S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.3 No.50, December 15, 2017

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Best wishes to all our readers for a safe and relaxing Christmas, New Year and Festive Season

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

Black Friday and December trading: Retail comments

Brands Megastore, Boksburg: So far it's looking fair. Black Friday was also better than in previous years. - Ridwaan Teladia, member.

Comfort Shoe Store, Nigel: The last few days have been improving, but up to then, it was quiet. Children's footwear has been disappointing, although it used to be good for us back in the days of Jack & Jill and Elefante. We didn't take part in Black Friday, but when we mark down end-of-line stock, we keep it marked down until it sells. - Hilton Loewenstein, member.

Dodo's Exclusive Shoes, Johannesburg: December for us is starting today. Up to now it hasn't been good. This is more-or-less what happened last year.
       Black Friday was unbelievable. I didn't think we would ever do that sort of turnover on one day.
       However, the next week was horrible. Personally, I don't think it has a place in South Africa, because it sucks too much out of the consumer. - Ralph Dodo, MD.

Fashion World, Midrand: December so far has been up and down. Black Friday - this was the first time we made a big thing of it, and we ran it for a week, from Monday to Sunday, with Friday being the busiest day. It was mostly about selling off slow-moving stock and oddments, and it was good for us countrywide. The next week was slow, however. - Hassen Ismail, footwear buyer.

Studio 88 Group, Roodepoort: Our Group of Companies entertained phenomenal Black Friday trade. It far exceeded our expectations with the two potentially negative impediments on December trade:
1)   Stocks were depleted despite the 100% year on year increase we geared up for in preparation for this sales event.
2)  New trend trade events like Black Friday have created unpredictability in regards traditionally good trade days. In past years, the 15th and 16th of December trade in and around Gauteng and 22nd and 23rd December for country and mining towns have always been the years swan song in terms of trade, we eagerly await to see what unfolds this year.
       Thankfully, our turnover has increased, despite difficult trading times where margins are tight and the economy is slowing due to high unemployment and reduced disposable income for our customers; however we still remain optimistic in regards 2018. - Laurence Wernars, chairman.

India Footwear & Leather Expo

Cape Town (SA) – SAVE THE DATE! The annual India Footwear & Leather Trade Expo in South Africa will take place on 21 & 22 February 2018 at the CTICC, Cape Town.
       40 reputable manufacturers (under the auspices of The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) India), will be showcasing an extensive range of their latest products including ladies, men’s and children’s leather and non-leather footwear (shoes, sandals, chappals); leather garments (jackets, pants, motorbike jackets); leather goods & accessories (handbags, purses, belts, pouches, small leather goods); leather gloves (fashion, fancy, industrial) and finished leather.
       To VISIT, email deidreh@worldonline.co.za. No entry fee but the event is open to businesses only.

BBF/Quality Safety: Competition Commission gives go-ahead

Pretoria (SA) – On Wednesday, Competition Commission announced its decision to approve the takeover by Quality Safety by BBF Safety Group. The statement read:
BBF Safety Group (Pty) Ltd v Quality Safety (Pty) Ltd
The Commission has approved the proposed transaction, without conditions, whereby BBF Safety Group (Pty) Ltd (BBF) intends to acquire Quality Safety (Pty) Ltd (Quality Safety).
       BBF is jointly controlled by Bolton Footwear (Pty) Ltd and Beier Safety Footwear (Pty) Ltd. BBF controls Pinnacle Osh Holdings (Pty) Ltd and BBF Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd. BBF manufactures and supplies safety footwear in South Africa. Safety footwear generally includes all footwear which is used for the purposes of foot protection. BBF manufactures the following brands: Bova, Bronx, Frams. Fuel, Inyati, Lemaitre, Sisi and Wayne footwear.
       Quality Safety manufactures and supplies protective gear and accessories such as gloves, overalls, hoods, boots, head protection hats and welding helmets, amongst others.
       The Commission is of the view that the proposed merger is unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in the market. In addition, there are no public interest concerns.

