S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 45, Nov 12, 2018
This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA
Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website
Green Cross to close factory
Cape Town (SA) – JSE-listed company AVI Ltd is to announce its decision to close the Green Cross Manufacturers factory, it has been reliably learnt. It intends to switch entirely to importing its footwear.
It is a body blow to footwear manufacturing in Cape Town, and against a general trend which has seen footwear brand holders bringing manufacturing back to SA.
Aside from the Green Cross retail chain, AVI owns A&D Spitz.
Black Friday: Suppliers' perspective
Not a good thing, and the timing is wrong
Morné Howell, member, Afro-Thai Imports, Trafalgar: – We are involved and it has provided us with an opportunity of getting rid of some slow moving lines and provided our customers with the opportunity of moving stock and making some extra cash.
We have, however, been treading lightly around the prostitution of our brands and have been managing the price points carefully.
I am of the opinion that consumers are intelligent and will wait for specials rather than shop spontaneously, if too many are run per year.
I bet retailers like the Proshop are feeling the heat on their margins, because of the increase in frequency of their specials. Consumers are just waiting for the next special, before spending anything. This leads to far less sales during non-special weeks and can lead to a downward spiral in total sales.
Gary Woolfson, MD, Armadillo Footwear, Johannesburg: We don't really get involved besides trying to clear slow sellers.
Alan Fleetwood, MD, Bolton Footwear, Cape Town: Yes we do supply some packages of specials to some retailers, but this is mainly out of excess slow moving goods.
Our experience, based on the outcomes of the past 4 or so years, is that it does the footwear industry no favours. Black Friday soaks up the consumer’s cash and there is not enough left for the industry’s usual share of festive season trade.
Unfortunately, it got so big, that to not participate requires a strong resolve.
Sanjay Pattundeen, MD, Caprini Footwear, Durban: I have two thoughts (possibly contradictory).
To boost consumer spending is always great, more importantly in these tough economic times. Spin-offs are positive, one being you can win consumers by offering them these heavily discounted items.
The downside – consumers await this opportunity and delay purchases which they would normally have made previously. I also feel it's too close to the Christmas period. Perhaps in July may be better.
Regarding Caprini’s contribution to our customers, it was not strategically planned. There were some offers (old materials etc ) to some customers who in turn saw it as an opportunity for Black Friday.
John Comley, CEO, Eddels Shoes: It started out in the US as a way to clear slow moving stock, but I think it's lost its direction here, and I think one way or the other, the supply base pays for it. Consumers are so cash strapped that I think it takes money out of Christmas trading.
It's a good thing for consumers, and used correctly, it could be beneficial for everyone. I think it should be something that takes place after Christmas, as part of the January sales.
We don't supply anything specifically for Black Friday.
SAFLIA to present 'Masterplan' to DTI
Release from SAFLIA
Durban (SA) – SAFLIA and B&M Analysts have been invited to present their 2030 Masterplan to Minister Rob Davies at a meeting taking place at the DTI Campus in Pretoria on the 23rd of November 2018. This will then be incorporated into the R-CTFL Masterplan Policy.
Changes
Johannesburg (SA) – Former Jumbo Footwear Gauteng agent Ismail Laher has left the industry.
Send us the links
Curry's Post (SA) – Amanda McCarthy of Groundcover Leather Co. is the first person to respond to our invitation to publicise your websites and Facebook pages. She writes:
"Our new site went live yesterday (November 7) – after a year in progress!
"To celebrate the launch, we are running a competition for the month of November.
"You can see our facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/groundcoverza/
"Anyone who orders online will go into a draw to win a pair of our fabulous suede vellies in khaki, Brown, Navy or Red. (Photo below)
"Our new website is much more user friendly and more modern than its predecessor.
"We are hoping to increase our online sales and broaden our online community to allow more people to enjoy our amazing hand crafted leather products."
The web address is: https://groundcover.co.za/. It includes the amazingly diverse range of Groundcover products - footwear, bags, smalls, trims and furniture - and it looks very user friendly.
We invite other businesses to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which they feel would be of interest to others.
They Said It
"I have a whole lot of customers who are now waiting for the Springboks to lose against them. They are civil, but they are nasty." - South Cape Ostrich Tanning marketing director Frik Kriek, speaking last week before the Boks played France.
