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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.

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…

U.S. Imports from Asia Continue to Nosedive

U.S. imports from Asia have plummeted over the last few months. The month of September alone declined 10.4% versus August. Forecasters do not see any improvement for imports when October imports are finalized. Industry experts are now projecting that imports will continue to decline through the end of the year. It’s hard to comprehend how quickly the Asia-to-U.S. market has…

Labor Relations Regulatory Update

The Biden Administration’s regulatory agenda will face Republican scrutiny in the next Congress by way of oversight hearings and a stream of information requests to agency heads between hearings from committee chairs. Administration proposals concerning labor (employee) relations will be one of the more controversial areas based on Republican concerns that they will create more…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – October

October 31 – Ross Stores Open 40 Stores The new outposts complete Ross’ growth plans for fiscal 2022, which called for the addition of 99 new stores. From: Chain Store Age October 28 – Target to Carry Marks & Spencer Holiday Items The limited-time partnership offers highly giftable, on-trend products at value prices. From: Progressive Grocer October 28 – Wegmans…

Connect Fall, IHA’s Virtual Industry Event, Features Sessions on Shifting Lifestyle Trends, Critical Business Developments

ROSEMONT, IL (Oct. 5, 2022) – Connect FALL, an IHA virtual event, is set for Oct. 11-13 with exclusive, in-depth content designed to bring the housewares industry together around critical industry education. Session topics include opportunities in inflationary times; consumer lifestyle trends; an update on PFAS chemicals regulations and housewares; trends influencing…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – September

September 30 – Walmart Insists Distribution Can Handle the Holidays The Walmart supply chain has been challenged, the company admitted in a blog post, but the company has been able to deal with congestion and inflation so that it is ready for the holiday season. From: HomePage News September 30 – Qurate Names Veteran Supply Chain Exec Barnhart COO\ Qurate Retail Group…

Tariff Update

In early September, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it had received comments from a number of entities supporting a continuation of the Section 301 tariffs on products produced in China. This culminates the first phase of USTR’s statutorily mandated “review of necessity” for Sec. 301 tariffs before they expire after four years. However, by September’s end, USTR…