Buyer Connections + Education + Networking — This annual meeting of the International Business Council provides a platform for attendees to learn from key retailers, key distributors and industry-savvy specialists discussing relevant export topics and providing education on market entry, global product development and marketing strategies.
2023 Session Details
United Hardware is Ireland’s leading buying and marketing group for builders’ merchants, DIY and home & garden retail stores. The primary aim of United Hardware is to offer its independent members combined buying power, which will enable them to remain competitive in an environment dominated by large chains. Headquartered in Dublin, the group operates from a 140,000-sq-ft purpose-built warehouse which helps achieve its objective to deliver enhanced purchasing power, marketing, logistics and business advisory support to its independent retailers.
Presenter: Paul Candon, CEO, United Hardware
Canadian Tire, with 500 outlets throughout Canada, has a long-standing reputation for integrity and trustworthiness – attributes that have come to be expected by the retailer’s customers, the Canadian consumer, 90% of whom live within 15 minutes of a Canadian Tire location. Reporting retail sales of CAD 16.58 BN in 2020 (excluding Petroleum), Canadian Tire is committed to not only growing sales for profit, but also reinvesting in the Canadian community.
Carolyn McPhearson, vice president – merchandising, Living Division, will discuss the retailer’s strategies for purchasing home and housewares products based on consumer preference and the best-practices for selling to this key Canadian retailer.
Presenter: Carolyn McPhearson, Vice President – Merchandising, Living Division
Sodimac is a home improvement store with a presence in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Currently, the division has six different store formats: SodimacHomecenter, Sodimac Constructor, Imperial, Homy, Dicico and Maestro. With over 220 outlets in Latin America, Sodimac has more than 5 million customers entering its stores each month and aims to not only service its customers with innovative products in the store, but also with its efforts to continuously develop online offerings.
Patricia Barreiro, GMM of Home Décor, manages the central purchasing for the home and housewares category across all stores. This key category accounts for more than 25% of Sodimac’s sales. She will discuss the nuances of the LATAM market, Sodimac’s purchasing strategies and what makes for an ideal supplier to Sodimac.
Presenters: Patricia Barreiro, GMM, Sodimac; Melissa Garza Cantu, Housewares GMM, Mexico, Sodimac
Executives from Circana, the market research and analytics company created by the merger of The NPD Group and IRI, will provide a focused view of the opportunities for growth in Canada and Mexico, drawing on data from the $4 trillion-plus in global consumer spending. The session will help identify indicators of where home and housewares consumers and retailers are focusing and the growth trajectory in these two key North American markets.
Presenters: Renee Badiola, Director, Mexico Home, Circana; Pam Wood, Executive Director, Circana Canada
Born out of a manufacturing business, thinKitchen has become a distributor of home and housewares brands throughout India. thinKitchen serves as the sole distributor in India for renowned home and housewares brands. Anand Baldawa will present how, through a multi-channel approach, his company has availed access to premium international kitchenware and homewares products throughout the market.
Presenter: Anand Baldawa, CEO, thinKitchen
Based in Barcelona, Indòmit, sources global brands and distributesproducts within the home and housewares markets in Spain and Portugal, increasing awareness of and image in these brands.
This session will offer a transparent and direct overview presentation of their markets, including demographics, main channels and volume of sales, highlighting department stores, key home and housewares chains, HORECA, online, mass market and independent retailers, focusing on trends and nuances of the market and retailers.
Presenters: Marta Papasseit, CFO, Indòmit; Jordi Balius, CCO Indòmit
With a focus on East Africa’s housewares market, Vitu Zote is a thriving omni-channel retailer and distributor known for its exceptional products and customer-centric approach. Founded in 2014, Vituzote.com is a pioneering specialty housewares website that revolutionized the e-commerce landscape and housewares market in the region. Beginning with a focus on bakeware, the business rapidly expanded its product range and now trades in a wide array of home and garden categories and has established a physical presence in several prestigious tier 1 shopping malls across Kenya.
This session will present best practices for the markets in Eastern Africa where Vituzote.com operates, highlighting opportunities in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
Presenter: Aaron Thou, Managing Director, Vituzote
LivingKitchen, a division of EUROIDEA Group, specializes in curating distinctive collections of premier, western brands, imported to China in ranges of kitchenware, tableware, and small home appliances. LivingKitchen aims to
empower culinary creativity with accoutrements that elevate dining experiences with products of uncompromising quality.