Zimbabwe: 'Shot in the arm for leather industry'

Posted on December 14, 2017 in Zimbabwe
Harare (Zimbabwe) – Zimbabwe's leather industry is set to receive a US$1.6 million grant from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) to capacitate leather companies, an official has said.
       The leather industry, which is currently operating at 25% of capacity, requires around $50 million to be fully capitalised.
       Deputy minister of finance Terence Mukupe told The Source on Thursday that the money will be used to revive tannery and other clothing value chains.
       "We are getting a grant of close to €1.4 million to resuscitate our leather industry. We have huge stock holdings of hides which are not being processed," Mukupe said.
       "Almost every tannery in Zimbabwe is closed. Probably the only tannery that is doing anything is the one linked to Bata, because Bata has a market for its shoes. They are the ones who buy hides."
       He added that around 40% of the cattle hides were being thrown away due to a lack of processing equipment. - http://source.co.zw/2017/12/shot-in-the-arm-for-leather-industry/

Exchange rates

December 15. Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/

Birthdays over the Festive Season

15/12/1973: Charl Lucas, Springbok Skoeisel, Springbok.
15/12/1975: Sabrina van Rooyen, Van Hobs Dry Cleaners, Pretoria.
15/12/1983: David Fox, Good Hope Sales, Cape Town.
16/12/1939: Danny Pincus, agent, Johannesburg.
17/12/1972: Iqbal Abdulla, Studio 88, Johannesburg.
18/12/1952: Piet Neethling, Camdeboo Meat Processors, Graaff-Reinet.
19/12/1959: Jagen Pillai, Michelle Footwear, Durban.
19/12/1944: Hoosen Patel, Spectrum group, Durban.
20/12/1957: Michael Ngwenya, Nulaw, Pietermaritzburg.
21/12/1942: Allan Kushner, retired, formerly Shoe Fayre, Pretoria.
21/12/1963: Trevor Capell, ? Hilton.
22/12/1949: Maryna Bender, ?
22/12/1966: Craig Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban.
22/12/1973: Hassan Adam, Seadoone Shoes, Amanzimtoti.
23/12/1947: Chris Dorasamy, Robach Components, Pinetown.
23/12/1949: Alex Gordon, Futura, Pinetown.
24/12/1947: Gerald Borg, emigrated to Cyprus.
25/12/19??: Malcolm Walton, retired, formerly Corrida Shoes, Pietermaritzburg.
24/12/1953: Morgan Naidoo, Alan D Jackson, Pinetown.
25/12/1934: Ivan Harris, retired, formerly Woodheads, Cape Town.
25/12/1960: Yusuf Moosajee, Seltex, Johannesburg.
25/12/1975: Mohamed Ameen Ravat, Ravat & Sons International, Pietersburg/Polokwane.
25/12/1948: Morris Smith, agent, Durban.
26/12/1937: Andre le Roux, retired, formerly Watson Shoes Ladies’ Division, Oudtshoorn.
26/12/19??: Peter Waddleton, Finlam Textiles, Pinetown.
26/12/1956: Omar Faruk Doola, Shoe World, Springs.
27/12/1962: Kareem Kader, Options, Gaborone, Botswana.
28/12/1944: Ken Moakes, retired, formerly Buckman, Northampton.
28/12/1970: Tony Vaubell, Mr Price Group, Durban.
28/12/1979: Peter Bassingthwaighte, Bass Marketing, Cape Town.
28/12/1988: Ismail Moosa, Jumbo Footwear, Pietermaritzburg.
29/12/1944: Andy Woods, Woods’ Tanning, Uitenhage.
29/12/1949: Paul Jacobus Smit, S&S Boutique, Tzaneen.
29/12/1971: Regman Govender, Exodus Marketing, Durban.
29/12/1981: Ganesh Kadoo, UCL Co Ltd, Dalton.
31/12/1958: Neil Burnham, Joslyn’s Shoes Johannesburg.

