S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol91 No2 February 2025
Click the advert links for more info. • Download PDF
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- R-CTFL Masterplan at a halt – for now, anyway, as government funding isn’t renewed.
- EU targets Shein as number of low value parcels more than doubles.
05 Export & Trade
- From crisis to catwalk: Can South Africa follow Portugal’s footsteps to save its footwear industry?
07 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- ‘De Minimis’ exemption removal – what it means for Shein, Temu & Amazon Haul.
- Top footwear resale trends 2024 – StockX report.
- Law firm files class action lawsuit against Crocs.
14 Noticeboard
- Obituary: Zelton Wiskin, an agent who loved to please, regardless of the consequences.
- Nostalgia: Hub Bijsterveld, cheese & wine after a career solving consumer complaints.
- History: British United Shoe Machinery – Harking back to the days of the great BUSM, by Barry Turner.
Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (06), Berzack Brothers (04), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Haesloop Agencies (08), Kaytex (10), Leather Finishing Products (13), Saddler Belts (OFC), SAFLEC (11), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (12), Shotland Packaging (15).
The Next Issue:
- Out on 19 March 2025. Deadline for submissions 12 March.
- From crisis to catwalk: Can South Africa follow Portugal’s footsteps to save its footwear industry?
Not long ago, Portugal’s footwear industry was on the brink of collapse, drowning under a wave of cheap Chinese imports. Factories shut down, jobs disappeared, and the sector seemed doomed. But instead of fading away, Portugal fought back reinventing itself into one of the world’s most sought-after footwear producers.South Afr ...more“De Minimis” exemption removal — what it means for Shein, Temu & Amazon haul
Recent changes to the “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed packages under $800 to enter the U.S. tax-free, have raised concerns about the future of fast fashion giants Shein and Temu, as well as Amazon’s newest entrant into the market, Amazon Haul. But what’s really at play ...moreTop footwear resale trends 2024 - StockX report
The 2024 StockX Current Culture Index reveals some interesting trends in the resale market. Here are some of the key takeaways:SneakersAnta is the fastest-growing sneaker brand on StockX, with a whopping 1,901% trade growth year-over-year. This is largely thanks to Kyrie Irving’s signature shoe, the Kai ...moreLaw firm files class action lawsuit against Crocs
Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights firm, has initiated a class action lawsuit against Crocs, Inc., representing all purchasers of Crocs common stock between November 3, 2022, and October 28, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Crocs misled investors regarding its acquisition of HEYDUDE, a casual footwear brand.Key allegations include:1. ...moreObituary: Zelton Wiskin – footwear agent (24/03/1958-24/01/2025) :‘He loved to please people - regardless of the consequences’
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Retired former footwear agent Zelton Wiskin died in January, after a long illness, aged 66.Born in Johannesburg, he left school early to work for his stepfather, Aubrey Fuchs, who was also an agent.He represented 2 footwear companies for most of his working career – women’s footwear manufactur ...moreNostalgia: Hub Bijsterveld : Cheese & wine after a career solving consumer complaints
Harare, Zimbabwe – I note Hub Bijsterveld's memorial (09 February) in the Newsletter. Just a snippet about him. He was one of the best, if not the best chemist in the whole of the worldwide Bata Shoe Organisation. We used to have regular annual "Chemeets" in various parts of the world for our Chemists and Hub stood ou ...moreHistory: British United Shoe Machinery : Harking back to the days of the great BUSM
Barry Turner joined British United Shoe Machinery (BUSM) in Port Elizabeth in the 1970s, when PE was still a major footwear manufacturing centre and BUSM was the preeminent machinery and component supplier to the footwear industry. He got in touch with S&V last year looking for fellow BUSM old boy Johannes (Hannes) Harding, who, with ...moreMasterplan at a halt – for now, anywayCape Town, W. Cape, SA – The R-CTFL Masterplan – at its most visible level – has come to a halt.The government-funded contract for the project co-ordinators, B&M Analysts (BMA), ended at the end of last year, and has thus far not been renewed.That has meant that the weekly and monthly PMO meetings, the interface betw ...moreEU targets Shein as number of low value parcels more than doublesBrussels, Belgium (06 February 2025) – The European Commission has asked online fast-fashion retailer Shein to provide internal documents and more detailed information on risks linked to the presence of illegal goods and content on its marketplace, the EU executive said on Thursday.Shein said it welcomes "efforts that enhance t ...moreObituary: 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 ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Traditional Guinea Leppi fabric now officially recognised as a PGI
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (15/04/2025) – Leppi fabric dyed using local plants is the traditional fabric of the Foutah Djallon region in Guinea. Its Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) designation, recently granted by the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), safeguards the fabric from misuse inc ...moreSwedish retailer wanted to ensure its European suppliers were a better fit than Far East – SGS assessment programme raised standards of Macedonian supplier
Geneva, Switzerland (16 May 2025) – A partnership between testing, inspection and certification company SGS and luxury goods retailer, Shepherd of Sweden, has led to a transformation in footwear quality, reduced waste and increased production from one of the Swedish company’s principal European suppliers.Known for its hig ...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 ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- The effect of fatliquor sulphitation on leather quality
IntroductionDuring the fatliquoring process, the fatliquors are deposited or chemically bind to the leather fibres. This allows the fibres to move over each other and prevents them from sticking to each other when the leather is dried. It is therefore a well-known fact that fatliquoring impacts the tensile strength, tear resistance, imper ...moreESG PORTFOLIOS
Over the past decade, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has experienced significant growth, driven by increasing awareness of sustainability issues and a desire for ethical investment options. However, recent years have seen a notable decline in ESG investments, raising questions about their future viability. ...moreEthiopia’s Modjo Leather Manufacturing Hub aims to boost exports
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (12 April 2025) – The Modjo state-of-the art leather manufacturing facility and a renovated satellite laboratory are intended to spearhead Ethiopia's leather industry and foster sustainable employment opportunities.The project is a collaborative initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by t ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Mine deaths in SA ‘lowest ever’ in 2024Extract from the release of 2024 mine health and safety statistics by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, on 23 January 2025. ...moreA partnership for inclusion: Circular Energy and Bradshaw LeRoux join forces for disability inclusionCircular Energy is partnering with Bradshaw LeRoux, a disability inclusion specialists organisation, to forge a disability-positive workplace. ...moreSouth Africa’s first safety escape room for hands-on health and safety training
South Africa's first safety escape room was set up at Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC) in November last year by health and safety solutions provider KBC.“We required a fresh approach to training,” said Mabore Macheru, Manager in Training Development and Contractor Management at PMC. “This offers an interactive and practic ...more
© S&V Publications
