Eleven housewares suppliers looking to grow their international business recently took part in a trade mission to Mexico, August 21 to 26, sponsored by the International Housewares Association.
Participants included Allied Kitchenware Company International, Gondol Plastik, Honey-Can-Do International, Marcato, Maverick Industries, Patisse Nederland, Picnic Time, Progressive International, Spectrum Diversified Designs, Whitford Corporation and Whitmor.
The IHA members met with key home and housewares retailers in Mexico City and Monterrey as well as toured the retailers’ outlets, focusing on competitive and complimentary products and understanding how their category of products were merchandised, priced and packaged at the retail level.
In Mexico City, the vendors met with home and housewares retailers, including Amazon Mexico, Casa Palacio/Palacio de Hierro, Chedraui, Idea Interior/Ideas Domesticas, Liverpool and Sears Mexico.
“It’s very rare to be able to get to the right buying contact at a retailer. Generally, you can give a catalog and a card, but this has been the best opportunity to sit with the right buyer to discuss your products,” said Franklin Serphos, international sales director at Patisse Nederland. “Even at a trade fair, you don’t always have the opportunity to make such an impression on the right buyers because the buyers see dozens of suppliers each day.”
In Monterrey, the vendors visited retailers including HEB Mexico, Lowe’s Mexico, Grupo Famsa and Soriana.
“The retailers we met in both Mexico City and Monterrey were pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the format of the trade mission. Several expressed interest in products presented by the group and even solicited some quotations during meetings, meaning there is a chance that we see new products in some of the Mexican retail stores before the end of 2016,” said Lourdes Ramírez, managing partner, business development partners, IHA’s Mexico office.
IHA’s trade missions allow members to explore new markets and meet one-on-one with global retailers to discuss potential sales opportunities and follow up on existing business. The next trade mission will be held October 30 to November 4, focusing on the home and housewares markets in Australia and New Zealand.
