Footwear Industry Articles
- Obituary: Zelton Wiskin – footwear agent (24/03/1958-24/01/2025) : A ‘well lubricated’ memoryZelton Wiskin, my friend.I'm sure you won't mind me sharing a fond memory of you with the shoe industry.In the good old days as shoe agents, we became good friends. You were taught by one of the best in the business (Aubrey). In those days we knew how to have fun and entertain our customers who became our friends.My best memory was when w ...moreWhat to do about Temu and Shein: SA’s apparel retailers look to government, and even Trump, to slow the flood
It’s quite funny, really.Seldom have so many South African apparel retailers been as united as they are in their opposition to twin international threats, ecommerce retailers Temu and Shein, while simultaneously, many of their own managements and staffs – and their families – are not-so-secret customers of those same ent ...moreDodo’s: Addressing structural challenges essential if local retailers are to remain competitive in the long term
The Effects of TEMU and SHEIN on South African Retail: A Perspective from Dodo’s and Franco Ceccato chains.The emergence of online retailers like TEMU and SHEIN has significantly impacted the South African retail landscape, especially for brick-and-mortar stores such as our Dodo’s and Franco Ceccato chains. These platforms are ...moreKingsmead: Tax them, don’t ban them
Is your business affected by Temu and Shein, and can you quantify that in any way?We have not significantly felt the effect of Temu and Shein, that being said, it is early days and apparel retailers would probably feel the effects first.How do their prices compare to yours?From what I have seen both Temu and Shein offer a low-price model, ...moreJumbo: I’m sure we’re affected, but it’s not huge
East London, E. Cape, SA – They affect every business, I’m sure, though I don’t know how much. I certainly don’t know how much they affect mine, but it’s not massively.The way to counteract them is to improve customer service – after all, we’re on the ground. I suppose also improve our buying.&nbs ...moreWhere are we heading as a society? From slip-on shoes to revolutionary shoelace solutions
21 January 2025 – In a world increasingly defined by convenience and technology, even footwear reflects profound societal changes. The rise of slip-on shoes, led by innovators like Kizik, and the advent of transformative solutions such as Twirlys’ no-tie shoelaces highlight our collective pursuit of simplicity, efficienc ...moreTemu and Shein: Their marketing is overwhelmingThe only equitable and workable solution is via duties.“I saw my wife’s Shein invoice in November. For a mixed parcel, it included 20% duty,” he said. “So the duty our business pays for imported clothing, which is 50% to 60% of our buy, must either be dropped to 20%, or the duty Shein and Temu pay must be increased ...moreBergstan: Less affected on the plattelandNeither of those has had an effect on my business. I suppose it’s because my stores are more on the platteland. The only thing that has an effect on us is the economy. ...moreThe future of workers in India’s footwear and apparel factories is uncertain, as growing competition from Shein’s re-entry into India with lower-priced merchandise intensifies
07 January 2025 – Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion brand, is re-entering the Indian market through a partnership with Reliance’s Ajio platform, as reported by media outlets. The brand had been banned in 2020, alongside other Chinese apps, due to geopolitical tensions. Known for its affordable and trendy fashion delivered at rap ...moreAI-generated images of a Birkin bag show just how iconic and widely recognized its design has become. Even AI knows its distinctive look!
01 January 2025 – Walmart, America’s retail powerhouse, has disrupted the fashion industry with the “Wirkin Bag,” a budget-friendly alternative to Hermès’ iconic Birkin bag. Officially called the Kamugo Genuine Leather Handbag, the Wirkin has captivated social media, offering luxury aesthetic ...more© S&V Publications
