Industry News
South African & East African Footwear and Leather Goods, Leather and PPE industry news.
Retail: Hoping to cash in on upswing in athletics – and that weather-delayed stocks arrive
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – “I wasn’t instore today, but back-to-school has apparently started in earnest,” The Sweat Shop member Jax Snyman said on Friday.
School sport accounts for the bulk of athletic shoe sales, and he said athletics “have had a bit of a boom”.
“Schools sport shoe sales, especially boots, are price sensitive, but netball, and lately carbon-plated track spikes, are bucking the trend. Prices for the latter are in the R3k plus range only.”
His main concern is the late arrival of stocks because of offloading delays in Cape Town harbour caused by adverse weather.
Retail: Good start to January follows busier than usual December sales
Benoni, Gauteng, SA – Many customers “woke up earlier” and bought school shoes in December, Graham Butler, manager of Ekspa’s Benoni store, said on Saturday. “We had a much busier than usual December, and January has started the same,” he said. “I have positive vibes going forward.”
He said stock would always be an issue “because the algorithm of which sizes to buy isn’t an exact science – but if you don’t sell out, you don’t make money”.
He said he had doubled his Hush Puppies order to 600 pairs and still sold out. The brand is a relatively small part of Ekspa’s footwear range.
Sports shoes – hockey, rugby and soccer boots, and running shoes, normally only start selling when schools reopen, he said.
Retail: Consumers buying school shoes earlier
Port Shepstone, KZN, SA – “We had an unusually good December because people started buying school wear early,” said Raj Sukai, director of Fair Price Store/Workwell Tailors. “So far, the season is better than last year.
“Stock hasn’t been an issue, and I hope it stays that way, because by next week we’ll be out of certain sizes.”
Retail: Waiting for pickup after slow December
Newcastle, KZN, SA – Luggage Centre proprietor Yunus Hansa said he expected business to pick up from this week. “People haven’t got over Christmas and New Year yet,” he said.
He said December trade had been 5%-10% down on the previous year.
Retail Trading: Expecting good back-to-school period
Lenasia, Gauteng, SA – December started a bit slow, but “picked up nicely”, Manesh Naran, a member of City Fashions Schoolwear, said on Saturday. “Today hasn’t been bad either – better than expected.”
He said the year overall had been tough, and that “next year we’ll be taking it a season at a time”. He is anticipating a good back-to-school period.
City Fashions Schoolwear manufactures school uniforms, track suits, sports shorts and jerseys, and corporate wear. It also retails school shoes.
