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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.

2018 Currency Outlook

In their 2018 Currency Outlook report, Tempus, an exchange rate and global payments company, provides a detailed report including the following topics and sections regarding 2017’s economic events and 2018’s outlook: In Brief The Federal Reserve increased interest rates three times, however USD fell 10% The Euro surged 15% in spate of political unrest in Europe…

Housewares LIVE: How Brand Can Inspire Audiences with Live Video

IHA tracked down Fritz Brumder of Brandlive to learn about how brands can interact with their audiences via new digital platforms, which he will address in his presentation at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show. At the Show, the Innovation Theater will feature 21 presentations over four days. Topics discussed will include smart home, consumer shopping preferences,…

Celebrating 80+ Years of Housewares History

The International Housewares Association and the Housewares Industry have a rich history dating back more than 80 years. In honor of IHA’s 80th Anniversary, here is a look back at some of the highlights: 1906 First house furnishing exhibition in the U.S. is held in New York’s Madison Square Garden. It is conceived by Isbon Scott, editor of House Furnishing Review,…

Global Retail Intelligence – January

To follow is a brief review of retail news from around the world: January 31 – Walmart May Buy a Stake in India's Answer to Amazon Walmart is negotiating to acquire a 15% to 20% stake in India’s leading homegrown e-commerce firm Flipkart. A deal would give both companies a greater advantage in competing with Amazon in India, according to the sources. From Fortune January…

There’s No Business Like Show Business! Part 2

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator This is part two of a two part series. Read part one: There's No Business Like Show Business! Part 1 Pots, Pans and Prosperity: Biggest Gadget Show on Earth From 1939 to 1991, the National Housewares Manufacturers Association (NHMA), based in Chicago, mounted two shows per year. For nearly 40 years, its national housewares…

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…