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…

International Housewares Association

2018 International Home + Housewares Show is Sold Out

The 2018 International Home + Housewares Show sold out in late December, more than 10 weeks before opening day, according to the International Housewares Association (IHA), the Show’s owner and operator. The Show begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 10 and closes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13. “The high demand to be a part of our world-class marketplace continues for our…

The Smart Kitchen: Trends and Early Success Stories

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Informing Innovation: Meet Greg Kahn, GK Digital Media, Santiago Merea, Yummly; Jenny Cooper, Google and Mike Fretwell, Jarden Consumer Solutions Home environments, kitchen appliances, phones—how do they connect and why? Physical products that respond to our activities and communicate with each other and with services promise…

Living the Dream

If Patricia Velez embarks on a new venture, her passion is the project’s driving force. Inspiring others has also always been paramount to her, and so her latest incarnation—as the founder and CEO of Ambiente Living —has meant bringing these two facets of her approach to life and work together. There are now 30 Ambiente Gourmet stores in Colombia and two Ambiente Living…

China’s Consumers Begin to Awake

Andy Kessler, former hedge fund manager, has a recent piece in the Op Ed section of the Wall Street Journal in which he says, “This trend toward consumerism is already under way—China’s big cities are plastered with ads for Porsche, Gucci and Apple products. Some 600 million Chinese have smartphones. Uber and local Didi Kuaidi are battling it out to offer rides. Airbnb is…

Sainsbury Agrees on $1.9 Billion Deal for Home Retail Group

The Wall Street Journal reports that UK supermarket retailer Sainsbury has struck a deal to buy Home Retail group, parent of UK retailer Argos. Details are available from the Wall Street Journal here. (Subscription required) IBC Members may view the Key Retail Profiles on Argos and Sainsbury here. If you are a current IBC Member and need assistance with your username and…

IHA’s Judy Colitz Passes Away

With profound sadness, the International Housewares Association announces the passing of Judy Colitz on Tuesday, Jan. 26 from complications of breast cancer. Judy served as manager, special events & executive services. She joined IHA in 1993 in the membership services department and over the years has served as manager of membership services and manager of executive…

It’s Smart to Have Heart at Housewares Charity Foundation 2016 Gala

Industry Leaders Terry Lundgren and Lester Gribetz to Receive Honors Terry Lundgren, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Macy’s, Inc., and Lester Gribetz, president of Lenox Corporation, will be honored by the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) during its 19th Annual Housewares Charity Foundation Gala on Monday evening, March 7, during the 2016 International Home +…

HAVE DINNER ON US! BOOK YOUR DISCOUNTED HOTEL ROOMS NOW!

Book your hotel room in the official Show block between now and February 20, 2015 to be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card to one of our partner restaurants. Multiple winners will be rewarded. Book Your Hotel Room Winners will be notified by February 25, 2015. Click here for IHA's promotional terms. No purchase necessary. To participate without booking hotel rooms,…

Discover Design: A Judge’s View of 2014 – Meet Terri Winter

Retailers and media looking for trend-setting, high-design products at the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show headed for Discover Design in South Building. The premier design destination at the Show, Discover Design hosted more than 100 exhibitors that presented distinctive products in the Tabletop, Gift and Home Décor categories. The Show also introduced 10 emerging…

Perfectly Porland