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S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.5 No.15, April 15, 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
"School uniforms and shoes remain a major part of our business, but we've moved out of fashion - in clothing, we changed to corporate wear, and then to align our footwear with our clothing, we changed to better end, mostly local comfort footwear brands like Froggie, Young Klinik and Green Cross. We're now into our second season with those, and hopefully they'll work for us. Although there are so many government workers here in the Pretoria CBD, conditions have changed. The environment has declined drastically in the last couple of years. It's very dirty, and there has also been a steep rise in petty crime. This is a family business which has been trading in the CBD as Mary's Fashion since 1972, and in this particular store, as Capital Fashions, since 1983, so we know the criminals, and they're complaining that their 'business' is suffering, but they intimidate the managers of chain stores in the area. Also, it's difficult competing with imported footwear, which is why we moved out of fashion." - Anas Docrat, partner, Capital Fashions and Mary's Fashions, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 2 stores.

"It's been up and down - average, to say the least. It's the middle of the month, so we've had some lay-by sales, but it's clear people are short of money. We sell mostly luxury items - imported Italian shoes which retail for R3 800 to R12 000 per pair. There are still people who can afford them, but people are feeling the pinch. Some of our lines are down 50 to 60%, and we've reduced our imports. Since 2016, business has been declining, and we've had to consolidate. We're close to the University of Johannesburg, so we've supplemented our normal range with takkies from Urban Art, which has helped. My view is that the businesses that survive now will be very strong when the economy turns." - Joe Pita, proprietor, Casa di Arbiter, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Independent and online mostly formal men's leather footwear.

"Nothing to shout about. It's not what we expect April to be like with the run up to Easter. Usually this is a busy period. January was quiet aside from back to school, February was quiet as usual, March was better, but April, so far, has been disappointing." - Yusoof Casoojee, proprietor, Casoojee's, Nigel, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's and women's up-market outfitter.

"Nothing to write home about. Things have been a bit quiet for the year so far, but we're carrying on - we're not down about it." - Suliman Mahomed, proprietor, Cassim's Cash Store, Warrenton, N Cape, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's outfitter.

"It's been quieter than expected this week, but the year as a whole has been OK. People are still getting married and graduating and attending functions, and we sell mostly formal shoes and clothing." - Zarina Dawjee, member, Cassim's The Man's Shop, Port Shepstone, KZN, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's up-market outfitter.

 

 

Wage negotiations: General Goods

Cape Town, W Cape, SA – At the first round of negotiations in the General Goods & Handbags sector last week, the employers offered a 5.3% wage increase, which was rejected by the unions, according to Gerald Naidoo, general secretary of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry. The employers have gone back to their members for a new mandate before the second round on May 6 and 7.
       The Footwear sector meets for its first round in Durban today and tomorrow, and the Tanning sector on April 29 and 30 in Port Elizabeth.

 

Sale of Celrose, Eddels 'awaiting ruling'

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – The purchase of clothing manufacturer Celrose, in Tongaat, and its footwear manufacturing subsidiary, Eddels, in Pietermaritzburg, by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), from Edcon, "is not concluded yet", according to IDC divisional executive for corporate affairs, Zama Luthuli.
       She said last week that "the parties involved have made an application to the Competition Commission for the transaction and are waiting for the Competition Commission Tribunal to rule on the application.  We are therefore not at liberty at this stage to disclose any information that may compromise this process before a formal ruling."

 

 

Appointment

Group head of marketing at Bolton Footwear, Stuart Hopwood, has been promoted to group sales and creative executive at the company. His new role will include group sales, marketing as well as design, range building and footwear importing.

 

They Said It

"Well HE thinks he deserves it." - Claw Boot director Mark Fraser on his father, Grant, disappearing on an annual 2-week fishing trip somewhere on the Namibian coast with very poor cell phone reception. In his absence, his daughter had to have urgent surgery and several key staff members went off sick, leaving Mark and his mother, Jill, "running round in circles". He did qualify it by saying the problems arose after Grant had left and yes, his father had worked very hard for a lot of years.

"Anything else you want me to do, I’m game. I’ll sing, dance and hand out pamphlets - might chase away the delegates though." - