S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 52, Dec 31, 2018

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

Christmas trading

This week, comment from several chains
Kim van Wyngaard, procurement manager, Select M Stores. Family outfitting chain, budget, 50+ stores. - "Some of our stores closed on the 14th of December, the rest on the 21st, when the mines shut, so we don't have December trading like other retailers. However, it was generally not a bad December after a very tough year."

Ebrahim Sujee, financial manager, Shoe Zone. Family footwear, handbag and belt chain, budget, 70+ stores. - "Nothing great, but it was fair."

Jax Snyman, member, The Sweat Shop. Specialist running, trail running and athletic footwear mini-chain, branded, 5 stores. - "December started fairly slowly, then picked up. Normally we're very busy between Christmas and New Year, but this year it was fine until this weekend, when it was dead. There was no indication on Friday that it would slow down, but it did. Black Friday seems to have had more of an effect this year than last. We ended the year flat on last year, but in Rand terms, unfortunately, not units."

A word or two from Sam Setter

International leather columnist Sam Setter, who was a speaker at the 2018 SLTC Convention and who will again be a keynote speaker at the 2019 convention, has sent the following message: "To everyone in the South African leather value chain, and in particular those that organized and attended the SLTC convention, best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2019."
       Of his decision to be a speaker again in 2019, he said: "Yes I have accepted the invitation. I wouldn’t want to miss it!!!!"

They Said It

"IN MY  48 YEARS OF WHOLESALE AND NOW RETAIL  TRADE,  EVEN  DURING THE '76 UPRISINGS,  THE LATE EIGHTIES POLITICAL UPHEAVAL AND PRE-ELECTION  AND POST  ELECTION VIOLENCE THAT ENGULFED THE COUNTRY.....2018,  THE  ZUMA  ERA  .....WILL GO DOWN  AS  'THE KAKEST OF  KAKEST YEARS'. PARDON  THE EXPRESSION.... IF THIS IS GOING TO BE THE TREND, THEN GOD HELP US. IT IS TIME AND NOW OVERDUE  THAT OUR  SO CALLED LEADERS BEGIN TO GRASP THE DIRE SITUATION  WE ARE IN.....THEY THEMSELVES WILL BE FEELING THE CRUNCH...LET SANITY PREVAIL." - Ahmed Sibda, City Fashions, Benoni

"No, all the candles won't fit on the cake, but it's a very small cake." - Retired former leather technician Ken Moakes on his 74th birthday on Friday.

Fred Footwear takes part in Egyptian fair

Port Elizabeth (SA) – Fred Footwear managing executive Rolland Eboru sent this report: "Fred Footwear was amongst the first 40 South African companies and in so doing the first 1000 African businesses that participated in the first Intra-Africa Trade Fair in Cairo (December 2018). Fred Footwear’s participation in Africa’s unique journey has led to the coverage in the News. Please see link below for the full story."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKjkUtwkq60

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/

31/12/1958: Neil Burnham, Joslyn’s Shoes Johannesburg.
01/01/1937: Franco Polia, freelance designer, Pinetown.
01/01/1947: Chris Ryder, left the industry, now in Mpumalanga.
01/01/1965: Selwyn van Aarde, Barker Footwear, Cape Town.
03/01/1946: Johannes Kruger, Perfect Shoes, Keetmanshoop, Namibia.
03/01/1948: Dave Lloyd, retired, formerly Bata SA, Pinetown.
03/01/19??: Anne Thomas, Bagshaw Footwear, Port Elizabeth.
04/01/1945: Mike Lambrakis, retired, formerly various shoe factories, 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.
05/01/1963; 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.
06/01/1968: Gavin Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban.
06/01/1970: Neville Walters, ACA Thread, Cape Town.

In Memoriam this week

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.
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.
05/01/1996: Henry Ogus [b. 09/02/1944], Bata SA, Shoes for Africa, Johannesburg.
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.

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 14/12: Hides & skins prices

Bovine: 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. Sheep: The average price for dorper skin was R30.71/skin and R92.50/skin for merino skins.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: January 7, 2019.

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