Lin Guo, Vice President of LivingKitchen will discuss the company’s platform that encompasses physical stores and online website, both of which are curated to showcase a perpetually evolving assortment of meticulously crafted home and housewares products. Focus of the presentation will highlight how suppliers can best work with this Chinese distributor and retailer which not only distributes products, but also curates a lifestyle for the Chinese consumer. LivingKitchen strives to import and sell product that invite customers to explore, engage and embrace a journey that intertwines the culinary and the cultural, within the arena of the kitchen—a space where cooking, living, and enjoyment harmoniously converge.
Presenter: Lin Guo, Vice President, Beijing LivingKitchen Group
With a portfolio of more than 25 key markets, many of IHA’s Global Offices & Representatives will be in attendance for the Global Forum. Each Global Office and Representative will highlight the top 5 opportunities awaiting members in the markets where their businesses are focused. This session prepares exporters to explore the expertise and resources offered by this knowledgeable group of industry professionals during the Global Forum. Primary markets include: Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Middle East and the UK.
Presenters: IHA Global Offices & Representatives
Global Forum Pricing
Members
$900
Non-members
$1,800
Manufacturer Representatives
$900
Renee Badiola
Director, Mexico Home
Circana
Anand Baldawa
CEO
thinKitchen
Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor of The NPD Group, Inc., is a nationally known expert on consumer behavior and the retail industry. He has followed retail trends for more than 30 years, at NPD and as the head of leading fashion and apparel manufacturers as well as major retailers. As part of his work at NPD, Marshal leads many top firms in long-range and strategic-planning sessions. He often utilizes motivational presentations to help launch corporate goals and kick-off meetings. Marshal is the author of two books, Why Customers Do What They Do (2006) and Buy Me! How to Get Customers to Choose Your Products and Ignore the Rest (2010).
In addition to his duties at NPD, Marshal is a member of several boards of directors and has most recently been appointed to the Cotton Board and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). He is also a guest professor at North Carolina State University, School of Textiles. There, he introduces students and faculty to techniques for analyzing and applying data. Marshal has been a guest lecturer at the Wharton School of Business, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Savannah College of Art and Design. He has also been twice named to the Footwear News Power 100 list.
Marshal is also a regular contributor to many major media outlets. He is frequently quoted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, andWomen’s Wear Daily. Additionally, he appears on various television news programs, including “Today,” “Good Morning America,” and “CBS Sunday Morning,” and has been a regular guest on Bloomberg TV and Radio. He is also a sought-after speaker at key industry events such as MAGIC, The Fairchild CEO Summits, The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Convention, and The American Apparel and Footwear Association’s (AAFA) Annual Executive Summit. Recently, Marshal was the only industry expert who appeared in the documentary, “God Save my Shoes,” (godsavemyshoes.com), produced by Caid Productions.
Since joining NPD in 1999, Marshal has held a variety of positions analyzing and interpreting NPD’s uniquely combined consumer and point-of-sale tracking services for the apparel, footwear, accessories, and sports industries. His career began in the training program at Bloomingdale’s, where he worked his way up to merchandise manager. From there, he became president of WilliWear and subsequently president of Stanley Blacker. He was also founder, owner, and president of Motive Marketing Group.
Jordi Balius Matas
CCO
Indòmit
John Dick is the Founder and CEO of CivicScience, a polling and market intelligence company headquartered in Pittsburgh. He’s a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in new business formation, business development, and marketing.
John is the host of the successful podcast, The Dumbest Guy in the Room and author of What We’re SeeingÔ, the weekly email newsletter read by a who’s-who of business leaders, policymakers, and celebrities.
John is also a frequent speaker at the Carnegie Mellon University Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, a contributing writer for AdAge, Microsoft News, and Forbes and has appeared on Good Morning America, Yahoo! Finance, Cheddar, AXS-TV and as a speaker at numerous business and media conferences.
