Story Snapshot:
- 87 percent of IHA members report significant tariff impacts in newly released survey
- 90 percent delayed or canceled shipments due to costs
- 27 percent already reduced workforce; more anticipate cuts
- Only 8 percent have shifted manufacturing to the U.S.
The ups and downs of tariffs put in place by the Trump administration have been making waves through different industries, some hit harder than others. For home and housewares, the struggles continue despite the current 90-day pause, according to a new survey from International Housewares Association (IHA) members.
According to the survey, 87 percent of IHA members have been significantly impacted by the tariffs – 97 percent said they have been impacted significantly or somewhat – and many have had to cancel shipments, increase prices and even reduce their workforce.
“While the recent 90-day reduction in the 145 percent tariffs from China was a welcome development, this survey demonstrates the ongoing, substantial impact of tariffs on home and housewares companies – and ultimately, retailers and consumers,” said Derek Miller, IHA president and CEO. “Our members are telling us the current landscape is extremely challenging and making it very difficult for their businesses to succeed.”
The participating companies were asked the top three countries where they manufacture products and the overwhelming majority was China (93 percent), followed by India (24 percent), Vietnam (20 percent), Taiwan (8 percent), EU and Europe (7 percent), Indonesia (7 percent), Thailand (5 percent) and Mexico (3 percent).
“Although we launched our business in 2020 with the intention of manufacturing our products in the USA, it became apparent early on that we needed to source where the cost/value/quality far exceeded what we could get in our own country,” said Ann Marie Mendlow, president and co-founder of U.S.-based Werkshoppe.
While some companies have been holding out as long as possible to implement any changes in response to the tariffs, some had to act early on. Of those who already responded in some fashion, 90 percent said they have had to delay or cancel product shipments. More than a quarter (27 percent) of those companies have had to reduce their workforce.
For the companies that anticipate having to respond to the impact of tariffs in the future, another 41 percent say they may have to reduce their workforce.
“We have been doing business and employing hundreds of Americans for over 40 years,” said Paul Cosaro, CEO of Picnic Time, Inc. “These tariffs may very well force us to reduce headcount, not increase it.”
Other key findings on how companies have already responded include:
- 72 percent have absorbed cost increases.
- 62 percent have increased retail prices.
- 47 percent have shifted manufacturing to other foreign countries.
- 8 percent have shifted manufacturing to the United States.
Key findings on how companies anticipate having to respond include:
- 74 percent anticipate delaying or canceling product shipments in the future.
- 54 percent anticipate absorbing cost increases.
- 60 percent anticipate shifting manufacturing to other foreign countries.
- 13 percent anticipate shifting manufacturing to the United States.
“We are operating in a dense fog until definite trade deals are made – we cannot know what our costs will be,” said David McClees, president of Talus Products. “It takes months to find reliable, quality resources, produce and ship product. Supply chains are long, and we expect stock-outs, higher prices and turmoil ahead.”
Respondents represented a sample of member companies, with 11 percent of respondents having more than 500 employees, 3 percent having 201-500, 13 percent having 51-200, 49 percent having 10-50, and 25 percent having less than 10. 123 housewares professionals completed surveys between May 5-12, 2025.
