S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 50, Dec 17, 2018

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Christmas trading

This week, a look at retail in smaller towns and cities –
Greg Bing, member, A.P. Jones, department store, Fish Hoek: "Kakker than kak. I didn't think it could get worse than 2017, but it has. If you get feet through the doors but don't do the turnover, then you have a merchandise problem. We're not getting the feet through the door, despite advertising. This year, the footwear department has taken a knock for the first time."

Hurshvaden Vallabh, proprietor, Academy Outfitters, Ermelo: "It's been on the slow side. Maybe - hopefully - it will pick up."

Dinesh Parshotam, director, Ace Outfitters, Port Elizabeth: "It's been terrible, worse than last year."

Yunus Pochee, member, Adam's Men's Outfitters, Sasolburg: "Luke warm."

Mark Kingon, member, Kingon's, department store, East London: "It's been a bit slow, but yesterday and today it's picked up, and although we're definitely in a recession, we're hoping that will continue. People have received their bonuses, and our school department, which is an important part of our business, has benefitted. Our shoe department is up on last year."

Edcon denies 'imminent liquidation' report, says it is close to recapitalisation deal

Johannesburg (SA) – According to a report in Business Insider, Edcon CEO Grant Pattison yesterday denied a Sunday Times report that Edcon would 'close 1 300 stores if an offer to landlords was rejected'. He said Edcon was 'close to announcing a recapitalisation deal which will ensure its survival'. For the full report, see: https://www.businessinsider.co.za/edgars-ceo-grant-pattison-company-liquidation-140000-jobs-2018-12
       In June, following information given to us, S&V asked him whether Edcon was preparing itself to go into business rescue. His response was: "There is no truth to that statement. I would be happy to speak to your source to correct them."

Positive messages

Robby Stoller, MD, Dangee Carken, Johannesburg - "Dangee | Carken ended another growth year with huge advances in claiming substantial market share from our competitors. Our ability to read the fashion, coupled with quick turnaround and powerful marketing, has once again proved to be a winning formula. Mid-year we moved into our state-of-the-art building, advancing our position as fashion leaders. We are also making huge progress in our investment in technology which will take us further away from the old style of trading. We are firmly positioned to take on what lies ahead.
       "2019 is going to be a challenging year with political instability, populist statements and a struggling economy all posing curve balls to successful trading. However, 'There is nothing like a good crisis to capitalise on opportunity'. Sure it’s going to be tough - but we're ready."

Leon Buhr, MD, Equator Accessories, New Germany - "2018 was a momentous year for Equator. Apart from good growth, we moved our business in July into a custom fitted green facility. The greatest achievement though, belongs to our phenomenal staff who managed all of this with only 2 hours downtime for the factory and not a single hour for the DC and office teams. Due to incredible planning and hard work by our staff (and three weekends of sheer grit and determination), we didn’t miss a delivery deadline the entire month. I don’t actually know how they did it. At one point I just prayed, closed my eyes and waited for everything and everybody to collapse. Nothing and nobody did. 
       "Our customers have been incredibly supportive and especially our Wembley brand has seen good growth with the retailers that have partnered with us. This week we’re all going on holiday exhausted …. but positive! We feel good about 2019 as we have many exciting projects on the go."

They Said It

"The shoe department is up on last year - not much, but up is up these days." - Mark Kingon, Kingon's East London.

"Sorry it is late. Batman is having an off day." - Rolfes Leather's Quintin Marais, a.k.a. Robin's sidekick.

Dick Whittington's 70th

There were 2 ads missing from the congratulatory issue on Dick Whittington's 70th anniversary (S&V Footwear & Leather Goods, Vol 81 No 10). Better late than never!

2019 Trade Fairs Another essential service from S&V

Please note that we have put a list of the 2019 trade fairs and conferences on our website, linked to their websites: http://www.svmag.co.za/events

Exchange rates

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

17/12/1972: Iqbal Abdulla, Studio 88, Johannesburg.
18/12/1978: Hassive Magaña Maya, Spanish Commercial Office, 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.
20/12/1976: Zamo Mkhize, Nicole Footwear, Durban.
21/12/1942: Allan Kushner, retired, formerly Shoe Fayre, Pretoria.
21/12/1963: Trevor Capell, left the industry, Hilton.
22/12/1966: Collin Kisten 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, Bata SA, Pinetown.

In Memoriam this week

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.

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.

Send us the links

This week, Saddler Belts sales manager Mylene Fisher invites readers to check out its new website. She writes:
www.saddlerbelts.co.za Look out for our improved website in the new year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their continued support and wish them all the very best for 2019!
Follow us on
Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/SaddlerBelts/
Twitter https://twitter.com/SaddlerBelts
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/saddlerbelts/


We invite other businesses to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which they feel would be of interest to others.

ABSA Agri Trends 04/12: Hides & skins prices

The average hide price over the past week was R3.85/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies.

Classified Adverts

AGENTS REQUIRED

Mens KZN based leather footwear manufacturer
requires agents in the following areas:
Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Botswana.
Kindly reply by Email to: 1footwear@icon.co.za

Shops for sale, Mpumalanga

Profitable footwear and clothing retailer (2 stores) for sale in Mpumalanga town.  No goodwill.  Pay only for stock, fixtures and equipment  +/-2.5m.  Property available for 250k.

Serious buyers can call 065 925 0359.

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: December 24, 2018.

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

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