S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.5 No.13, April 1, 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 5 retailers
"Business is not well, and hasn't been well since January. This is a semi-rural area, and most people only have money at the end of the month. Last year, however, was good." - Dada Segwe, member, Bontsho Bosweu Shop, Vryburg, NW Province, SA. Independent, 1 store, clothing and footwear store.

"It's been fair. Not bad, not great. Things haven't been good this year, because there's a lack of money out there." - Ebrahim Ibrahim, member, Boot & Shoe, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 1 store, predominantly men's upper end footwear.

"It's been OK. No fireworks. People are buying more of the cheaper stuff. March has been an improvement over January and February, and hopefully business will increase from here. Let's hope there's no more load shedding." - Waseem Carrim, proprietor, Bossini Collezione D'Italia, Rustenburg, NW Province, SA. Independent, 1 store, lifestyle clothing and footwear.

"It improved this week, with schools going back next week. Schoolwear is an important part of our business. However, the year so far is down on last year." - Mohamed Laher, member, Boundary Silk Bazaar, Kempton Park, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 1 store. School uniform specialist, also men's large footwear sizes. Boundary is a third generation family business which turns 80 this year.

"Things are shockingly quiet. Consumers just don't have money. It's improved this last week because it's the end of the month and because of back-to-school." - Ivan Joffe, proprietor, Bracken City Shoe Centre, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's, women's and children's footwear and school uniforms.

Bata wins Toughees trademark case

Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA – Novita Shoes has been ordered to destroy all material bearing trademarks that infringe Bata Toughees, according to reports in The Witness on March 20. Pietermaritzburg High Court judge Trevor Gorven also ordered that an inquiry be held to determine the amount of damages, or reasonable royalties in lieu of damages, that Bata is entitled to. Novita has also been ordered to pay costs.
       The trademark in question is the Bata Toughees sole pattern.
       Bata became aware of Novita's sole pattern in 2007, according to the report.

New factory to start in Nicole Footwear premises

Durban, KZN, SA – Former Michelle Footwear staff member Richard Chettier has bought the equipment of Nicole Footwear, which closed 2 weeks ago, and intends to start production next month in the same premises.
       He retired from Michelle in April last year after 27 years with the business. His experience there included pattern cutting and CAD, quality control and engineering.
       With his background, it's natural that his plan is to produce women's comfort sandals. He had not decided on a name for the business when interviewed on Saturday.
       He will meet Nicole's members this week, and hopes to take on some of Nicole's staff. - +27 (0)83 280 7829, richardchettier2@gmail.com

Third Arsutoria seminar

Durban, KZN, SA – The third Arsutoria footwear collection development workshop and seminar, sponsored by SAFLIA with co-sponsors eThekwini and SAFLEC, will be held from May 13-17 at Coastlands Umhlanga. It will cover 2020/21 spring/summer trends with a brief overview of 2021/22 autumn/winter. Please contact info2@saflec.co.za and info@saflia.co.za by April 15 for further details.

They Said It

"I am experiencing  SALES SHEDDING  for the last six months...cost are rising and profit margins are dropping....it is NOT even a buyer's market....there is just no money around.. The recent floods up north has worsened the cash flow...monies are being sent home to their families hence not much spent here... I have more people entering my shop looking for financial assistance than clients. The circle is becoming vicious. Many local manufacturers will shut shop if this trend persists. Then of course the EFF  and  BLF  are causing upheavals and further destabilizing and derailing any hope of ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REVIVAL  with their STUPID AND INSANE BEHAVIOUR. Their actions are hurting the poor even more besides what GOVERNMENT has destroyed. I hope some SANITY will start prevailing soon ." - AE Sibda, proprietor, City Fashions, Benoni, Gauteng.

SLTC Convention Countdown: Just 7 weeks to go

The SLTC Convention will take place from May 17-19 at Green Leaves Country Lodge & Venue in the Magalies Mountains.
       7 speakers have been confirmed. They are:
- Ostrich tanning in a sustainable way, by Charl du Pisani of South Cape Ostrich Tanning.
- Stahl finishing, by Ahmed Naseer of Stahl Chemical.
- Coating in-line of both sides of the leather in automotive finishing, by Ing. Gianni Maitan and Matteo Sommaggio.
- State of the industry, by columnist Sam Setter.
- Leather finish with Eco Finish system using release paper, by Ing. Gianni Maitan and Matteo Sommaggio.
- Waste water management, by Werner Jansen van Rensburg of Rolfes Water.
- Plus finishing, by Ralph Schneider.
       To book, please contact SLTC secretary Nicola Phipps at nphipps@telkomsa.net.

Retirement

Durban, KZN, SA – SAFLEC finance and admin manager Louise Pelser retires at the end of May. Prenisha Dukhipersad takes over her position, and Sarah Thambiran has joined to take Prenisha's former position.

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 27/03: Hides & skins prices

Bovine: The average hide price over the past week rose slightly to R1.67/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies.

01/04/1969: Jenny Hopkins, agent, Port Elizabeth.
01/04/1973: Rennie Thambiran, Borage Trading, Pinetown.
02/04/1969: Chris Govender, Evoné, Pietermaritzburg.
02/04/1970: Gerhard Rossouw, CG Distributors, Paarl.
02/04/1974: Shaheen Hoosen, Kana’s Wholesalers, Pretoria.
03/04/1959: Grant Harris, emigrated, formerly Shoe Strip Services [closed], Pinetown.
03/04/1963: Bruce Wilson, Hotter SA, Cape Town.
03/04/1973: Brent Maron, Bolton Footwear, Cape Town.
03/04/1974: Kate Horne, Little Slipper Co., Port Elizabeth.
03/04/1973: Mahomed A Osman, Foam & Upholstery Centre, Pretoria.
04/04/1938: Colin Kemp, Chamberlain Phipps, Pinetown.
04/04/1962: Tammy Pillay, Edcon, Durban.
05/04/1964: Alastair Dean, emigrated, formerly Amber Footwear [closed], Pietermaritzburg.
05/04/1963: Lourenco Mendes, Shuler Enterprises, Harare.

In Memoriam this week

01/04/2001: John Rider, Colin D Bailey/BU Shoe Machinery, Pinetown.
01/04/2002: Paul Moeller (b. 20/07/1931), PMC Group, Cape Town.
04/04/2005: Graham Michel (b. 09/02/1958), agent, Cape Town.
06/04/1979: George Cowie, GW Cowie & Co, Durban.

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:

Angelsoft, Durban, KZN, SA: http://www.angelsoftshoes.com/
Anita Mode On Line, Antananarivo, Madagascar: https://www.facebook.com/anitamodeonline/

Classified Adverts

SAFLEC Junior Operations Administrator

Offices based in Westville. Own transport is vital. Salary: R10 000-R12 000 negotiable. Duties to manage the full planning, deliverance and outcome of projects aligned to the programmes, and submit monthly as well as annual reports to the Project steering committee. Looking for a degreed individual. 3 year contractual position. Call 031 266 1473 for more information. Only emailed CVs will be considered. Send to nerisha@saflec.co.za. Closing date: April 18, 2019

Sales position Western Cape

Footwear wholesaler seeks a representative for their well established ladies' brands in the Western Cape and surrounding areas. Please call Jason on 083 995 3268.

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: April 8, 2019.

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

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