S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.4 No.2, January 15, 2018

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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

Probe scuppers Steinhoff talks to buy another chain

The investigation by German police into Steinhoff International Holdings NV ended negotiations in December by its Steinhoff Africa Retail subsidiary to take over another SA-based footwear chain, according to a source. No comment was available from either side last week.
       Reports in various financial media have suggested that the immediate problem facing all Steinhoff subsidiaries is access to operating capital, irrespective of their underlying strength.
       Steinhoff Africa Retail - the Star Group - includes apparel chains Ackermans, Dunns, John Craig, Pep, Pep Africa, Refinery, Shoe City and Tekkie Town, along with furniture, hardware, household goods, IT and music chains. It was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange last September when Steinhoff International sold 23.19% of the shares for R16 billion.
       A request to Ian Nel of investor relations at the Star Group's head office for comment on the future of Steinhoff's apparel businesses, locally and internationally, was referred to investor relations at Steinhoff International. An unsigned reply read: "Please be advised that the information you request may be price sensitive and cannot be supplied unless it is published on SENS", and referred enquiries to http://www.steinhoffinternational.com/sens.php.
       A release on that site dated January 4 and headlined 'Steinhoff liquidity update and management board changes' included this statement:
Liquidity update: The interaction with Steinhoff’s global banking and financing partners following the meetings with lenders in London on 19 December 2017 and with South African lenders on the 21st of December are ongoing. While the Group has achieved some degree of stabilisation in its operating businesses, significant near-term liquidity is still required in certain of the business units. The Supervisory and Management Boards of the Company remain committed to work with its lenders and other finance providers in finding solutions and to return liquidity to the Group in order to stabilise the affected underlying operations and will update the market in due course.

New chair for General Goods Association

Johannesburg (SA) – Mandy Owen of Vermont Leather Goods was elected chair of the Association of SA Manufacturers of Luggage, Handbags & General Goods at its AGM late last year.
       Outgoing chair Shaun Esson, who headed the association for 8 years, did not stand for re-election.

Registration open to attend Council for Leather Exports India’s Leather & Footwear Expo in Cape Town next month.

Cape Town (SA) – New business opportunities await you at India’s exclusive Footwear, Leather Goods, Leather Garments and Finished Leather Trade Expo on 21 & 22 February, CTICC, Cape Town. The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) proudly presents top class manufacturers including ladies, men's and children's fashion leather and non-leather footwear, sandals and slippers; safety shoes and boots; sports shoes; school shoes; leather jackets and PU garments; small leather goods such as handbags, wallets, gloves, belts, travel bags, key accessories; finished leather; leather shoe uppers; saddlery items to Southern African buyers. Come and view their latest collections aimed exclusively at buyers from chain stores, independent retailers, mini chains, boutiques as well as agents, importers, distributors, manufacturers and other industry decision makers. The event offers you an excellent opportunity to meet reputable exporters from India all under one roof. A great networking platform to explore, look for new suppliers and see what's new and available from India. The exhibitors are all members of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) India who will also be present at the show to provide invaluable assistance and information to South African businesses regarding sourcing from India.
Entry is FREE, but pre-register necessary. Register online at www.urexpo.com.
For further information, call +27 21 790 5849 or email: nthomas@worldonline.co.za

Update: Dog shot numerous times – left to suffer

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) investigated the matter of the deputy mayor and his bodyguards for the cruel shooting of a dog in the Melmoth area on 25 November 2017 and the findings were more horrific than originally reported.
       Video footage of the incident surfaced on social media, bringing it to the attention of the NSPCA and Eshowe SPCA 5 days after the dog was shot. The Eshowe SPCA Inspector attended to the complaint as soon as he was made aware of the situation and found a dog still alive with multiple gunshot wounds. 5 days had lapsed and not a single person sought help for this animal, allowing it to suffer for a prolonged period of time.
      On closer analysis of the video that originally depicted a dog that is tied to a pole being repeatedly shot – it came to light that four dogs were in fact shot. 1 dog was shot multiple times, another dog escaped wounded and 2 puppies were shot. One of the puppies was in the hands of a 9 year old boy and the shooter took the shot whilst still in the hands of the young boy.
      A witness stated that there was no proof that these were the dogs that attacked livestock as livestock roam and that it was assumed that it was these dogs, two of which were puppies.
      “We are absolutely overcome with devastation for these animals who have been failed by humans. The sheer disregard to their sentience is disturbing and to walk away showing absolutely no shame is unforgiveable, in the midst of children, while one of the animals is in the hands of a child – it is inconceivable to think that this was the act of leadership” said Meg Wilson, manager of the NSPCA Communications Unit.
      An NSPCA Inspector travelled to Melmoth to open a case against the accused and was accompanied by an armed guard from Ummvemve Investments CC. as there were concerns for the Inspector’s safety given the nature of the case.
      The NSPCA have laid charges against the deputy mayor, the shooters and the owner of the dogs in terms of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962. Furthermore, the South African Police Services are investigating the matter in terms of the Firearms Control Act No 60 of 2000.
      Sincere appreciation is expressed to Ummvemve Investments CC. for assisting our Inspector at no cost.
CONTACT PERSON: Meg Wilson, Communications Unit Manager, +27 82 828 0337, comms@nspca.co.za

Exchange rates

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

Birthdays this week

15/01/19??: Vimal Ambaram, JFK Trading, Durban.
17/01/1949: Carol Mentor, retired, formerly NULAW, Cape Town
17/01/1961: Gita Chetty, Angelai’s, Durban.

In Memoriam this week

16/01/2000: Brenda Fairhead, Fairhead’s [closed], Cape Town.
16/01/2004: Derek Funnell (b. 07/10/1938), Carl Freudenberg/DB Funnell Leathers, Cape Town.
17/01/2012: Graham Pearson (b. 16/01/1929), Apeco, Pinetown.
18/01/2002: Frank Mellon (b. 04/02/1930), Valmell Components, Durban.
19/01/19??: Thomas Anthony (Tony) O’Sullivan (b.08/06/1928), Vogue Shoes and others [closed], Cape Town.
20/01/2010: Johan Bester (b. 08/11/1936), ProGlove, King William’s Town.

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

TOP SALES AGENT WANTED

For Gauteng: To sell Ladies Footwear

Contact: Stan Rabinowitz
Footwear Direct cc
083 310 2687
stan@footweardirect.co.za

Needed: A footwear mentor for a new brand owner

I am looking for a business mentor in the shoe industry. I have just started a shoe brand and I would like mentorship in any and all parts of the shoe business.  I have used business mentors before, but I find if they do not know much about the shoe industry, and it can sometimes feel like a waste of time. 

  I am willing to pay for the mentorship, even if it's a Skype call or a meeting once a month. I am also willing to work for the mentorship if required. 

  Yiota Christoforou +27 (0)72 455 8600, pchristoforou1@gmail.com

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 22, 2018.

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

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