S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol90 No10 October 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Interview
- Bata SA is making a renewed effort to grow more brands with chains, says new country manager Lorraine Dyer.
11 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- Younger generation decides Puma’s strategic direction on leather.
- Can Uber Eats help Allbirds turn a profit?
- Timberland returns to India after exiting in 2015.
12 The R-CTFL Masterplan
- Clusters were ‘very successful’ says IDC. New clusters ‘likely’, but no details yet.
14 Sustainability
- Archroma ‘breakthrough’ in bio-based textile printing for ‘brilliant black’.
16 Out of the mainstream
- Pretoria small business Oh Sole plans own hands-on manufacturing to supply retailers.
20 Export & Trade
- Global footwear trends and the impact of evolving consumer behaviour on exports, by Nerisha Jairaj of SAFLEC.
Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (13), BBF Safety Group (04, 09), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), FrontierCo/Busby (08), Fusion Leather World (03), Haesloop Agencies (17), Kaliber Safety Footwear/For the Motor Industry/Safety Boots (06, 11), Kaytex Belts (19), Leather Finishing Products (15), Palm Footwear (OFC), Saddler Belts (05), SAFLEC (20), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (21), Shotland Packaging (22).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 20 November 2024.
- Bata SA: Renewed effort to grow brands with chains
Bubblegummers to be ‘a priority product’Durban, KZN, SA – Broadening Bata South Africa’s brand base is a priority – perhaps the priority – for country manager Lorraine Dyer, who joined in August with a background managing apparel brands including Converse and Calvin Klein.That has been the goal under su ...moreYounger generation decides Puma’s strategic direction on leather
Puma’s recent decision to significantly reduce leather usage in its footwear is a clear reflection of the evolving landscape of the fashion industry, driven primarily by the preferences of the younger generation. Gen Y, Z, and Alpha, who collectively make up around 65% of the U.S. population, are increasingly pri ...moreCan Uber Eats help Allbirds turn a profit?
Allbirds, the sustainable footwear brand, has made a strategic move by partnering with Uber Eats, despite facing significant financial struggles. The company continues to prioritize sustainability in every aspect, from its products to logistics, and this collaboration further highlights that commitment. Throu ...moreTimberland returns to India after exiting in 2015
Initial Exit and Market StrugglesAccording to Livemint, Timberland, famous for its hiking boots and outdoor gear, withdrew from the Indian market in 2015 after struggling to establish a foothold. The primary reason for its exit was fierce competition from Woodland, a Canadian-founded footwear brand that entered India in 1992 and domi ...moreClusters ‘very successful’, IDC says
As part of the R-CTFL Masterplan, the Industrial Development Corporation funded 2 ‘subnational clusters’ to enhance local manufacturing capabilities. In Durban, the Mr Price Cluster involved Labora Shoes and Smiley’s Footwear, and in Pietermaritzburg, Eddels was the manufacturing partner in the Foschini Cluster. Both are being wound up. Tshepo Ramodibe, IDC Head of Corporate Affairs, replies to S&V’s questions. ...moreArchroma ‘breakthrough’ in bio-based textile printing for ‘brilliant black’
Pratteln, Switzerland (14 October 2024) – Archroma has introduced the NTR Printing System to make bio-based pigment printing commercially possible for the first time. Based on renewable raw materials* and designed for safer chemistry, it helps apparel and textile brands reduce their environmental footprint while producing brilliant ...moreOh Sole: Handmade with a machine finish – and no stinting on components
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – Yes, they’re both arty, but there’s almost no connection between cutting hair and cutting patterns. So for Conrad Kalp, who started his working life as a hair stylist, fashion, specifically fashion footwear, was a strong enough calling to start studying all over again to enter an entirely new care ...moreGlobal footwear trends and the impact of evolving consumer behaviour on exportsSponsored by the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC).The worldwide footwear sector is experiencing notable changes driven by technology advancements, evolving fashion trends, and shifting consumer preferences. Below are the significant trends and shifts in consumer purchasing habits.Current Trends in Footwear1. Emphasis on s ...more
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Footwear Industry Articles
- Manufacturer-buyer event: Among the retailer commentsKim Cunniffe, Kingsmead ShoesOur buyers found some suppliers they were unaware of, and a few possibilities in terms of product. We haven’t yet taken this forward, but we will do so.Hassen Ismail, Fashion WorldIt was more-or-less what you expect of local manufacturing in terms of styling, quality, and price.We have asked for samples. ...moreSAFLEC AGM 2026: Strengthening of relationships between industry organisations and government a key development
This has been a defining year for the South African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC). It has been a year of innovation, collaboration and meaningful progress, where together with our members and strategic partners, we have continued to strengthen the competitiveness of South Africa's footwear and leather industry while creat ...moreHistorical highlights: How Rockshoes became Trailmix Trading
Rockshoes was one of the many successful footwear factories in Pinetown in the 1960s through to the early 2000s. Its successor, Trailmix Trading, has repeated that success, as an importer and wholesaler. Here’s how it unfolded. ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Sam Setter's 'Pills': You have to be very clever to understand this document, but hopefully it will do some goodIn June, UNIDO launched an impressive document called “Guideline”. It is a very detailed, environment oriented, technical and scientific document where the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCP) play a prominent role. The document, peer reviewed, has been developed for UNIDO with the main contributor ...moreBeyond the data trap: Why better decisions matter more than just more data
On 1st July 2026 I presented at the FILK Leather Days conference and asked the delegates to consider “Sustainability through a new lens: resetting how we view impacts in the leather value chain”. This month’s article therefore explores this idea a little more with a focus on how we view data and whether it can blind us t ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Further controls over the import of safety footwear are on the wayOn 03 August 2026, the Safety Footwear Working Group, led by SAFLIA, submitted a request to Minister Tau (dtic) for interim import control measures in respect of specified safety footwear. The request was strongly supported by organised labour and other industry stakeholders.The application was further strengthened by contributions f ...morePerformance testing: Building credibility in the modern apparel and footwear market
The lines between protective wear, sportswear, outdoor apparel, wellness clothing and everyday fashion continue to blur. Consumers increasingly expect garments and footwear to deliver more than style alone. Whether purchasing workwear, running apparel, outdoor footwear, school shoes or everyday casual products, buyers now look for comfort ...moreMore precise fire extinguishing from the air using simulation and sensor data
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more intense worldwide. Fires often become infernos due to heat, drought and wind, especially in the summer. The problem is compounded by the climate crisis. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM and the startup CAURUS Technologies GmbH are responding to this growi ...more
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