ROSEMONT, IL (December 27, 2004) - The International Housewares Association announced today that, in partnership with Housewaresdirect Inc., the 2005 International Home & Housewares Show will offer specialty retailers and their suppliers an all-new in-booth scanning program called Housewaresdirect Show Link. Buyers visiting the booths of participating exhibitors will be able to scan items of interest and receive a print out of all scanned items before they depart the Show. These buyers will also have access to a web-based listing of the items they selected when they return home.
"Our retail audience tells us that they welcome all tools that make their Show visit more productive " said Phil Brandl, president, International Housewares Association, the Show's non-for-profit owner and operator. "Tools such as Housewaresdirect Show Link will give participating retailers and exhibitors a great opportunity to follow-up on the business they planned at the Show."
Specialty retailers who take part in this free service will be given a small hand-held scanner to carry during the Show. The scanners have the ability to capture and store UPC information. Retailers visiting booths of participating Dine & Design (South Building) exhibitors will have the ability to scan UPCs on individual items of interest so that they can use it for follow-up after the Show.
"The use of Housewaresdirect Show Link technology at the 2005 Show will change the way both retailers and manufacturers interact at the Show," said Rick Agresta, president and CEO, ISI North America. "Our post-Show follow-up will become streamlined and our hottest products will reach the market much more efficiently."
For more information or to sign up to participate as an exhibitor or retailer, please visit www.housewaresdirect.com prior to the Show or call 877-438-4932 (GET-HWD2). Registered attendees will be able to pick up and return their scanners at the Housewaresdirect counter across from Booth S2157, South Building.
