International Housewares Association

Perfectly Porland

Porland of Turkey, one of the five gia Global Honorees this year, has a long, rich and colorful history. We look into what makes this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain stand out from the rest. by Michelle Hespe Porland’s logo features a ballerina executing a perfect pirouette. This elegant symbol conveys both beauty and strength, reflecting the grounding philosophy of this manufacturer and retailer of porcelain. The word…

CHESS 2019 – Retail’s Seismic Shift: Understanding the Forces Changing Housewares Consumers

Presented by: Michael Dart, Partner, Consumer/Retail Practice, A.T. Kearney Retail specialist and visionary, Michael Dart advises retail and consumer companies on how best to navigate retail’s seismic shifts. He combines his economics and finance training from Oxford University and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with more than 25 years of experience consulting with A.T. Kearney and Bain & Co. to provide a unique…

Global Retail Intelligence – April

April 14 – JD.com Creates Offline Catering Supply Chain SolutionJD.com with Juqi, a dinning chain in Beijing, announced a supply chain cooperation, positioning JD.com as the first platform in China capable of providing a one-stop supply chain solution covering both the full category of food and materials supply, and integrated warehousing and distribution services. Through the cooperation, JD will also provide intelligent inventory…

Navigating The Wild West of Ocean Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Good Judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." — Will Rogers Here is how the modern shipping business mirrors the Wild West: 1. The “Gold Rush” Boom and Bust Cycles The Old West was defined by the gold rush with sudden, explosive wealth that created overnight millionaires, followed by devastating busts that left ghost towns behind. Shipping operates on the exact same…

IHA Plans Sourcing Mission to Vietnam

To help members investigate alternatives to sourcing from China, the International Housewares Association will hold a sourcing mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, next year. The 2020 Vietnam Sourcing Mission will be offered in two sessions: April 20-22 or April 23-25. Each session is limited to just six companies to provide a high level of service and allow for private meetings and factory tours. The dates were chosen to allow…

Guide to Effective Retail Store Design

by Martin M. Pegler If RETAILING is your chosen path of livelihood, here are some simple guidelines you might like to consider when planning your retail store. 1. Let There Be Light! Without the proper light the merchandise cannot be seen or judged, colors cannot be appreciated, coordinates cannot be assembled, nor buying decisions made. Let your light be the best you can afford to install and use—or, if necessary, skimp on…

HECNA Global Forum Presented Attendees with Avenues for Increasing Exports

October 9, 2012

The 2012 HECNA Global Forum, hosted last month in Scottsdale, AZ, came to a close with one clear idea – IHA’s suppliers are keen to export and they are investigating methods to enter key markets and focusing on emerging markets. With the BRIC countries top of mind, the HECNA Global Forum presented two speakers who focused on entering the Chinese consumer market. Kristina…

Slash Your Trash: Dig into Your Waste to Find Profits

September 18, 2012

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Sustainability is vital to a company’s strategic positions, performance and brand image. At the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show, we learned about many directions and issues in sustainability. We heard from industry insiders at the Innovation Theater and the Going Green display about environmentally sustainable…

gia Global Honorees: Sweden

September 10, 2012

Every year, the International Housewares Association (IHA) welcomes retailers deemed the best in their country to Chicago, where they compete on a global stage for the coveted Global Innovation Awards (gia). This year, one of the outstanding gia Global Honorees was NK Glas, Porslin & Kök of Sweden – a homewares store within the famed NK (Nordic Company) Stockholm department…

Protect Against Greenwashing: The Importance of Testing

September 4, 2012

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Environmental claims: What does green really mean? Sustainability is vital to a company’s performance strategy and brand image. At the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show, we heard from industry insiders at the Innovation Theater and the Going Green display about environmentally sustainable materials, reduced use of…

HECNA Global Forum Preview: Casa Palacio Explains What It Takes To Break Into The Mexican Market

August 30, 2012

The 2012 HECNA Global Forum is coming up September 19-21 in Scottsdale, AZ. Learn about the annual meeting, which features industry-savvy specialists discussing relevant export topics and providing education on market entry, global product development and marketing strategies. This is the 2012 HECNA Global Forum Preview Series! Casa Palacio If selling to the Mexican…

PALMER HOUSE HILTON: Central Location, Exceptional Service & A Stylist Setting

August 29, 2012

Because it's never too early to book your stay for Housewares 2013... Attendees of the International Home + Housewares Show will appreciate the value adds of the Palmer House Hilton such as complimentary Wifi access in the lobby, self-service business center offering use of computer with complimentary internet access, grabbing a quick beverage at the on-site Starbucks,…