 2018 International Home + Housewares Show It’s no secret the marketplace is experiencing unprecedented and rapid changes in how consumers gather information, shop and buy products. But these changes represent tremendous opportunities for the housewares industry, said Tom Mirabile, consumer trend forecaster for the International…

Housewares Charity Foundation Raises $1.8 Million at 21st Annual Gala

The housewares industry came together to “Unite, Celebrate, Support” and raised $1.8 million during the Housewares Charity Foundation’s (HCF) 21st annual gala on Monday, March 12. Proceeds from the event, held at Chicago’s Navy Pier, benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity. Since the first gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $50…

Eight Companies Honored with Global Innovation Awards for Booth Excellence

Eight International Home + Housewares Show exhibitors were honored with Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Booth Excellence on Monday, March 12, with two companies named Global Honoree. Two finalists were selected in each Show expo, one each for large and small booths. The winners were announced during special presentations at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show at…

Export 101: Understanding Export Compliance

Product Testing and Compliance When selling products to international markets, some certifications and compliance testing is likely required before your product can be shipped. The type of product you sell will determine which testing protocol and certifications are required. Certification proves a minimum level of credibility to the market. Consumers in global markets…

Canadian Tire: Key Canadian Retailer Update

As a preview to the presentation during the upcoming IBC Global Forum, the following is a brief on Canadian retailer, Canadian Tire. As of September 20, the speaker for the Canadian Tire presentation will be Doug Young, replacing Oliver Horton. Canadian Tire has a network of more than 1700 stores (to view, click the "View Map" button under the "Locations" section) spread…

March Currency Outlook

In their March 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 recovered by 1.5% according to the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index Among the G-10, the Canadian Dollar fell the most, 4.6% The Japanese Yen gained 2.5%, reaching its highest level…

Housewares Are Becoming Connected. Is Your Company Ready?

By Michael Wolf The housewares industry is changing, but I wouldn’t blame you for missing it. That’s because industry evolutions happen subtly and slowly and, as a result, it’s often easy to miss the big shifts. Most of us, after all, are busy doing our job. But the old adage “the days are long but the years are short” applies just as much to market evolutions as well as…

Sold-Out 2018 International Home + Housewares Show Brims with Innovation, Vibrant Buzz on Show Floor

The just-concluded 2018 International Home + Housewares Show is garnering rave reviews from the industry with an overall sentiment that the quality of top-to-top buyer and seller attendees was the strongest in years. The Show was sold-out with 2,244 exhibitors from 47 countries and featured a focus on the smart home and connected products. “Even with the impact of the East…

Cleaning Up: How Robot Vacuums Work and What’s Next

By Carley Knobloch In 2002 when they hit the scene, robot vacuums were the stuff of curiosity and silly videos of cats who climb on them and sail around the house. They’re not the stuff of viral videos anymore: With major technological advancements, boosted power and prices falling, robot vacuum cleaners are becoming a mainstay in American homes. A recent study, in fact,…