Patricia Barreiro
Vice President
Sodimac
Joe Derochowski is The NPD Group’s vice president, industry advisor for the home and home improvement industries. Joe has followed consumer behavioral trends throughout his career, developing a unique perspective on what consumers do and why they do it. Driven by this insight and his passion, Joe has been helping manufacturers and retailers identify opportunities for growth for the past 30 years, from product innovation to new marketing and merchandising opportunities. Joe’s background in all facets of business gives him the ability to connect the dots between the consumer and the marketplace and help companies understand today’s trends while anticipating future demands.
In addition to working closely with manufacturers and retailers throughout the home and home improvement industries, Joe is a frequent speaker at industry conferences where his combined consumer and industry-driven approach drives the insights he provides. He is also regularly quoted in trade and national media publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC, HomePage News, and HBS Dealer.
Joe received his MBA from Michigan State University and an undergraduate degree from GMI Engineering Management Institute. In addition to his tenure at The NPD Group, his previous work experience includes General Motors Parts, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, and Nielsen. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Paul Candon
CEO
United Hardware
Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor of The NPD Group, Inc., is a nationally known expert on consumer behavior and the retail industry. He has followed retail trends for more than 30 years, at NPD and as the head of leading fashion and apparel manufacturers as well as major retailers. As part of his work at NPD, Marshal leads many top firms in long-range and strategic-planning sessions. He often utilizes motivational presentations to help launch corporate goals and kick-off meetings. Marshal is the author of two books, Why Customers Do What They Do (2006) and Buy Me! How to Get Customers to Choose Your Products and Ignore the Rest (2010).
In addition to his duties at NPD, Marshal is a member of several boards of directors and has most recently been appointed to the Cotton Board and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). He is also a guest professor at North Carolina State University, School of Textiles. There, he introduces students and faculty to techniques for analyzing and applying data. Marshal has been a guest lecturer at the Wharton School of Business, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Savannah College of Art and Design. He has also been twice named to the Footwear News Power 100 list.
Marshal is also a regular contributor to many major media outlets. He is frequently quoted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, andWomen’s Wear Daily. Additionally, he appears on various television news programs, including “Today,” “Good Morning America,” and “CBS Sunday Morning,” and has been a regular guest on Bloomberg TV and Radio. He is also a sought-after speaker at key industry events such as MAGIC, The Fairchild CEO Summits, The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Convention, and The American Apparel and Footwear Association’s (AAFA) Annual Executive Summit. Recently, Marshal was the only industry expert who appeared in the documentary, “God Save my Shoes,” (godsavemyshoes.com), produced by Caid Productions.
Since joining NPD in 1999, Marshal has held a variety of positions analyzing and interpreting NPD’s uniquely combined consumer and point-of-sale tracking services for the apparel, footwear, accessories, and sports industries. His career began in the training program at Bloomingdale’s, where he worked his way up to merchandise manager. From there, he became president of WilliWear and subsequently president of Stanley Blacker. He was also founder, owner, and president of Motive Marketing Group.
Melissa Garza Cantu
Housewares GMM, Mexico
Sodimac
Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor of The NPD Group, Inc., is a nationally known expert on consumer behavior and the retail industry. He has followed retail trends for more than 30 years, at NPD and as the head of leading fashion and apparel manufacturers as well as major retailers. As part of his work at NPD, Marshal leads many top firms in long-range and strategic-planning sessions. He often utilizes motivational presentations to help launch corporate goals and kick-off meetings. Marshal is the author of two books, Why Customers Do What They Do (2006) and Buy Me! How to Get Customers to Choose Your Products and Ignore the Rest (2010).
In addition to his duties at NPD, Marshal is a member of several boards of directors and has most recently been appointed to the Cotton Board and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). He is also a guest professor at North Carolina State University, School of Textiles. There, he introduces students and faculty to techniques for analyzing and applying data. Marshal has been a guest lecturer at the Wharton School of Business, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Savannah College of Art and Design. He has also been twice named to the Footwear News Power 100 list.
Marshal is also a regular contributor to many major media outlets. He is frequently quoted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, andWomen’s Wear Daily. Additionally, he appears on various television news programs, including “Today,” “Good Morning America,” and “CBS Sunday Morning,” and has been a regular guest on Bloomberg TV and Radio. He is also a sought-after speaker at key industry events such as MAGIC, The Fairchild CEO Summits, The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Convention, and The American Apparel and Footwear Association’s (AAFA) Annual Executive Summit. Recently, Marshal was the only industry expert who appeared in the documentary, “God Save my Shoes,” (godsavemyshoes.com), produced by Caid Productions.
