International Housewares Association

Industry Education, Tradeshow, Resources + More - IHA

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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. […]

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 […]

December 14 – Auchan Declares No Discussions about Tie-Up with Carrefour Previously reported discussions between France’s Auchan and Carrefour to tie-up the two retailers are now reported to be over, with Auchan declaring that there is no contact between the two families that control Auchan (AUCH.UL) and Carrefour (CARR.PA).  From Reuters December 14 – UK’s […]

We spent time with Brendan Bauer, co-president and co-founder, to hear about how Grand Fusion Housewares was established. This first-time exhibitor will premier its varied product lines at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show in booth N8533 in Discover Design. Brendan, tell us about how/year your company was founded.  Grand Fusion Housewares, Inc. was founded in […]

Sustainability is on the minds of many consumers and they are bringing the topic to both retailers’ attention and product assortments. Sustainability—the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance, according to research firm The NPD Group’s Health Aspirations & Behavioral Tracking Service—also is used in a broader sense […]

For complete information about IHA and the International Home + Housewares Show visit: www.housewares.org To access IHA’s Consumer site, visit: www.TheInspiredHome.com  

The 119th Congress and Budget Reconciliation

When the 119th Congress began on Jan. 3, 2025, the big question was whether House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) would have the votes to keep his post with the Republican majority at 219-215 per Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-FL) departure.  Johnson could only lose one Republican vote to hold the necessary 218 for reelection but he prevailed with President-elect Trump corralling wayward…

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U.S. Retail Intelligence – January

December 30 – Big Lots’ New Deal Could Keep up to 400 Stores Open Under the transaction, Variety Wholesalers would acquire at least 200 stores and up to two distribution centers, saving jobs in the process. From: Retail Dive   December 23 – Party City to Close all Stores in Bankruptcy The party supplies specialist also announced it will close its entire footprint, which…

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What You Need to Know About the 2025-26 Shipping Season

As we sail into the new year, it's time to batten down the hatches and prepare for some potential choppy waters. Here's the latest on the looming port strikes and a rundown of what you need to know about the 2025-26 shipping season. Port Strikes: A Storm on the Horizon? Remember the port strike in October? Well, we might be facing another one soon. The current contract…

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U.S. Retail Intelligence – December

November 27 – Nordstrom Q3 results top Street with strong results from off-price banner, digital By banner, Nordstrom Rack sales surged 10.6%, with comparable sales going up 3.9%. at Nordstrom Rack. At the Nordstrom banner, sales rose 1.3% and comp sales increased 4%. From: Chain Store Age   November 26 – Best Buy Misses Street Estimates as Wary Consumers Await…

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The Trump Tariff Strategy

The swearing-in of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025, will  alleviate the “tax uncertainty” that’s gripped businesses with the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at next year’s end.  Trump’s inauguration and Republican control of Congress means the TCJA will be extended and some provisions made permanent perhaps by the end…

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The 2024 Election and the Housewares Industry

The election of Donald Trump to a second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States will result in dramatic policy changes from Washington, DC, immediately after his swearing-in on Jan. 20, 2025.  He will start by issuing executive orders reversing those from his predecessor, President Joe Biden. One of the first actions by President Trump will likely be a…

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U.S. Retail Intelligence – November

October 31 – Big Lots Names Nexus Successful Bidder Amid Bankruptcy Proceedings In its bankruptcy proceeding, Big Lots has filed notice of a successful bidder for its assets, Gateway BL Acquisition, an affiliate of Nexus Capital Management. From: HomePage News   October 31 – Starbucks’ New Strategy Includes Four-Minute Service, Cozier cafes, Simpler Menu On the…

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Shipping Challenges in 2025

The year 2025 is shaping up to potentially be a wild ride in container shipping. From potential strikes to looming increased tariffs and Chinese New Year, there's a lot to keep an eye on. Let's break down the key challenges and see how they might impact your supply chains. East Coast Showdown: The ILA Contract Negotiations The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA)…

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East Coast Strike: A Deeper Dive into the Standoff

The ongoing strike by dockworkers on the U.S. East Coast has brought maritime trade to a standstill, leaving many to wonder: why hasn't a resolution been reached? While it appears counterintuitive, several factors incentivize both the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to prolong the strike. Why the Strike Drags…

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