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…

Housewares 2011: A visual experience

May 31, 2011

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator Miss the 2011 Housewares Show? Catch up with all our videos and pics from YouTube and Facebook! Check out all the videos from this past Show and other events from past years including old shows and press events on our YouTube page! See photos from the 2011 Show floor as well as some of the great events that took place in Chicago this…

HECNA Global Forum: Looking back at 2010 and ahead to 2011

May 26, 2011

By Lori Szudarek, Manager of International Services The 2010 HECNA Global Forum brought together members of the international business community in Miami, chock-full of opportunities geared towards helping attendees increase exports, international business development and networking with housewares buyers and industry professionals. Attendees to the 2010 Global Forum…

Housewares History: Seasonal Foods/Local Foods

May 25, 2011

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator It’s the season for farmers markets and gardening! Even in the chilly Midwest, backyard gardeners are tending their vegetable plants. But how to savor the bountiful harvests ahead? Unless camping or dealing with a power outage, rarely do we think about how people preserved food before refrigerators and freezers. Especially…

Inside Discover Design: ALEX Bottles

May 18, 2011

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development This week Marie caught up with Chris Hotell of ALEX Bottles to discuss sustainability and how it works in the world of housewares and high design. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design and functionality of your products? CH: Reusable water bottles are an amazing and necessary alternative to the toxic single…

One More Day! 2012 Housewares Show to open Saturday

May 16, 2011

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator IHA is proud to announce that the annual International Home + Housewares Show will begin a day earlier in 2012, with the Show floor opening at 12:30 pm Saturday, March 10. On April 20th, IHA's Board of Directors voted unanimously to extend the 2012 Show to four days. This decision has been discussed over the last five years with many…

Home and Housewares Industry Education, Straight from the Show Floor!

May 11, 2011

By Wes French, Coordinator of Social Media The International Home + Housewares Show is a not only a show for buyers and exhibitors to place orders and show items, but also a place to learn about the future and direction of the home and housewares industry. The Housewares Design Theater and Education Sessions offer attendees the chance to listen and learn from peers as well…

2011 Hot Housewares for Holidays NYC Press Event Announced

May 10, 2011

Check out the hottest holiday housewares products before they hit the shelves this Fall By Debbie Teschke, Manager of Media Relations & Communications Though the calendar says May and most people are making plans for summer vacations, barbecues and pool parties, gift guide editors at newspapers, monthly magazines, product-focused websites and other media outlets are…

Inside Discover Design: urban butik

May 4, 2011

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development This week we talked to Jean-Luc Bouchard of urbak butik. He has an interesting perspective as an exhibitor who has participated in a few of our Shows and excplains just how much of an impact Discover Design had for design-focused products compared to years past. Marie: What is the inspiration behind the design…

Setting Records: 2011 Housewares Charity Gala

May 3, 2011

By Judy Colitz, Manager of Special Events & Executive Services The Housewares Charity Foundation is committed to raising funds as well as awareness for breast cancer research, evidenced by the $21 million raised since the 1998 inception of our charity foundation. This year was no different as the HCF raised over $2.4 million alone (going over $2 million for the…