| News for and about the housewares industry |  |
| Industry Update |  |  |
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| Trends & Innovations | | |
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- Study: Online campaigns boost real-world retail activity
Google AdWords campaigns have a dramatic effect on consumers' real-world shopping behavior, according to a RapidBlue analysis, boosting both stores' total foot-traffic and consumers time in-store by double-digit figures. That suggests that focusing on click-thru rates and other online-only metrics might be missing out on a substantial portion of digital campaigns' actual ROI, writes Dan Mitchell. CNNMoney/Fortune
(8/6)     
| Retail News | | |
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- Retailers aim to recharge customer service efforts
Online retail is growing and putting more pressure on brick-and-mortar retailers, many of which are boosting efforts to improve customer service. Using scripted approaches to customer service, creating more flexible return policies and giving sales associates more training, retailers hope to gain loyalty from in-store consumers. "Service is even more important than it's ever been. If I'm going to spend the time and effort of going to a store, the service had better be good," said Saks CEO Stephen I. Sadove. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(8/6)
| Finance & Policy | | |
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- Shoppers pulled out the plastic less often in June
U.S. credit card debt fell 5% in June as consumers cut back on credit card spending amid concerns about high unemployment and slow economic growth, according to the Federal Reserve. Americans have lessened their dependence on plastic since the recession, and total June credit card debt of $864.6 billion was only 1.6% above the post-downturn low of April 2011. USA TODAY/The Associated Press
(8/7)
- Online sales tax bills spark concern for small business
Bills under consideration in both houses of Congress that would require businesses to collect sales taxes for online purchases are raising concerns about the impact on small online businesses. Both bills contain some exemptions for smaller business, but have different definitions of businesses that would qualify. Forbes
(8/7)
| IHA News | | |
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CHESS 2012 to feature blue-ribbon supplier panel
A panel of blue-ribbon housewares suppliers, including Peter Cameron of Lenox, Linda Graebner of Chef'n Corp. and Jeff Siegel of Lifetime Brands, will answer tough questions about the industry during the Day 2 keynote presentation at CHESS 2012, Oct. 16 and 17 at the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill. CHESS is open to all IHA member companies and includes general and break-out sessions on global market trends and overviews, healthcare reform, critical dot-com strategies, MAP pricing, brand protection and updates on the 2012 election and the retail industry. Sign up today.
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Global Forum features international retailers, market opportunities
Key international retailer and distributor buyers from Lakeland (U.K. and Middle East), Casa Palacio (Mexico), McPhearson's (Australia), 4Homes (Middle East) and Export Now (China) will explain how to do business with their companies at the 2012 HECNA Global Forum, Sept. 19-21 at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz. Open to all IHA member companies, the program will provide thorough market-specific education on topics focused on expanding international sales. It is appropriate for both veteran and novice international sales managers. Learn more.
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 | If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."
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| | Recent Housewares SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, August 07, 2012
- Monday, August 06, 2012
- Friday, August 03, 2012
- Thursday, August 02, 2012
- Wednesday, August 01, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Liz DeHoff
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