Since joining NPD in 1999, Marshal has held a variety of positions analyzing and interpreting NPD’s uniquely combined consumer and point-of-sale tracking services for the apparel, footwear, accessories, and sports industries. His career began in the training program at Bloomingdale’s, where he worked his way up to merchandise manager. From there, he became president of WilliWear and subsequently president of Stanley Blacker. He was also founder, owner, and president of Motive Marketing Group.
Lin Guo
Vice President, Living Division
LivingKitchen
John Dick is the Founder and CEO of CivicScience, a polling and market intelligence company headquartered in Pittsburgh. He’s a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in new business formation, business development, and marketing.
John is the host of the successful podcast, The Dumbest Guy in the Room and author of What We’re SeeingÔ, the weekly email newsletter read by a who’s-who of business leaders, policymakers, and celebrities.
John is also a frequent speaker at the Carnegie Mellon University Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, a contributing writer for AdAge, Microsoft News, and Forbes and has appeared on Good Morning America, Yahoo! Finance, Cheddar, AXS-TV and as a speaker at numerous business and media conferences.
Carolyn McPhearson
VP - Merchandising, Living Division
Canadian Tire
John Dick is the Founder and CEO of CivicScience, a polling and market intelligence company headquartered in Pittsburgh. He’s a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in new business formation, business development, and marketing.
John is the host of the successful podcast, The Dumbest Guy in the Room and author of What We’re SeeingÔ, the weekly email newsletter read by a who’s-who of business leaders, policymakers, and celebrities.
John is also a frequent speaker at the Carnegie Mellon University Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, a contributing writer for AdAge, Microsoft News, and Forbes and has appeared on Good Morning America, Yahoo! Finance, Cheddar, AXS-TV and as a speaker at numerous business and media conferences.
Marta Papasseit Boix
CFO
Indòmit
Joe Derochowski is The NPD Group’s vice president, industry advisor for the home and home improvement industries. Joe has followed consumer behavioral trends throughout his career, developing a unique perspective on what consumers do and why they do it. Driven by this insight and his passion, Joe has been helping manufacturers and retailers identify opportunities for growth for the past 30 years, from product innovation to new marketing and merchandising opportunities. Joe’s background in all facets of business gives him the ability to connect the dots between the consumer and the marketplace and help companies understand today’s trends while anticipating future demands.
In addition to working closely with manufacturers and retailers throughout the home and home improvement industries, Joe is a frequent speaker at industry conferences where his combined consumer and industry-driven approach drives the insights he provides. He is also regularly quoted in trade and national media publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC, HomePage News, and HBS Dealer.
Joe received his MBA from Michigan State University and an undergraduate degree from GMI Engineering Management Institute. In addition to his tenure at The NPD Group, his previous work experience includes General Motors Parts, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, and Nielsen. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Pam Wood
Executive Director, Canada
Circana
Joe Derochowski is The NPD Group’s vice president, industry advisor for the home and home improvement industries. Joe has followed consumer behavioral trends throughout his career, developing a unique perspective on what consumers do and why they do it. Driven by this insight and his passion, Joe has been helping manufacturers and retailers identify opportunities for growth for the past 30 years, from product innovation to new marketing and merchandising opportunities. Joe’s background in all facets of business gives him the ability to connect the dots between the consumer and the marketplace and help companies understand today’s trends while anticipating future demands.
In addition to working closely with manufacturers and retailers throughout the home and home improvement industries, Joe is a frequent speaker at industry conferences where his combined consumer and industry-driven approach drives the insights he provides. He is also regularly quoted in trade and national media publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC, HomePage News, and HBS Dealer.
Joe received his MBA from Michigan State University and an undergraduate degree from GMI Engineering Management Institute. In addition to his tenure at The NPD Group, his previous work experience includes General Motors Parts, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, and Nielsen. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Location
CHESS is being held at The Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare. IHA is pleased to partner with The Hilton to bring you a reduced nightly rate of $209. Book now.
Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare
5550 N. River Road,
Rosemont, IL 60018
USA
