S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.3 No.13, April 3, 2017

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website

The Rand: Not too bad – yet

Morné Howell, Afro-Thai Imports
Port Edward (SA) – On Tuesday last week I put out my price list for the year – now we might have to revisit some of them. We were very upbeat – we still are – about our range, but the economy will contract if the Rand keeps falling. We’re more concerned about the end consumer – right now people won’t go out and shop as freely as they would have done a week ago.
        Last year it was most volatile over December and January. This year the currency was stable over the critical period, which makes you look at your margins, costings and forward cover to cut where you can because retail is so tough. This next week will be as exciting as last week.

Roger Zeino, Branded Footwear & Clothing Co
Cape Town (SA) – As things stand at around the R13.50 to USD, it’s an acceptable rate. During various stages of 2016 the currency was at far worse levels. Everyone is currently in the same boat, and I think as long as we don’t see the value depreciate to beyond 15 to USD we should be able to manage. Once we start breaking that threshold, we need to raise prices aggressively, which will having damaging consequences  as there is a limit to what the consumer can afford to, or is willing to pay for technical gear.

Clive Wood, Crown Footwear Group
Pinetown (SA) – We costed at R13.50, so we should be alright. But of course we don’t know where it will go. It was over R14 not so long ago.

Ridwaan Moola, Dolce Vita division of Foot Focus
Durban (SA) – "The volatility does affect all importers and creates a negative mindset. However, at the Foot Focus group, we strive to add value to the retailer in terms of product and pricing which in turn benefits the consumer and we will continue to connect retail and trends and give guidance to our retailers in these tough trading times.”

Sports footwear training offer: DTI seeks to broaden net

Pretoria (SA) – Following response to its earlier announcements about sports footwear design and manufacturing technology in China, the Department of Trade & Industry is keen to attract applications from a wider group of footwear factories. The offer is also open to major retailers.
        The criteria would be just as strict – young people with several years’ experience who show outstanding promise in design or manufacturing – but the DTI would like more factories to benefit from this offer by the Chinese Government, which will sponsor 30 South African students for a 28-day course.
        Successful applicants need only pay for their own visa cost. For further information, contact Simon Sello Mello at the DTI. – [+27 (0)12 394 1175, (0)72 338 1639, smello@thedti.gov.za]

Source Africa 2017 promotes the Africa Advantage

From Deidre Harte, LTE
Cape Town (SA) – ‘Africa is on the Move’. A report from McKinsey & Co. saw African countries being mentioned for the first time in the list of top sourcing destinations for apparel, textiles and footwear. When survey respondents were asked if they plan to increase sourcing from African countries between now and 2020, the list of countries that were mentioned included South Africa, Mauritius, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Egypt and Swaziland. There is also an increasing demand from African sourcing agents and retailers to source within the region as the benefits of intra-regional trade have become increasingly attractive. So, the timing is perfect to exhibit at Source Africa this year which will take place on 24 & 25 May 2017, CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa.
        Source Africa will be in its 5th year and has become an important trade event in Africa for the footwear, apparel and textile industries. It is rapidly becoming the ‘go-to’ event for international and regional buyers and industry professionals. Says William Scalco, Organiser of Source Africa, ‘We are marketing the event extensively to international and regional buyers from chain stores, independent retailers, mini-chains, sourcing agents, importers, distributors, production and factory managers and other important industry decision makers. Exhibitors already include country Pavilions from Mauritius (Enterprise Mauritius), Lesotho (Lesotho National Development Corporation), South Africa (TIKZN), Kenya (International Trade Centre and Trade Mark East Africa), Botswana (BITC) and individual participating from South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Turkey, India, Lithuania, Poland to mention a few.

Source Africa Programme as @ 30 March 2017
Tuesday, 23 May 17:30pm – 20:00pm: Cocktail Reception
The who’s who in the industry will be attending including exhibitors, media, buyers, Trade Organisations and Industry Associations.

 Wednesday, 24 May 08:30am - 10:30am: Technology Sessions Presented by –
Jürgen Brockmann, Director, Thies GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Bruno Caffieri, Sales Manager, Picanol, Belgium
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Germany
10:00am - 17:00pm: Source Africa Trade Show
11:00am - 17:00pm: Fashion Walks, Industry Presentations, Exhibitor Promotions

Thursday, 25 May 08:30am - 10:30am: WGSN Trendtalk Seminar: Menswear/Women’s Wear Spring/Summer 2018 Buyers’ Briefing
Presented by Sara Maggioni, Director of Retail, WGSN, United Kingdom
10:00am - 17:00: Source Africa Trade Show
11:00am - 17:00pm: Fashion Walks, Industry Presentations, Exhibitor Promotions

For more information, contact the Organisers, Lte – leaders in trade exhibitions, Tel: +27 21 790 5849, Email: william@sourceafrica.co.za. To EXHIBIT or VISIT, register online at www.sourceafrica.co.za.

