S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.5 No.5, Feb 4, 2019

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

LET'S MAKE 2019 A REALLY GOOD YEAR!

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

Retail last week

On Saturday, comment from 3 independents
"It's been very poor, and sales have been down on previous years. That's been true of the whole of January, even the back-to-school period." - Don Patel, proprietor, American Tailors & Outfitters, Roodepoort, Gauteng. 2 stores, men's and boys' outfitter.

"Since the schools went back it's been very quiet. January wasn't great." - Ahmed Osman Ghoor, director, Amie's Lifestyle, Vryburg and Taung, NW Province. 2 stores, men's and women's branded footwear.

"Last year was quiet, and this year has started the same. We have a niche market - a sort of bespoke boutique selling men's large sizes, in clothing and footwear - and the customers still come. But where they used to buy several shirts and trousers at a time, they now buy one of each." - Wendy de Kock, MD, Andy's Man's Shop, Cape Town, W Cape. 1 store, men's outfitter.

BBF, unions to discuss future of United Fram

Johannesburg, Gauteng (SA) – In negotiations to be chaired by the CCMA, the BBF Safety Group and footwear unions will this week meet to discuss the future of the United Fram factory in Sprinz Avenue, Village Main. The talks do not affect the BBF Group's other Gauteng facility, Wayne Plastics.

Bata vs Ihlobo: Appeals dismissed

Bloemfontein, Free State (SA) – The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed 2 applications by Bata SA for leave to appeal against judgments by the High Court, Pietermaritzburg, in the case between Bata SA and Ihlobo Footwear.
       The first appeal was against the court order in which Bata was ordered to continue supplying orders to Ihlobo, and the second was against Bata being found in contempt of court in their failure to provide orders to Ihlobo.
       The judgments, by judges JA Leach and AJA Davis, on January 28, both read: "The application for leave to appeal is dismissed with costs on the grounds that there is no reasonable prospect of success in an appeal and there is no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard."
       The dispute between Ihlobo Footwear cc and Bata SA (Pty) Ltd over the termination of an agreement between them was referred to arbitration in August. No date has been set for the arbitration.

Update on FMD outbreak

From Khaye Nkwanyana, media liaison officer, Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Pretoria, Gauteng (SA) – The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, together with the industry, will update the media at 11.00 today on the status of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Limpopo. The minister will also give an overview on drought relief interventions taken by the department.

East African companies exhibiting at Magic

The East Africa Trade & Investment Hub is supporting talented East African firms to maintain booths at this year’s Sourcing @ Magic trade show in Las Vegas (February 4-7). Check out the trade show booth guide to learn more about Madagascar Garments, DESTA PLC, Shona EPZ Limited, Leather Masters Limited, Robin Zoe, Rift Valley Leather Limited and Root in Style – exhibiting in booths 80803-80809 – and Meron by Leather Exotica, IKWETTA and Amazestep in 64500, A-C. These companies produce a range of high-quality apparel, raffia and leather products, including knitted shirts and sportswear, men and women’s handbags, and fashionable sandals and shoes. They come from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Madagascar -- all African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) countries that benefit from duty-free access to the U.S. on over 6,400 tariff lines. Run by talented entrepreneurs, these companies are creating much needed jobs in their countries and contributing to sustainable economic growth by exporting quality products.
       The Hub is committed to boosting trade and investment in East Africa and is a one-stop shop for businesses and national governments in East Africa seeking to take advantage of AGOA. - Source

They Said It

"I will comment  as per question, I suppose I owe you one or two. Please put it in proper English as my English is like airtime - sometimes I run out! " - Rosslyn Tannery director Gerrie de Jager. And no, it's not true. African Leather readers will have seen his very lucid comments in the issue that was sent out on Friday.

S&V Directory - Order now

The directory is nearing completion. Copies are available at the pre-publication price of R250. The online version is available at R450 for 12 months' access.

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/

ABSA Agri Trends 28/01: Hides & skins prices

Hide prices slide another 5.7%
Bovine: The average hide price over the past week was R2.83/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies.

04/02/1947: David Buckingham, retired, formerly Royal Adhesives, Pinetown.
06/02/1964: Wouter Joubert, TFG Apparel Supply Co, Cape Town.
06/02/1971: Carel Pretorius, Pep, Cape Town.
08/02/1949: Jeff Isaacson, agent, Durban.
08/02/1955: Mukesh Merchant, Merchant’s Outfitters, Port Elizabeth.
07/02/1957: Arun Prag, Prag Shoes and Leatherworks, Somerset West.
08/02/19??: Miles O’Brien, retired, formerly Jordan Shoes, Cape Town.
09/02/1971: Anthony Lopez, Lopez Leathers, Cape Town.
09/02/1973: Steven Govender, ?, formerly Spunlok Laminators, Pinetown.
09/02/1989: Tahir Jeewa, Traford Footwear, Durban.

In Memoriam this week

08/02/2016: Vishal Rishidaw, Smiley’s Footwear, Durban.
09/02/2006: Hubertus ‘Hub’ Bijsterveld (b. 11/12/1932), Bata Zimbabwe and other Bata companies, Gweru.
10/02/1997: Don Craig, Cape Knife, 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.

Send us the links

We invite businesses to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which they feel would be of interest to others. The links below are from our database:

All Star Fashions & Bawas Sport, family outfitter, Vereeniging, Gauteng: https://www.facebook.com/ASBawas1/
Alligator Manufacturing, nylon travel goods manufacturer, Cape Town, W Cape: http://www.alligator.co.za/

Classified Adverts

TOETOTOE

Seeking a Vibrant & Creative Shoe Designer

Budding Shoe Manufacturing Company seeks a vibrant and creative shoe designer to help move our company forward. We are looking for someone with leadership qualities as well as a creative side as they will constantly be designing new styles of shoes.
Must have experience in grading and design of ladies' and men's shoes. Experience in designing of boots would be a bonus.
We are based in Benrose, Johannesburg. Please contact Aarifah on 061 046 4180 to set up an interview. Salary and contract terms will be discussed then.

Agencies Required

Experienced agency with many years' experience looking for Men’s, Ladies' and Children’s agencies for Gauteng. We have good connections with Chain and Independent stores.

Please contact

BASIL TANNENBAUM
Phone   082 497 0854
   

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: February 11, 2019.

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

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