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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.

Stay on Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile at the Westin Michigan Avenue

Book now and enjoy these additional incentives: - Low rate starting at $199 - Complimentary WiFi/Wired internet in guest rooms - Complimentary access to WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio Book Your Discounted Room at the Westin Michigan Avenue The Westin Michigan Avenue has 752 guest rooms including 32 suites, each with a marble foyer and large marble…

Rick Bayless, Paula Deen, Ming Tsai Among the Celeb Chefs at the 2017 Show

Celebrity chefs Rick Bayless, Paula Deen, Lorena Garcia, Stephanie Izard, Ming Tsai and Fabio Viviani are returning to prepare their favorite recipes in the Cooking Theater at the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show, March 18-21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The chef demonstrations will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 and continue through Tuesday, March…

Ocean Freight Rates Trending Higher

A reputable consulting firm, Drewry Shipping Consultants, is forecasting ocean freight rates in the Asia to US trade will increase in 2017. If the forecast is accurate, it would mark the first time since 2010 where there have been any significant increases in ocean freight rates. Carriers have been warning shippers about unsustainable rates since September 2015. Carrier…

During the Show, Stay at a Residence Inn Like No Other

Book now and enjoy these additional incentives: - Low rate for all housewares guests. - Earn Marriott points by booking your stay at the Residence Inn Loop - All-suite property that includes complimentary breakfast and in-room internet with your rate. Book Your Discounted Room at the Residence Inn Chicago Loop Where historical splendor meets modern amenities.…

Retail Profile: Kitchen a la Mode

Owner: Ben Salmon Location: South Orange, N.J. Founded: 2008 Square Footage: 1,000 sq. ft. Many retailers use Facebook. Not so many enjoy using it, choosing to turn the medium over to tech savvy underlings or to outsource social media altogether. Ben Salmon of Kitchen a la Mode in South Orange, N.J., is a bit different and he doesn’t shy away from Facebook. In fact,…

IBC Members Meet with ACE Hardware International

On December 1, IHA’s International Business Council (IBC) hosted ACE Hardware International at an IBC Members-Only meeting in Chicago at the IHA office. With several IBC members in attendance, the retailer-owned cooperative explained how their Global team selects products and determines assortments offered to their member-retail stores outside of the U.S.A. Following the…

Stats: Caffeine Habit Begins Early

Coffee consumption in the United States continues to rise, especially among millennials. And the caffeine habit is starting up at a younger age. Folks between the ages of 18 and 24, have caffeinated the demand for, well, caffeine. And that is having an impact on the world coffee market. According to a report from The Bloomberg Commodity Index, coffee prices have the…

South Korea Market Visit

IHA Staff recently made a market visit to South Korea in preparation for a potential trade mission to that country in 2018. The visit included touring major retail outlets/malls, meeting with key distributors to better understand the market, and meeting with relevant key retailers. Distributors met with included Venta Korea Co., Ltd., household appliance distributor for…