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 Connect 365 Tip: Leave Your Mark With Visuals

January 11, 2011

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development Get noticed - Add catalogs and product images As part of your Housewares Connect 365 listing companies can add catalogs and/or product images FREE of charge. Show the media and housewares buyers what you have to offer by adding product photos or catalog sheets to your listing. In 2010, listings with images were…

Housewares History: The Coffee Grinder-Household Product & Dance Move

January 10, 2011

By Wes French Now & Then Happy new year housewares fans! 2010 was quite a ride, and now that we're all done celebrating, it's time to get focused on what's ahead in 2011. Everyone likes to start the year off well, but before your resolutions stall, you need something to start you up. Enter your morning cup of coffee. Coffee is the lifeblood of many in the morning, and…

Chicago Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel Named Industry Breakfast Speaker

January 10, 2011

IHA is proud to announce that Chicago Mayor-Elect Rahm Emanuel will be the guest speaker for the annual Industry Breakfast/IHA Meeting on Tuesday, March 8, during the 2011 International Home + Housewares Show. Emanual, the former White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama, will address the industry leaders of the housewares world from McCormick Place, also the site…

Invention Home Spotlight: Hideaway Cutting Board

January 7, 2011

By Wes French, Courtesy of Invention Home Cutting Boards. We use them in just about any meal prep, regardless of breakfast, lunch or dinner. They're a must in any kitchen and usually people have a few different sizes. They are obviously an integral part of any kitchen, but they are not the easiest item to store. Should you leave them on the counter? Sure, if you have enough…

A Little Help From Housewares…

January 6, 2011

By Wes French The Housewares Charity Foundation is proud to announce the 14th annual Charity Gala Dinner, set for Monday March 7, 2011. The Foundation has raised over $20 million since it's inception and continues to unite and promote the philanthropic image of the housewares industry. Charities & Honorees This year's event will benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation,…

Cooking for 60,000: Celebrity Chefs Showcase Talents at the 2011 Housewares Show

January 5, 2011

By Wes French, Social Media Coordinator The International Home + Housewares Show is showcasing the culinary talents of the world's most renown chefs for the seventh year in a row in 2011. This year's International Home + Housewares Show will again feature many recognizable faces from television as well as some of the top local talent from the Chicago area. The cooking…

Housewares Connect 365 Tip: Tell Your Story

January 4, 2011

By Marie Kulik, Manager of Exhibitor Business Development Tell Your Story - Add a Company Description As part of your Housewares Connect 365 listing companies can add a company description FREE of charge. Why not generate interest by telling them in your own words who you are and why they should do business with your company? Company descriptions can be as simple or as…

gia: Recognizing Global Innovation for 11 years, and counting

December 31, 2010

gia is responsible for identifying companies from around the globe that stand out each year in innovation and merchandising excellence. Sponsored by the IHA & International Home + Housewares Show, the Global Innovator Awards program identifies housewares retailers from more than 20 countries spanning five continents. The winners are showcased in Chicago at the annual…

Quick Recipes to Make Your Holiday Dinner Table Shine

December 29, 2010

Guest Blogger: Cooking with Caitlan The holidays are the one time of year when everyone gets a chance to flex their culinary muscle. And whether it’s the simple cookies you present your host or the multi-course feast you prepare for the people you love the most, you want what you create to be the best thing people eat all season. I'm blessed to have cooking in my blood, but…