"I‘ll try not to be so hard on you - a senior citizen." - SAFLIA executive director Jirka Vymetal, to me, because I hadn't understood his shorthand version of a company name. Us senior citizens have feelings too, you know. PS: A note to the SMS generation - 'shorthand' is (or was) a system of handwriting (you know what that is?) using abbreviations and symbols. A bit like SMS speak, but we KNEW the correct spelling.
Exchange rates
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 11/12/2017 |
R15.82 |
R17.99 |
R13.40 |
R2.03 |
| 05/01/2018 |
R14.86 |
R16.69 |
R12.33 |
R1.90 |
| 13/01/2018 |
R15.14 |
R17.03 |
R12.41 |
R1.92 |
| 22/01/2018 |
R14.76 |
R16.75 |
R12.08 |
R1.88 |
| 26/01/2018 |
R14.74 |
R16.79 |
R11.86 |
R1.87 |
| 05/02/2018 |
R14.96 |
R16.89 |
R12.02 |
R1.91 |
| 12/02/2018 |
R14.64 |
R16.51 |
R11.95 |
R1.88 |
| 16/02/2018 |
R14.43 |
R16.30 |
R11.63 |
R1.83 |
| 23/02/2018 |
R14.19 |
R16.12 |
R11.54 |
R1.82 |
| 05/03/2018 |
R14.60 |
R16.39 |
R11.85 |
R1.86 |
| 12/03/2018 |
R14.58 |
R16.43 |
R11.82 |
R1.86 |
| 16/03/2018 |
R14.72 |
R16.70 |
R11.97 |
R1.89 |
| 23/03/2018 |
R14.53 |
R16.60 |
R11.75 |
R1.86 |
| 03/03/2018 |
R14.58 |
R16.62 |
R11.83 |
R1.88 |
| 11/04/2018 |
R14.75 |
R16.91 |
R11.93 |
R1.90 |
| 16/04/2018 |
R14.89 |
R17.23 |
R12.04 |
R1.91 |
| 23/04/2018 |
R14.99 |
R17.11 |
R12.27 |
R1.94 |
| 30/04/2018 |
R15.06 |
R17.16 |
R12.47 |
R1.96 |
| 07/05/2018 |
R14.96 |
R16.98 |
R12.55 |
R1.97 |
| 14/05/2018 |
R14.60 |
R16.54 |
R12.21 |
R1.92 |
| 22/05/2018 |
R14.84 |
R16.92 |
R12.61 |
R1.97 |
| 28/05/2018 |
R14.47 |
R16.55 |
R12.43 |
R1.94 |
| 04/06/2018 |
R14.70 |
R16.78 |
R12.54 |
R1.95 |
| 11/06/2018 |
R15.46 |
R17.55 |
R13.10 |
R2.04 |
| 18/06/2018 |
R15.63 |
R17.83 |
R13.45 |
R2.09 |
| 25/06/2018 |
R15.89 |
R18.05 |
R13.60 |
R2.07 |
| 02/07/2018 |
R16.10 |
R18.18 |
R13.87 |
R2.08 |
| 09/07/2018 |
R15.79 |
R17.90 |
R13.41 |
R2.02 |
| 16/07/2018 |
R15.45 |
R17.50 |
R13.19 |
R1.97 |
| 23/07/2018 |
R15.82 |
R17.72 |
R13.52 |
R1.99 |
| 28/07/2018 |
R15.36 |
R17.26 |
R13.17 |
R1.93 |
| 04/08/2018 |
R15.40 |
R17.31 |
R13.31 |
R1.94 |
| 11/08/2018 |
R16.11 |
R18.02 |
R14.11 |
R2.06 |
| 18/08/2018 |
R16.75 |
R18.67 |
R14.64 |
R2.13 |
| 25/08/2018 |
R16.56 |
R18.29 |
R14.23 |
R2.09 |
| 01/09/2018 |
R17.09 |
R19.07 |
R14.72 |
R2.15 |
| 08/09/2018 |
R17.64 |
R19.71 |
R15.26 |
R2.23 |
| 15/09/2018 |
R17.37 |
R19.54 |
R14.94 |
R2.17 |
| 22/09/2018 |
R16.82 |
R18.72 |
R14.33 |
R2.08 |
| 29/09/2018 |
R16.46 |
R18.47 |
R14.17 |
R2.06 |
| 06/10/2018 |
R17.06 |
R19.43 |
R14.80 |
R2.15 |
| 13/10/2018 |
R16.81 |
R19.12 |
R14.53 |
R2.10 |
| 20/10/2018 |
R16.64 |
R18.87 |
R14.43 |
R2.08 |
| 27/10/2018 |
R16.68 |
R18.76 |
R14.62 |
R2.10 |
| 03/11/2018 |
R16.28 |
R18.55 |
R14.30 |
R2.07 |
| 10/11/2018 |
R16.29 |
R18.65 |
R14.37 |
R2.06 |
 
12/11/1954: Kevin van Staden, retired, formerly Bolton Footwear, Port Elizabeth.
