Back-to-school: Encouraging signs
Michael Wyatt, country manager, Bata SA
Pinetown, KZN, SA - We will only know the outcome of retail BTS sell out in February - January is too early to tell. But as a manufacturer and wholesaler we saw double digit growth vs. 2021 for full year sales, so another successful year for our brands.
Jannie Vermeulen, Ekspa Fabrikante/Adno's Outfitters
Benoni, Gauteng, SA - So far we have done very well with back-to-school 2022-2023. Our marketing seems to work. We use pamphlets which go direct to the parents, and we also advertise on Ekuhurleni 93,9 radio station. Our sales have gone well across the board, though shoes and schoolbags outshine the other products. I think our big range helps a lot.
Chiman Harjeven, Knights Shoes cc
Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA - First few days of BTS have seen a positive surge. Big improvement on the uncertainty of the last 2 years.
Abdul Hajat, Fanas
Bethlehem, Free State, SA - Back to school has always been a busy time of the year. However we have seen in the last few years with the changing economic situation that it has become part of the December trade. With the increase in the prices of goods the customers rather use their money to purchase items for back-to-school rather than spend on fashion, so in our business it has a positive and negative effect.
Sandeep Chunilal, Speri
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA - The first 10 days of December were very quiet. It started picking up from the 13th or 14th, but we're still down on last year. We don't do schoolwear, so January will be tough.
