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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.

There’s No Business Like Show Business! Part 1

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator It’s January, and our calendars are focused on March, when our 121st Show will unite the industry. The current International Home + Housewares Show has evolved into a busy four-day gathering in Chicago, from a complex family tree of Show names, dates and predecessor sponsoring organizations. For 79 years, IHA has been…

From Hotels to McCormick Place: A History of the International Home + Housewares Show – Part 3

Author: Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator and Housewares Historian, IHA For parts one and two of this three part series, see: From Hotels to McCormick Place: A History of the International Home + Housewares Show - Part 1 From Hotels to McCormick Place: A History of the International Home + Housewares Show - Part 2 New Era on the Lakefront More than 900…

From Hotels to McCormick Place: A History of the International Home + Housewares Show – Part 2

Author: Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator and Housewares Historian, IHA This post is one of a three part series. Read part one: From Hotels to McCormick Place: A History of the International Home + Housewares Show – Part 1 NHMA, the antecedent International Housewares Association, resulted from the 1946 merger of the New York Housewares Manufacturers Association…

From Hotels to McCormick Place: A History of the International Home + Housewares Show – Part 1

Author: Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator and Housewares Historian, IHA Markets and trade fairs have taken place throughout civilization, but the twentieth century's first House Furnishing Good Exhibition was held in New York's Madison Square Garden in 1906. The modern housewares exposition was born in 1927 when members of the National Home Furnishings Buyers Club…

Merchandising to the Future of Cooking: It Starts Now!

IHA checked in with Steve Katz, creator of Man the Kitchen, about his latest research on the behavior of male cooks in the kitchen and their preferences for products and environments at retail that he will discuss at the at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics discussed will…

New Carrier Environment and Uncertainty Emerges for 2018

IHSA will begin ocean contract negotiations in February. Industry analysts have differing opinions on which side, shippers or carriers, will have the upper hand during the 2018 negotiations. There are some analysts that believe excess capacity will again be a major deterrent preventing carriers from securing any sustained rate increases during 2018. On the contrary, other…

Stats: Shopping Makes Consumers Anxious

Retail therapy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. A new survey shows that shopping, especially around the holidays, makes Americans anxious. The survey gives specialty retailers a glimpse into the minds of their customers during the busiest business time of the year, but also holds up after the tinsel and decorations are put away. Even though they enjoyed the holidays and…

Styles, Colors and Consumers: How to Create On-Trend, Retailer-Specific New Products

IHA caught up with Richard Babick, president of Design Research, LLC, to learn how brands can differentiate their product assortments for specific retailers. Rick and Janine Michalek, vice president of market intelligence at Design Research, will present their latest findings at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21…

Keep Up with the Smart Home at the Chicago Show

Consumers’ increasing embrace of the smart home and the automation that is transforming the way they live offers the housewares industry opportunities to expand its implementation of smart technology to new categories and products. From Millennials to Gen Xers to Baby Boomers, consumers are looking to fill their spaces with connected products for every room in the home and…