2026 gia Awards

They also selected winners of two other special awards: The Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising was awarded to Kabinett of Australia and Casa Cuesta of Dominican Republic. The gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing was awarded to Home Centre of Saudi Arabia.

The gia program was created by International Housewares Association (IHA) and The Inspired Home Show to foster innovation and excellence in home and housewares retailing throughout the world. Since the launch of gia in 2000, there have been over 600 gia retail award winners, from 60 countries on six continents.

The competition is structured on a two-tier level, national and global, evaluating retailers within the following categories:

►  Overall mission statement, vision and strategy

►  Store design and layout

►  Visual merchandising, displays and window displays

►  Marketing, advertising and promotions

►  Customer service and staff training

►  Innovation

Co-sponsoring the country-specific gia award programs with IHA are housewares trade associations and publications worldwide, which sponsor national gia programs in their respective countries. The Center for Consumer Products is the national sponsor for Canada.

This year, 31 national gia winners from 30 countries competed for the five Global Awards. In addition to the gia awards dinner, there was a special display at The Inspired Home Show in the Grand Concourse Lobby introducing the national winners to visitors and exhibitors.

Both gia national winners and Global Honorees are also recognized in a gallery on TheInspiredHomeShow.com/Awards/gia-Retailing.

Although, our Canadian gia Award winner, Boutique Crème from Montreal, did not win one of the Global awards, the store represented our country well in the competition and can be very proud of their efforts and retail success.

Boutique Crème, Montreal, QC boutique1101.com

Is known as a Montreal destination where culinary passion, storytelling and lifestyle unite – elevating home cooking into a shared, memorable experience. The store’s curated selection of premium European and Québec-made products highlights craftsmanship, sustainability, thoughtful design and local talent. With knowledgeable advisors and warm, extraordinary service, Boutique Crème creates meaningful and memorable culinary moments. There’s also “Moments Gourmands” workshops – intimate cooking experiences led by local chefs – which celebrate learning, sharing and connection through food. For customized cooking experiences, there are backyard plancha workshops, pasta and sauce ateliers with guest Italian chefs from Italy, Michelin star guest appearances and more.

Winners of the 2026 IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design Announced 

In addition to the awards in retail excellence, twelve new products from up-and-coming companies and well-established brands were announced as Global Honorees in the IHA’s 2026 Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design during the gia Gala dinner ceremony. Winning in the best Cleaning Product Category was CFCP member company Gleener Inc. Congratulations to Kim Cole and her team.

Here were the 12 winning companies in the various product categories:

►  Bath + Personal Care: Brabantia USA – Steam & Ironing Board D, 135 x 45cm

►  Cleaning: Gleener Inc. – Swift Plus

►  Cook + Bakeware: Brod & Taylor – Bread Proofing Bannetons

►  Home Décor + Gifts: Cribsi Inc. – Luna Lantern

►  Home Organization + Storage: Deli, Inc. – Stacking Tool Organizer

►  Household + Home Electrics: DREO – TurboCool™ Misting Fan 765S

►  Kitchen Electrics: JURA Inc. – JURA C9 Piano Inox

►  Kitchen Hand Tools + Cutlery: DK Household Brands Corp. – Susi 4 Garlic Press

►  Kitchenware: Prepara – Berry Pod

►  Luggage, Travel Goods + Accessories: Bluevua.com – Ropot R/O Water Purifier for Travel

►  Pet Products: PawsPik™ – CeramiFlow Ceramic Battery-Operated Pet Water Fountain

►  Tabletop: Vacane Home Concepts, Inc. – Bento Box Large

“We’re pleased to recognize these innovative brands and offer another platform to elevate outstanding new products for the home,” said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO. “We know that consumers today are craving innovative solutions, while also injecting connection, joy and wellness into their daily lives.”

Entries were judged by an independent panel of industry experts, which included designers, retailers and buyers from Arizona State University, Artichoke, Cook’s Warehouse, Cunningham Designs, Friedman Design, HTI Buying Group, In the Kitchen, Lekka Retail, Leon & Lulu, National Building Museum, Pampered Chef, Quality Products, RLD Intl, Sign of the Bear, and Volume Studios LLC.

The panel selected five finalists in each of the 12 categories after an initial round of judging in February. These finalists were then evaluated in a second round of judging earlier this week to determine each of the Global Honorees. All product finalists can also be viewed online at https://www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/awards/gia-product/.

Congratulations to all the winners!