Triple M Group sold

Cape Town (SA) – Triple M Group founders Marius and Sue Mostert sold the business to undisclosed buyers as of March 1, and have retired.
        The wholesale division and retail brands Shoerama, Next Step and Shoeline fall under the umbrella of newly formed parent, Triple M Footwear Company.
        Jarene Boshoff, who spent 16 years with Ackermans in various merchandise portfolios, is CEO. She said all staff had remained.
        The group has 21 stores, with Shoerama the biggest footprint, “and we have plans to grow and expand our footprint and offer of ladies’ branded and unbranded footwear”. – [+27 (0)21 981 6030, Jboshoff1@tripm.co.za]

Opening

Cape Town (SA) – Louis Shoes is re-opening its store in Main Road, Wynberg, after 3 years, member Steven Neimann says.

Appointment

Cape Town (SA) – Ivor Saks has been appointed the agent for Cosmo Footwear handling their Gino Paoli men’s and ladies’ ranges in the Cape Country areas, Garden Route and Northern Cape.

Reader Request

If you may assist, we are looking for lasts, stuck-on soles, insoles and used leather sewing machinery and sole presses. – Farai Musungwa, Safety-Quip, Botswana – [+267-244 1842, +267-71767816, safetyquip@bbi.co.bw]

Directory Update

Greytown (SA) – Amshu Distributors / Stock Lot Importers closed last year, former managing member Ahmed Shaikh said.

They Said It

"LOL – When I retire the lean years will come to an end and the years of plenty are about to begin – watch this space !!" - Maria A Henry, PA to Noel Whitehead, CEO of what Bolton Footwear now refers to as its ‘Elsies River facility’, but which will be Jordan Shoes to the rest of us forever more.

"Bought forward cover yesterday only to see the Rand 40c stronger today (don’t tell!). You just can’t win…" - Afro Thai Imports’ Morné Howell, expanding on his comment above.

Birthdays this week

02/04/1969: Chris Govender, formerly Bugatti [closed], now Evoné, Pietermaritzburg.
02/04/1970: Gerhard Rossouw, CG Distributors, Paarl.
02/04/1974: Shaheen Hoosen, Kana’s Wholesalers, Pretoria.
03/04/1959: Grant Harris, emigrated, formerly Shoe Strip Services [closed], Pinetown.
03/04/1963: Bruce Wilson, Hotter SA, Cape Town.
03/04/1973: Brent Maron, Bolton Footwear, Cape Town.
03/04/1974: Kate Horne, Little Slipper Co., Port Elizabeth.
04/04/1938: Colin Kemp, Chamberlain Phipps, Pinetown.
04/04/1956: Paul Moodley, Reach Footwear, Durban.
04/04/1962: Tammy Pillay, Edcon, Durban.
05/04/1964: Alastair Dean, emigrated, formerly Amber Footwear [closed], Pietermaritzburg.
05/04/1963: Lourenco Mendes, Shuler Enterprises, Harare.
08/04/1946: Colin Pedlar, retired, formerly Reflex Footwear, Lesotho.
08/04/1965: Gregg Ripley-Evans, John Whittle Components, Pinetown.
09/04/1976: Carlo Grillenzoni, agent, Cape Town.
09/04/1970: Rob McCann, Treadsafe, Pinetown.

In Memoriam this week

04/04/2005: Graham Michel (b. 09/02/1958), agent, Cape Town.
06/04/1979: George Cowie, GW Cowie & Co, Durban.
08/04/2011: Jack Katz, Treets Footwear, Johannesburg.

Do you have any names you’d like to add to our list of birthdays and In Memoriam? Please send the details.

ABSA Agri Trends 04/04: Hides & skins prices

The average bovine hide price over the past week was R14.83/kg green. Hide prices are determined by the average of RMAA and independent companies. “The recent strength of the currency and pressure from the demand side has been adding pressure on prices. There may also be stocks still sitting from December, which further add pressure on prices.”
        The average price for Dorper skins was R41.92/skin and Merino was R87.58/skin.

Trade Fair dates

For a list of local and international trade fairs covering footwear, leather goods, leather and PPE, visit our website: http://www.svmag.co.za/events.php

Classified Adverts

Contact us

News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za

Next newsletter: April 10, 2017.

Should you wish to subscribe email tony@svmag.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za