Housewares SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/eehwCfbwoceXrxbRzbdE

January 3, 2013

News for and about the housewares industry

Industry Update

Lowe's is coming to Washington, D.C., market
Lowe's is reportedly preparing to open its first outlet in Washington, D.C. The home improvement retailer will join Costco as an anchor for a shopping center by Fort Lincoln New Town Corp. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C./WBJ Breaking Ground blog (12/31)

Designer crafts award-winning teapot
Ran Xiangfei was named winner of best tableware design at the Elle Decoration International Design Awards 2012 China. His Landscape Teapot will go on to compete in the global competition in Milan in April. China Daily (Beijing) (12/31)

Trends & Innovations

Coffee gains ground in India
Coffee consumption is on the increase in urban areas across India as coffee shop culture takes hold and retailers offer a widening variety of options for home brewing systems. Appliance makers including Panasonic and Philips have seen sales increase as cafe chains like Barista Lavazza and Costa Coffee have helped drive up national consumption by 6% a year. The Economic Times (India) (1/1)

Juicer aims to make work efficient and easy
Robot Coupe's J100 Ultra Juicer is designed for fast, efficient juicing for both personal and commercial use. It features an auto-feed system and is tall enough to place a blender's pitcher beneath the spout. QSRMagazine.com (12/28)

Retail News

John Lewis, Next report upbeat holiday results
Cooler autumn and winter weather and strong online sales proved a good combination for UK retailers John Lewis and Next, which reported strong like-for-like sales growth in December. John Lewis reported a 13% jump over last year, and Next saw its online sales grow 11.2%; analysts expect less growth in food sales when UK supermarket chains start announcing their holiday results next week. The Guardian (London) (1/2), BBC (1/3), The Telegraph (London) (tiered subscription model) (1/2)

Dollar Tree growth prompts distribution center expansion
Dollar Tree plans to expand its distribution center in Marietta, Okla., as a reflection of the company's growth. The Marietta center supplies products to stores in 12 states including Kansas, Colorado and Texas. Drug Store News (1/2)

December sales reflect ups and downs
Costco beat analysts expectations with a 9% jump in December same-store sales, and Macy's booked an increase of 4.1% over the same month last year, although not every retailer fared as well. The month's uneven results reflect the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the Newtown, Conn., shootings, as well as concerns about the "fiscal cliff", analysts and retail executives said. CNBC (1/3), USA Today (1/3)

Finance & Policy

Congress prepares for fight over U.S. debt limit
U.S. officials are preparing for their next big fight: raising the national debt limit. President Barack Obama, however, says he won't participate in any debate regarding the debt ceiling. "I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they've already racked up through the laws that they passed," Obama said. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/2), The Washington Post (1/2), The Christian Science Monitor (1/2), Reuters (1/3)

Analysts: Budget deal offers little hope for hiring, sales growth
Uncertainty created by lawmakers' temporary fix for the budget crisis leaves little hope that the U.S. economy will benefit from improved sales, hiring or an influx of investment, business analysts say. The next battle in Congress over raising the debt limit likely will depress consumer and business sentiment for months, they said. The Washington Post (1/2)

IHA News

Enter your product in the IHA Innovation Awards
Once again, International Home + Housewares Show exhibitors' latest creations and cutting-edge innovations will receive recognition with the second annual IHA Innovation Awards. The finalists will be spotlighted in the New Product Showcases, located in the Buyers Club in each Show building. A panel of expert judges, including seasoned designers, retailers and industry experts, will select submissions that represent the best in each of 13 product categories. To be eligible, a product must be entered in the New Product Showcase. The winners will be announced on Saturday, March 2. Learn more.

Minimize your environmental impact while maximizing profitability
Sustainability is a critical issue in the housewares industry, and with the FTC's recent guidelines on greenwashing, suppliers need as much information as possible on this important business strategy. IHA offers members access to experts in sustainability certification, environmental innovation, eco-assessment and eco-lifestyle branding. Learn how these services can help your company maximize its profitability, grow market share and enhance your competitive advantage, all while minimizing your environmental impact. Learn more.

Learn more about IHA ->

Housewares News | Knowledge Center | Become an IHA Member
Housewares Connect 365

SmartQuote

Well done is better than well said."

--Benjamin Franklin,
American inventor and statesman

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy

Advertise

Publisher: Chris Warne (917) 605-0413

Read more at SmartBrief.com
A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including:
Industry Home Readers' Choice Search Archive Grab our News Widget Get this RSS Feed Publish your Press Release Download a SmartBrief Mobile app today


	Recent Housewares SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 Monday, December 31, 2012 Friday, December 28, 2012 Thursday, December 27, 2012 Wednesday, December 26, 2012			Lead Editor: Liz DeHoff Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004