12/11/1966: Bevin Horwitz, agent, Pretoria.
12/11/1981: Gert Kruger, TST Leather, Cape Town.
13/11/1945: Eckie Schumann, Shoetech, Pinetown.
13/11/????: Indira Singh, retired, formerly Bellstedt, Pinetown.
14/11/1953: Bruce Lynn, emigrated.
14/11/1974: Norman Venks, HW Textiles, Hammarsdale.
14/11/1983: Ximena Farfan, freelance designer, Johannesburg.
15/11/1977: Mario Alves, Unikem Pinetown.
15/11/1971: Michelle Lambert, Freestyle Handmade Originals, Cape Town.
15/11/1971: Marcus Reddy, International Fabric Supplies, Durban.
16/11/1939: Danny Pincus, agent, Johannesburg.
16/11/1950: Len Crozier, retired, formerly leather technician, Bronkhorstspruit.
16/11/????: Sonal Ambaram, JFK Trading, Durban.
17/11/1953: Andy Sandison, retired, formerly ACA Threads, Cape Town.
17/11/1966: Robbert van Schagen, Paris Avenue Boutique, Windhoek.
18/11/1939: Frank Rosenberg, Leathermarc, Bloemfontein.
18/11/1954: Feroze Bhamjee, Piccadilly, Johannesburg.
In Memoriam this week
12/11/1997: Angus Ogilvie, Ogilvie's Shoes [closed], Pietermaritzburg.
15/11/2002: Jody Woycieh (b. 12/11/1949), Sting Components [closed], Pietermaritzburg.
Have you let us know about your birthday, or the birthdays of your colleagues? Our readers love this section, so please become part of it. This also applies to the In Memoriam section. Help us remember former colleagues.
ABSA Agri Trends 9/11: Hides & skins prices
The average hide price over the past week was R4.85/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. On October 10, the average price for Dorper skins was R30.63, and for Merino skins was R96.86.
| Hide & skin price progression |
| Date |
Hides/Kg |
Dorper/Skin |
Merino Skin |
| 19/01 |
15.34 |
45.56 |
81.38 |
| 24/01 |
15.17 |
40.92 |
89.52 |
| 31/01 |
15.10 |
46.00 |
94.55 |
| 14/02 |
14.65 |
47.33 |
95.29 |
| 15/03 |
14.25 |
39.30 |
78.75 |
| 24/03 |
14.13 |
45.27 |
94.45 |
| 28/03 |
14.07 |
45.27 |
94.45 |
| 04/04 |
14.83 |
41.92 |
87.58 |
| 11/04 |
14.68 |
41.92 |
84.12 |
| 19/04 |
14.77 |
43.85 |
92.32 |
| 25/04 |
14.75 |
41.25 |
92.27 |
| 04/05 |
14.79 |
43.33 |
92.69 |
| 10/05 |
14.75 |
40.50 |
88.41 |
| 16/05 |
14.58 |
40.83 |
90.96 |
| 31/05 |
14.62 |
40.50 |
87.95 |
| 09/06 |
14.58 |
41.82 |
96.35 |
| 23/06 |
14.40 |
40.42 |
101.25 |
| 29/06 |
14.30 |
41.36 |
98.44 |
| 07/07 |
14.33 |
43.33 |
100.94 |
| 13/07 |
14.37 |
44.44 |
114.58 |
| 28/07 |
14.14 |
43.64 |
97.50 |
| 04/08 |
14.16 |
43.69 |
99.64 |
| 14/08 |
14.08 |
38.99 |
92.75 |
| 18/08 |
13.70 |
43.18 |
98.96 |
| 25/08 |
13.93 |
43.75 |
100.96 |
| 01/09 |
13.14 |
44.09 |
101.25 |
| 08/09 |
12.88 |
41.82 |
100.83 |
| 21/09 |
12.64 |
|
|
| 03/10 |
12.50 |
|
|
| 11/10 |
12.52 |
|
|
| 20/10 |
12.23 |
39.30 |
110.23 |
| 27/10 |
12.12 |
37.30 |
94.32 |
| 02/11 |
12.19 |
|
|
| 10/11 |
12.24 |
37.00 |
101.75 |
| 30/11 |
11.82 |
32.56 |
94.25 |
| 07/12 |
11.76 |
35.50 |
92.50 |
| 14/12 |
11.53 |
35.50 |
91.86 |
| 02/02 |
10.39 |
32.50 |
92.22 |
| 09/02 |
10.17 |
33.13 |
91.27 |
| 16/02 |
9.94 |
32.50 |
88.26 |
| 16/02 |
9.94 |
32.50 |
88.26 |
| 16/03 |
9.62 |
33.75 |
90.50 |
| 23/03 |
9.56 |
32.22 |
87.63 |
| 06/04 |
8.86 |
36.67 |
82.50 |
| 13/04 |
8.98 |
35.00 |
81.25 |
| 23/04 |
8.40 |
35.13 |
86.00 |
| 26/04 |
8.18 |
34.13 |
86.11 |
| 07/05 |
7.89 |
33.33 |
83.13 |
| 18/05 |
7.71 |
33.50 |
82.22 |
| 25/05 |
7.78 |
31.38 |
86.06 |
| 01/06 |
7.74 |
30.71 |
95.89 |
| 08/06 |
7.43 |
31.67 |
87.50 |
| 15/06 |
7.67 |
32.11 |
87.40 |
| 22/06 |
