Global

European Retail: Schwarz Group – Implications with Carrefour & Tesco

In the UK, the Guardian is quoting a new Planet Retail report as saying "the company behind the Lidl supermarket chain is set to become western Europe's biggest grocery retailer by 2018 as discounters become mainstream across the continent.": According to the story, the report predicts "that the privately owned Schwarz Group, which is controlled by a German multibillionaire…

Housewares Exports Grow in 2013

Report and analysis by: Laura Spingola, Trade Resources Ltd. 2013 was a positive year for housewares exports as they grew 3.9% to nearly $4.3 billion. This is a record high! Almost all export markets expanded, though the pace was more moderate than that of the previous four years. Houseware exports have now climbed 12.8% over the past two years. This is a testament to the…

Retail News from Around the World: 4/9/2014

Walmart India Planning a long run in India, Wal-Mart to open 50 wholesale stores in next 4-5 years, to enter ecommerce, strengthen compliance procedures: "Wal-Mart is committed to India and we are excited about our growth plans and we will continue to focus on the cash-and-carry format as we are very happy with the way it has shaped up in the last few years," Walmart Asia…

Australia Home & Housewares Market Overview: Insight to Consumer Buying

IBC Members have access to the Australian Home & Housewares Market Report prepared in September 2013, highlighting specifics makeup of the market in Australia as well as demographics influencing consumer purchasing. In addition to the many Australian retailers described within the Australian Home & Housewares Market Report, members are encouraged to review the…

Helpful Tips for Domestic Licensing

American companies have been successfully manufacturing high quality OEM products in China for decades. Many of the goods produced at their Chinese partner factories are immediately exported back to America or other international markets for outside consumption. With China’s ever-growing middle class and government policies aimed specifically at increasing domestic consumption,…

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…

Recap: Quantifying Design’s ROI: Determining Design’s Impact on Housewares Brand Success and How to Optimize It

All too often design is considered the “last decoration station” rather than the first five minutes of branding because traditional subjective measures fail to indicate the truest value of product design, return on investment (ROI). But, hard outcomes such as increased sales, profits, market share growth and market valuation can be used to quantify it, according to Rob Wallace,…

Thirteen Companies Honored with 3rd Annual IHA Innovation Awards

Thirteen housewares suppliers ranging from name brands to small entrepreneurs were honored as winners of the third annual IHA Innovation Awards today. The winners in each of 13 categories were announced on the first day of the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show, now taking place through Tuesday, March 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Winners are: Bath + Personal Care:…

Discovering Design: Meet Sagaform

Get to know the people behind the stylish products that will appear at the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show in Discover Design.Ourconversations with exhibitors give you a glimpse of the inspirations, influences and ideas that go into creating the exciting products that you’ll see very soon at McCormick Place. Today we’re speaking with Ingerid Mohn, president, Sagaform…