During the 2000 International Housewares Show, IHA introduced the Global Innovator Award, gia, recognizing excellence in housewares retailing from around the world.

gia was created with the objective of fostering innovation in housewares retailing throughout the world. The competition is structured on a two-tier level; national and global. Co-sponsoring the country-specific gia award programs with IHA are 25 housewares trade publications worldwide, who sponsor national gia programs in their respective countries or regions.

Each participating publication accepts applications from companies and can make independent nominations for their national gia award. Nominations may occur in three categories: Independent/Specialty Homegoods Retailers (max 5 stores), Department Stores with homegoods departments/Specialty Chain Stores (more than 5 stores) and Mass Marketers/Large Format Stores with homegoods departments (more than 10 stores).

Juries appointed by each publication select national winners who then participate in the global competition at the International Home + Housewares Show in March each year. Up to five retailers will be further honored as global honorees based on the determination of a distinguished panel of international retail experts. Both national winners and global honorees are recognized and prominently featured at the Show and on this web site with a special photo exhibit of their merchandising efforts. In addition, one national winner is selected for the Top Window award.

For more information about gia, contact international2009@housewares.org.