Both the Republican-controlled legislature and the president-elect have put forth sweeping changes to the way goods flow in and out of the U.S., with a focus on making it much more expensive to import foreign-made items (and, the theory goes, to incentivize American-made goods). And this is, to put it mildly, an issue of importance for footwear. ... The AAFA's estimates suggest that the rise could be 10 percent on the low end, or as high as 25 percent, depending on the individual company, the individual shoe, and a number of other factors. (Source: Sole Collector) 

1.9 Proposed merger between National Retail Holdings (Pty) Ltd v Decofurn (Pty) Ltd, CB Stores (Pty) Ltd, The Hub (Pty) Ltd and HTC Stores (Pty) Ltd and the Truzen Trust
          The Commission has approved, without conditions, the intermediate merger whereby National Retail intends to acquire Decofurn, CB Stores, the Hub, HTC Stores as well as shares in the Truzen Trust.
        National Retail is a newly incorporated firm that does not have any operations. The Laaks Trust is an investment holding entity that holds interests in National Retail and in listed companies.
        The target firms, with the exception of the Truzen Trust, are involved in the textile industry specifically in the procurement (mostly from imports) and sale of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing (including school uniforms) and footwear as well as household apparel. The Truzen Trust owns the property used as a distribution center and head office by the other Target Firms.
        The proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in any market and does not raise any public interest concerns.

Durban, SA – SA Footwear & Leather Export Council executive director Nerisha Jairaj and finance & admin manager Louise Pelser fly out tomorrow to host SAFLEC’s first stand at the Exporivaschuh fair in Riva de Garda, Italy.

It will differ from other recent SAFLEC missions in a number of ways:

3 firms will take part – Saddler Belt, Chic Shoes and Rarity Handbags.

Saddler will send a member of staff, sales manager Mylene Fisher. The others will be represented by SAFLEC.

The stands are being entirely funded by SAFLEC, without input from the DTI.

“There’s a 3-year waiting list for a stand at Exporivaschuh,” Nerisha said. “In December, after a year of negotiation and with the help of the SA consulate in Milan, we secured a small stand. The idea is to introduce South African products, and for visitors to be able to view them. Price lists and brochures have been provided by the companies and sales will be motivated.  The goal is to secure more space for June 2017 and give a larger spread of manufacturers an opportunity to exhibit.”

She said SAFLEC’s entire membership – mostly made up of footwear manufacturers (95% footwear and 5% general goods) – had been invited to take part, but only the 3 companies had responded in the restricted time available.

SAFLEC’s second exhibition this year will be the security, safety & health fair, Intersec, in Dubai, from January 22-24. She said the BBF Group was the only South African exhibitor, exhibiting several different brands. “They’re ticking all the right boxes from an international marketing perspective, with excellent strategies,” she said. “Some of the previous exhibitors have agents exhibiting for them.”

BBF will pay for the trip and can claim a portion back from the DTI via EMIA. – [+27 (0)31 266 1472, nerisha@saflec.co.za]