Global Forum

Market Opportunities in Europe: Top Five Trends in UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany IHA Offices and Representatives

IHA brought insights from around the world to Global Forum attendees with short presentations by its offices in varied regions to close each morning and afternoon session. Mark Chapman, IHA UK Office Online Retail: The online retail space in the UK continues to diversify, even in the shadow of Amazon. There are many new, independent online retailers finding their niche in…

2020 IBC Global Forum Offers Buyer Connections, Networking Through Virtual Education Series

ROSEMONT, ILL (Sept. 10, 2020)—The 2020 IBC Global Forum, the annual gathering of the International Housewares Association’s International Business Council (IBC), will be held Sept. 22-24 as a series of virtual education sessions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The live-streamed event will offer housewares suppliers new to the international arena or veteran sales executives…

Wayfair/CastleGate: European e-Market Overview

As a preview to the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the European e-Market session presented by Evangeline Wiles, Associate Director, Wayfair/CastleGate: Wayfair’s order fulfillment and logistics division, CastleGate, partners with suppliers to provide access to a portfolio of services, including inventory management and reporting,…

KoolaWorld: South Africa Market Overview

As a preview to the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the South Africa Market Overview session presented by David Nourse, General Manager of KoolaWorld: KoolaWorld is an importer and distributor of home and housewares products in South Africa. The company relies on their established relationships with department stores, independent retailers,…

London Drugs: Key Canadian Retailer Update

As a preview into the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the retail overview session presented by James Norris, Merchandise Manager of London Drugs: With more than 17 years of experience working for London Drugs, James Norris, Merchandise Manager, has vast experience working with products in the non-electric housewares, hardware, laundry,…

Let’s Go – Let’s Grow: Reaching Success Factors for Global Growth

As a preview into the upcoming IBC Global Forum, to follow is additional information on the Executive Education Session presented by Dr. Richard Ettenson, Professor of Global Marketing and Brand Strategy of Thunderbird School of Global Management. Dr. Ettenson is an entrepreneur who has founded three start-ups and has published extensively, producing nearly 100 articles,…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Networking Reception

Attendees from over 10 countries at the 2017 IBC Global Forum gathered poolside at the East, Miami Hotel to network with old colleagues and to make new friends! The Global Forum is sponsored by the International Business Council (IBC), a special interest group of International Housewares Association members dedicated to increasing their international business.…

2017 Global Forum Recap: Export 101

The 2017 IBC Global Forum in Miami opened on Sunday afternoon September 17 with a one-hour session jam-packed with information for new exporters. This session, Export 101, geared for new Global Forum attendees and those who are new to the export business, also served as a refresher for experienced international marketers. Led by IBC Board member, Paul Michalowski, senior…

Market Overview: Denmark, Norway and Sweden

After hearing about the largest economy in the world, 2016 Global Forum attendees learned about the smaller, differentiated markets of Scandinavia to close the conference. Linus Kolmevik is the owner of Hippie de Luxe, a distributor of high-end kitchen tools and gadgets, kitchen living and small appliances within the Nordic markets of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Hippie de Luxe…