All Posts

IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

What’s Hot and What’s Not in Consumer Color Preferences

The always-popular Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, returned to the keynote stage Tuesday, March 21, for a second session at the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show to share her insights on what colors are hot and which ones are not. She told the crowd there’s room for every color family in housewares, but different consumers may…

IHSA Negotiating May 1st Ocean Contract Rates

Ocean contract negotiations for cargo moving from Asia to the United States and Canada have been on-going for several weeks. It was anticipated that the carriers were going to take a tough stand this year and push for substantial rate increases. The carriers were not going to allow 2017 to be a repeat of 2016 where they collectively lost billions of dollars. Initial feedback…

Top 5 consumer trends affecting housewares revealed at 2017 Int’l Home + Housewares Show

The consumer marketplace is changing in dramatic ways, so it’s important to get to know today’s ‘real’ consumers, said IHA’s trend forecaster Tom Mirabile at the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show today. Mirabile, who is also senior vice president, global trend & design at Lifetime Brands, was joined at his annual keynote presentation this year by Peter Giannetti,…

2018 PantoneView Home + Fashion palettes revealed at 2017 Int’l Home + Housewares Show

We’re living in a digitally directed, Instagrammed and Pinterested world where color and design trends can be communicated instantaneously, Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman – executive director of the Pantone Color Institute – told a capacity crowd Monday at the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show. For that reason, she said, it’s vital that anyone in the home and housewares…

Housewares Charity Foundation Raises $2 Million at 20th Annual Gala

The housewares industry came together for “A Purpose. A Plan. A Promise,” to raise $2 million during the Housewares Charity Foundation’s (HCF) 20th annual gala on Monday, March 20. Proceeds from the event, held at Chicago’s Navy Pier, benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity, and No Kid Hungry, a campaign by Share Our Strength that works…

Smart Homes Bringing Unprecedented Change to Housewares Industry

Smart Home thought leaders discuss challenges and opportunities at 2017 International Home + Housewares Show What’s working in the world of smart home products, where are we going and what is needed to get there? These are just some of the questions addressed today at a lunchtime panel discussion entitled “How the Smart Home is Disrupting Housewares (and What to Do…

What Millennials Want: Focus Group Speaks Out at 2017 Housewares Show

Millennials’ Opinions on Housewares, Shopping and What They’re Looking for May Surprise You! No holds were barred at a focus group discussion with millennial consumers this morning at the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show. The Show’s first keynote, “Millennials Have a Lot to Say About Housewares,” was moderated by Maureen Azzato, HFN editor in chief, and Warren…

Sold-Out 2017 Housewares Show Brims with Innovation

The just-concluded 2017 International Home + Housewares Show is garnering rave reviews from buyers and sellers. The Show was sold-out with 2,204 exhibitors from 47 countries and featured a focus on the smart home and connected products. We are very pleased with buyer attendance, which was nearly on par with last year’s record numbers, particularly international, which was very…

2017 gia Global Honorees for Retail Excellence Announced

The International Home + Housewares Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), the global sponsors and organizers of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program, today announced the 2017 gia Global Honorees for Retail Excellence. The Global Honorees are: Potten & Pannen – Staněk - Czech Republic (KitchenAid Concept Store & Gourmet…