7.60 |
32.50 |
86.70 |
| 29/06 |
7.13 |
32.78 |
86.50 |
| 06/07 |
7.04 |
32.14 |
86.67 |
| 27/07 |
5.85 |
40.56 |
96.83 |
| 10/08 |
5.32 |
34.44 |
87.10 |
| 23/08 |
5.34 |
36.00 |
91.00 |
| 07/09 |
4.61 |
35.45 |
95.18 |
| 14/09 |
4.65 |
30.00 |
99.36 |
| 12/10 |
5.00 |
30.56 |
95.00 |
| 02/11 |
4.82 |
31.11 |
92.60 |
SPCA appeal
S&V appeals to all readers, especially those in the Eastern Cape or with connections to the Eastern Cape, to donate to the King William's Town SPCA. The reasons are set out below. S&V has donated R2000 as a start. Any firm that donates and lets us know will be mentioned with thanks in the newsletter. What is especially commendable about the King SPCA is that they are sharing whatever they get with the SPCA in the village of Stutterheim. Read on:
The King William's Town SPCA has had a major influx of animals after assisting the Amahlati SPCA with the evacuation of their animals due to violent riots in the Stutterheim area. This has been at a huge cost to the King William's Town SPCA who are now in dire need of dog and cat food.
The King Williams Town SPCA has had no choice but to draw funds from their reserves to keep up with feeding all the additional animals that are in their care.
“We humbly request the generous assistance of the public with supplying dog and cat pellets and tinned food in order to keep the animals in our care healthy and happy,” said Annette Rademeyer of the King William's Town SPCA.
The King William's Town SPCA never refuses to assist any animal or their neighbouring SPCAs when they are in need. We humbly call on the public to assist the King Williams Town SPCA in their time of need.
The banking details are:
Account name: KWT SPCA
Account number: 62018960709, FNB King William's Town
Branch code: 210519
Upcoming Trade Fairs
The SLTC 2019 Conference will be held on April 27 at the Park Inn, Northampton. See our website for details.
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
Corvari Footwear
Sales Reps wanted for Free State / Eastern Cape / Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West
Looking for 3 reps to cover the above areas for our Cobbles and Noodles brands. Knowledge of children’s footwear is essential. Please send a detailed CV to Caroline at
cobbles@telkomsa.net
Corvari Footwear
We are pleased to announce that Mike Wallace (072 445 5285) is the new agent representing the Angels brand and Morris Bernstein (082 855 5880) is the agent representing the Natural Steps and the new agent for the Cobbles & Noodles brands in the Western Cape.
Top safety brand seeks consultant
Safety Footwear consultant required to work on a consultancy basis with existing business. Must have knowledge of NRCS approvals process.
admin@barglobal.co.za
In need of a boardroom?
SAFLEC, situated at 6 Stedman Mews, 128 Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville, has a boardroom for hire.
It seats up to 12 people around a table, and has space to add up to 15 more chairs in the room. You are welcome to view the room before hiring.
For more information, please contact Louise on 031 266 1473 or louise@saflec.co.za.
We look forward to being of service.
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: November 19, 2018.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Should you wish to subscribe email tony@svmag.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
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