Birthdays in January
01/01/1937: Franco Polia, freelance designer, Pinetown.
01/01/1947: Chris Ryder, consultant, Pinetown.
01/01/1965: Selwyn van Aarde, Barker Footwear, Cape Town.
03/01/1946: Johannes Kruger, Perfect Shoes, Keetmanshoop, Namibia.
03/01/1948: Dave Lloyd, Futura, Pinetown.
03/01/19??: Anne Thomas, Bagshaw Footwear, Port Elizabeth.
04/01/1945: Mike Lambrakis, Shoe Pair Market, Pinetown.
04/01/1956: Allison Gans, GW Cowie & Co., Pinetown.
05/01/1950: Roger Durrbaum, retired, formerly Barker Footwear, Cape Town.
05/01/1952: Charles Poole, Design Unique, East London.
05/01/1957: Herman Alheit, Dick Whittington Shoes, Cape Town.
05/01/1983: Andreas Lambrakis, Shoe Pair Market, Pinetown.
05/01/1963; Hugo Zuanni, Leather Link, Cape Town.
05/01/1977: Peter Lin, C.Y. Lin, Cape Town.
06/01/1942: Hennie du Plessis, Strassberger Shoes, Clanwilliam.
06/01/1947: Allan Harris, Woodheads, Cape Town.
06/01/1970: Neville Walters, ACA Thread, Cape Town.
07/01/1939: Sid Finlayson, retired, formerly Futura and Bolton Footwear, Mossel Bay.
07/01/1941: Dieter Zettler, retired, formerly PMC group, Pinetown.
07/01/1977: Hannelie Scholtz, Fabulous Fashions, Vryburg.
07/01/1970: Ingo Fleischer, Johnson Controls SA, Uitenhage.

In Memoriam over the Festive Season

18/12/2003: Ben Stoltzman (b. 03.05/1933), Vogue Shoes/Sportshoe SA [closed], Cape Town.
22/12/2008: John Whittle (b. 21/05/1936), John Whittle Components, Pinetown.
23/12/2004: Stewart Dorrington (b.?), King Tanning, King William’s Town.
23/12/2014: Mohammed Seedat (b. 16/07/1942), Jino’s Clothing, Johannesburg.
25/12/2003: Lionel Klein (b. 24/08/1926), agent, Durban.
30/12/2016: Michael O’Connor (b. 11/12/1951), Jensen Belts, Cape Town.
31/12/2003: Peter Craythorne (b. 28/02/1935), BUSM/Woodheads, Cape Town.
31/12/2000: Nols Jonker (b. 10/06/1944), Watson Shoes, Great Brak River.

In Memoriam, January
01/01/2012: Balduin Heimann (b. 30/06/1932), agent, Cape Town.
04/01/2004: Rob Gowie (b. 01/07/1938), GW Reynolds/Rob Gowie Components/ Fashion Components/Plasticone [all closed], Cape Town.
06/01/2000: Alan Palmer (b. 02/09/1946), Medicus, Port Elizabeth.
06/01/2010: Minty Kock (b. 15/06/1950), Meroda Footwear [closed], Cape Town.
07/01/2010: Danie Du Toit (b. 22/02/1948), Carca Footwear, Lesotho.
07/01/2015: Rob Thompson (b. 06/08/1948), agent, 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 14/12: Hides & skins prices

The average hide price over the past week was R11.53/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. The average price for Dorper skins was R35.50, and for Merino skins was R91.86.

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

Lots and lots of experience on offer!

I am seeking to obtain a position in the footwear industry which I have enjoyed working in since 1972.
- I have worked in sales as an agent (Rockshoes / Paradise Wholesalers);
- As a chain footwear buyer and later merchandise director (for The Hub, Stuttafords and Footgear), and later as senior footwear buyer for Game / Massmart;
- As a manufacturer (I started Tuppino Footwear in 1992);
- As an independent retailer (I had 4 stores at one point).
The Footwear Industry has and always will be of interest to me, be it sales or in a management capacity or as a buyer, and I believe I have boundless expertise and enthusiasm to offer a wide variety of businesses in the industry. Prepared to relocate if required. - Neil Tupper, Cell: 0827732221, Email : neilt@ushomi.co.za

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: January 8, 2018.

SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za

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