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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.

2017 Global Forum Recap: Shoppers Stop, India

As the Business Head of the Home Division at Shoppers Stop, Mr. Vikram Chitnis is responsible for merchandising and buying for the company’s HomeStop division. Mr. Chitnis is one of the team that started the importation of home products for Shoppers Stop, and he has been involved in merchandise planning and sourcing since the beginning of the HomeStop concept. Under his…

Retail Profile: The Gourmet Warehouse

If Caren McSherry wasn’t the owner of a popular, successful gourmet store, she could be a candidate for the job of Energizer Bunny. When not traveling the world on buying trips for her Vancouver, BC store, The Gourmet Warehouse, McSherry is teaching cooking school, making weekly radio and television appearances, writing cookbooks (her seventh is due out this fall), raising…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Tendencias y Conceptos

Mr. Meir Mareyna is the CEO of Mexican distributor Tendencias y Conceptos SA de CV and the founding director of Marketing Olfativo SA de CV. Much of his success with these two companies is attributed to his belief in the philosophies: “Make it great… constantly!”, “Service, service, service” and “flip thinking”. In addition, Mr. Mareyna incorporates finding the strengths of his…

2017 Global Forum Recap: John Lewis, UK

Anna Berry joined the John Lewis Partnership as a graduate-trainee in 1988. Following several positions in branch management, Ms. Berry transferred to a buying in 1993 and has been responsible for purchasing across numerous categories including menswear, sporting goods, gifts, jewelry and most recently, premium beauty. In addition, she has worked on the Electrical and Home…

Housewares Charity Foundation Donates to Hurricane Relief Efforts

The Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross with the funds allocated to assisting victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. “The collective thoughts and prayers of the housewares industry have been with the residents of Texas and Florida the last few weeks, and these disasters have affected our colleagues in these states as…

Mark Adkison Joins IHA as Vice President, International

The International Housewares Association (IHA) announced on Friday that Mark Adkison is joining the Association as vice president, international, beginning Sept. 18. Adkison has more than 15 years’ experience in the housewares industry, with an emphasis on global sales and marketing. He fills the vacancy left by the passing of Jeff Murphy in June. Adkison joins IHA from…

Five New Directors Elected to IHA Board of Directors

Five new directors have been elected to the board of directors of the International Housewares Association (IHA), the full-service trade association for the housewares industry. The new directors are: Neal Asbury, president & CEO, The Legacy Companies; Steve Greenspon, CEO, Honey-Can-Do International; Yvette Laugier, general manager, PSP North America/Peugeot; Thomas…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Venta Korea

Mr. Kim Dae Hyun, president of Venta Korea Co. Ltd., has managed the company for 28 years. Venta’s mission is, “We create a healthy and happy lifestyle with the world’s best products for the Korean people.” Prior to directing Venta Korea, Mr. Kim founded Jin-San, the corporation responsible for servicing Whirlpool white goods in Korea. With this experience, in 1994 Venta Korea…

2017 Global Forum Recap: IBC General Meeting

On the second day of the 2017 Global Forum, Mark Adkison, IHA's vice president of international, led the IBC General Meeting to update the membership on upcoming programs, awards and the IBC board of directors. With members earning credits for participating at educational sessions and for taking part in Trade Missions, several IBC members were honored through the group's…