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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.

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…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – February

January 31 – Dollar General President/CFO Plans to Retire in June John Garratt, president and CFO at Dollar General Corp., has announced his intent to retire, effective June 2. From: Progressive Grocer January 30 – Tops Completes $1.4M Remodel in New York In December, Tops unveiled a $1.8 million store renovation in Canandaigua, N.Y. Last fall, the retailer also welcomed…

Asia to U.S. Contract Negotiations Begin

Shippers have begun the annual ritual better known as contract negotiations. There is one major difference in this year’s negotiations compared to the last two years. Shippers head into the negotiations with the leverage. The current Asia to U.S. market is weak. That point cannot be disputed. Spot rates have plummeted and plenty of space is available to shippers. Once the…

Take Control of Your Supply Chain Challenges

Supply chain challenges are expected to continue in 2023. Are you aware that IHA provides its members a tool to address these challenges? The tool, made available only to IHA members, is your industry shippers association otherwise known as International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA). Carriers always recognize leverage. Shippers with the most leverage consistently…

Significant Trade and Shipping Regulatory Actions

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is required by statute to conduct a “necessity review” of Section 301 tariffs, which in this case concern tariffs placed on some $300-$350 billion of products from China (Lists 1, 2, 3 and 4a). Former President Donald Trump started imposing the duties in 2018 under Sec. 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which automatically expire after four…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – November

November 29 – Retailers Enjoy Better Black Friday, Cyber Monday but Discounting Deepens Preliminary data released by business services provider Sensormatic Solutions, indicated a 2.9% increase in retail foot traffic on Black Friday, November 25, compared to 2021, while Adobe Analytics reported that online sales at $9.12 billion gained from $8.92 billion a year ago, good but…

Will the Carriers Avoid a Rate War?

Container freight rates from Asia to the U.S. continue to decline. Rates have fallen to levels that seemed unimaginable only a year ago. The average spot rate to move a container from China to Los Angeles in December 2021 was $15,000. The cost to move that same container today is $1,500. The carriers, who declared that rate wars were a thing of the past, seem powerless to stop…