S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol89 No5 May 2023
This Magazine is sponsored by SAFLIA
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Innovation
- Arsutoria trend workshops: ‘You have the most multi-ethnic society in Africa – use the inspirations,’ says Stefano Migliavacca.
05 Exports & Trade
- WEEFING their brand of gentleman’s magic around the world: The story of leather tie manufacturer WEEF.
07 Company News
- Bata SA plans to grow imports of its brands, including North Stars and Bubblegummers,' says country manager Michael Wyatt.
08 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- IMBOX Protection: The closed-box, plug-and-play solution for footwear protection.
- How Skechers is using celebrity collaborations to reach the African American market.
10 Global Markets
- Private labels capitalise on the cost-of-living crisis in Europe, reports consumer analyst Circana.
12 Notice Board
- Obituary: David Scott – A man who will be remembered for as well as by the people he left behind.
14 Trade Statistics
- Largest clothing companies globally by market capitalisation.
- Largest footwear companies globally by market capitalisation.
- South Africa: March imports and exports of footwear and accessories, provided by SARS.
Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety (OFC), Berzacks (04), Evolution Engineering (01), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Royal Adhesive Industries (07), Saddler Belts (10), SAFLEC (11), S&V Directory (13), S&V Trade Fair Calendar (16).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 9 June.
- Arsutoria trend workshops: 'You have the most multi-ethnic society in Africa - use the inspirations'
Durban, KZN, SA - The annual Arsutoria footwear and handbag international trends workshops in South Africa - which have run since 2017 - have, over the years, opened a window onto the fashion world for around 200 mainly design staff, most of whom would have had little opportunity to travel to fairs.The courses continued right through Covi ...moreNorth Star, Bubblegummers on the way back
Bata SA expansion programme: Retail partnerships, global brands ...moreIMBOX Protection: The closed-box, plug-and-play solution for footwear protection
IMBOX Protection is a footwear protection service that offers a closed-box, plug-and-play solution, which can protect all types of shoes within less than a minute. Since its launch in 2011, the company has expanded to 25 countries in Europe and Japan, and it's now making strides to expand in North America. The device used in the treatment ...moreHow Skechers is using celebrity collaborations to reach the African American market
Skechers has been striving to obtain a significant market share among the African American minority community in the United States. To appeal to this demographic, the brand, it would appear, has adopted a savvy strategy of collaborating with black celebrities. Seemingly by teaming up with popular figures, Skechers aims to attract new cons ...moreWEEFING their brand of gentleman’s magic around the world
WEEF is one of SAFLEC’s more unusual members, and they are full of mutual admiration.Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – In less than 7 years, leather tie manufacturer WEEF has gone from concept to fledgling global brand. And like a couple of other SA leather industry success stories, its founders are first and foremost marketing people, ...moreObituary: David Sean Scott - A man who will be remembered for the people he left behind
Obituary: David Sean Scott – Scotts, Brazilia Footwear (04/09/1955-26/02/2023)David Scott’s true legacy is summed up by the warmth of the memories of two women – his older daughter, Kate, and a former hawker he mentored to become an international businesswoman in her own right, Fortunate Msa Tserane of Msa Shoes.Kate Sco ...morePrivate labels capitalise on the cost-of-living crisis to make up 38% of total FMCG value sales in EuropeShoppers looking for smart deals on everyday groceries, to moderate the impact of price increases, are turning to private labels for better prices and excellent quality and value. ...moreSA footwear & accessories trade statistics for March 2023Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (28 April 2023) – Source: SARS.Including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)Cumulative tradeTrade balance R'm (3 457 587 492)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.21Monthly tradeTrade balance R'm (717 858 830)Ratio (exports/imports) 0.35 ExportsMonth % of total 0.20Cumulative 2022 (R'm) 758& ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Some ideas to stimulate a recovery in local footwear and leather goods manufacturing
There are many factors other than reluctant chain buyers that contribute to the SA leather value chain’s problems ...moreThe striking difference between the top brands here and in the USThe Comrades shoe count held no surprises as it is almost identical to the Two Oceans count earlier this year.However, the major point of interest is comparing the market shares of the running shoes brands in South Africa and the USA.Recently released figures from a leading franchise group of 300 specialist running shops in the USA indica ...moreGrowing trend in the East towards factories staffed entirely by robots – rest of the world ‘being left behind’'While Europe is still focused on Industry 4.0, Asia is already gearing up for Industry 5.0, which emphasizes autonomy over mere connectivity.' ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- COMESA launches leather value chain strategy to boost regional industrialisation
Nairobi, Kenya (02 April 2025) – In a landmark move to accelerate Africa’s industrialization, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has unveiled its Leather Value Chain Strategy 2025–2029.The high-profile launch, held in Nairobi, brought together government officials, development partners, private se ...moreBack to off? - Sam Setter's 'Pills': For readers who need some wry medicinal humourOur industry has been submitted for years to the unrealistic and ideological EU sustainability directives, mainly pushed by Dutch ex-EU commissioner Frans Timmermans, who, not happy with the damage he has done in the EU, now tries to ruin the political atmosphere in his own country. These directives have more to do with ideology than with ...moreGet the message across on World Leather Day, urges Leather Working Group
On Saturday 26th April 2025, the global leather industry will come together in recognition of the fourth edition of World Leather Day—a global movement dedicated to celebrating leather as a material and promoting a deeper understanding of the leather industry. This social media kit can be used by Leather Naturally members and i ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Consumer Protection Act marking – ‘beware faulty inspections’ warns importer who is R250 000 poorerPinetown, KZN, SA – Wholesaler and retailer Treadsafe cc, which had a container of 120 000 pairs of plain white cotton gloves held up last July by the National Consumer Commission for suspected contravention of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), managed to get the container released – almost 3 months and around R250 ...moreSwitch to updated standard: Footwear suppliers given time limit to run out old stockPretoria, Gauteng, SA – Safety footwear suppliers have until April 2026 to sell stock made to the 2014 edition of SA National Standard (SANS) 20345.The National Regulator for Compulsory Standards (NRCS) confirmed this at a stakeholder meeting on 11 March.The SA National Standard (SANS) for safety footwear in South Africa was upgrade ...moreNew standard for PFAS assessment for consumer products ‘is useful for manufacturers, consumers, laboratories, and regulators’W. Conshohocken, Pa., U.S. (07 January 2025) – A new ASTM International standard will provide users with a road map for planning and executing assessments of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products and articles. The new standard, which will be published as F3700, was developed by ASTM&rsqu ...more
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