International Housewares Association

Encouraging Signs From Bed Bath & Beyond

By Peter Giannetti I was greeted upon my arrival at the International Housewares Association in March with the opportunity to participate in the inaugural IHA Connect SPRING virtual event. The event’s array of keynotes, sessions and virtual product demonstrations delivered compelling insight into how developments of the past year have recalibrated practices and products…

Look Deeper For The Real Story

By Peter Giannetti Encouraging signs at retail continue as we head toward a back half of widespread vaccination and potentially easing pandemic restrictions. But under the surface of such positive development bubbles some uncertainty for a home and housewares business that has soared as a shopper priority during the pandemic. Read past the boldfaced type of the 9.8%…

Some Things Never Change

by Peter Giannetti There were many things the past year about which I never imagined I’d have to write. The next line is one of them: I attended my first in-person trade show in 14 months. When I stepped inside the lobby of 41 Madison Avenue recently for the spring New York Tabletop Show, it began my first physical show experience since Germany’s Ambiente in February of…

COVID-Related Legislative and Regulatory Changes for Employers

On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. The $1.9 trillion “ARP” is different than the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that passed with bipartisan votes in March 2020 and initiated the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and new tax breaks. Aside from targeted financial programs for…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – March

March 27 – Star Market Goes Big in FenwayThe retailer is planning a 50,000-square-foot store for a mixed-use development as part of an expansion at 401 Park. From: Win sight Grocery Business March 26 – J.C. Penney's Interim Chief Sees Signs of GrowthJ.C. Penney is seeing weekly improvements, especially in specific growth categories including workout wear and home goods,…

U.S. Retail Intelligence – February

February 26 – Meijer Plans Supplier Diversity Event In MayMeijer in May will host a supplier diversity event, giving businesses nationwide the opportunity to showcase their offerings for interested merchants at the retailer. From: HomeWorld Business February 26 – Qurate Beats Wall Street Q4 Earnings EstimateQurate Retail beat a Wall Street Q4 earnings estimate as sales…

State Legislation Looks to Manufacturers to Fund Recycling Costs

In recent months, a barrage of state-level bills has been introduced throughout the country seeking to generate revenue from product manufacturers for the costs of recycling their products and packaging. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bills seek to extract funding from manufacturers to cover the escalating costs of recycling materials. Traditionally, these…

Peter Giannetti Joins International Housewares Association

Industry veteran will lead news, content and education efforts at the Association ROSEMONT, IL (Feb. 18, 2021) –The International Housewares Association announced today that Peter Giannetti will join the organization as Director, Editorial, Content and Education. In this role, Giannetti will oversee development and delivery of industry-wide content and resources intended to…

Housewares Industry Rises to Challenges of Pandemic Year, Prepares for What 2021 May Bring

Focus on supply chain management, a truly omni-channel marketplace and changing consumer wants/needs (for now) ROSEMONT, IL (Jan. 20, 2021)– If there was one universal lesson from 2020, it was the importance of being adaptable. This was, after all, the year when a pandemic quickly took over the world – complete with retail and manufacturing shutdowns, combined with…