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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.

Preparing for Risks in Unpredictable Times

Rarely have business leaders faced so many uncertainties about the future in domestic and global issues. Yet business leaders must make decisions and plan for the future in our turbulent geopolitical environment. The 2016 CHESS conference, October 6-7, in Rosemont, IL, offers top-level presentations for housewares industry executives. On Thursday, October 6 economist Bernard…

IHA Announces Prop 65 Protection Insurance for Members

The International Housewares Association is partnering with Wells Fargo Insurance to provide a new insurance program that can help members mitigate their liability under the California Proposition (Prop) 65 legislation. The Prop 65 Protection Program provides protection from the costs associated with defending a Prop 65 lawsuit specific to plasticizers, including fines,…

Mounting Losses Persist for Container Lines

Carrier profitability, or lack of profitability, is causing uncertainty with shippers heading into the busiest shipping period of the year. After reaching historical lows, container rates from Asia to United States have stabilized. Although stabilized, the rates have not rebounded to profitable levels. Hanjin and Hyundai are two carriers that have been fighting off bad…

Trade Publication Hotel Distribution at the 2017 Show

Six trade publications have been approved for distribution at official Show hotels during the 2017 International Home + Housewares Show. The publications are: Gourmet Insider, HFN, HomeWorld Business, Health & Beauty Executive, Housewares Executive and Kitchenware News & Housewares Review. To learn about specific advertisement details, hotels, frequency and number of…

Trends: Eating Where You Shop

More people are eating where they shop these days, especially Millennials, a generation prized by retailers for its size and potential consumerism. Overall, in-store dining and take-out of prepared foods from grocers has grown nearly 30 percent since 2008, accounting for 2.4 billion foodservice visits and $10 billion of consumer spending in 2015, according to a recently…

Stats: Test Your ‘Cue IQ

How well do you know grilling? The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association has launched an online quiz to test Barbecue IQ. Those who take the quiz learn not only their “IQ,” but also get tips on how to up their barbecue game, as grilling season peaks during the summer. The online quiz can be found at www.hpba.org/Barbecue-IQ . You can prepare for the quiz by checking…

British Retail Sales Rose Strongly in July

The Wall Street Journal reported today that, post Brexit, “(UK) households largely shrugged off the referendum result and kept spending” with retail sales gaining 5.6% in July compared to a year earlier. For more information, please click here. …

Retail Profile: The Culinary Apple

Retailer: The Culinary Apple Location: Chelan, Wash. Founded: 1996 Owners: David and Mary Weldy Square footage: 1,600 sq. ft. in the retail space; less than 500 in the kitchen space Located in the heart of Washington State’s apple country, The Culinary Apple has taken a leaf from its surroundings with a housewares store stocked with all things apple. There are apple cookie…

Are you selling product online directly to consumers?

There seems to be an increase in the number of reported lawsuits levied by plaintiffs against IHA members alleging that the Terms and Conditions of their online ecommerce websites violate New Jersey’s arcane Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act (“TCCWNA”). These lawsuits don’t have to prove there has been a loss or damage suffered by the consumer. Your company…