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Retail: KZN: For the focused, demand is there

Published: 29th Aug 2022
Author: Tony Dickson - S&V Editor

Durban, KZN, SA - Airways Tailors & Outfitters has adapted to trading conditions by sharing premises and concentrating on its core competence - tailoring. Owner Navin Khoosal has moved into Wayne Matthysen's Bluedot store. "He's the retailer, I'm the tailor," he said.
      He said there had "definitely been a recovery in demand for men's suits because people have reasons to dress up".
      "We don't make as many new suits as we used to. Most of the demand is for alterations." He said demand was across all age groups.

Ladysmith, KZN, SA - For Bhayla's American Man Shop, which dates back to 1947, business is mostly fairly stable, but the second half of August has been poor, partner Saeed Bhayla said.
      "We don't normally have very high or very low periods," he said, "but the last 2 weeks have been really down. I don't know whether why or whether all other retailers have been affected - perhaps the petrol price increases have really started to bite. Maybe next week will improve - we have to hope so."
      He said with a stable customer base and a normally reasonable trade, the business hadn't made many changes beyond buying more carefully.

Howick, KZN, SA - Business is "very average, and for that we're very grateful", said Ian Johnson, director of Big John Clothing, an operation which specialises in outdoor wear and which includes a clothing factory, a wholesale division and a retail division.
      On the retail side, it has 1 outlet in Howick, but it makes extensive use of outdoor-orientated fairs and events. "Those are our cheapest form of advertising, and they work very well for us," he said. "What's good is that those shows are starting again, and we'll be doing a show next week."
      Big John doesn't currently offer online retailing, "but we're being forced into it", he said.
      Big John makes most of its own clothing - "Da Gama is the only textile mill left, but they do a good job". It no longer imports direct, but it does source some of its product from importers.

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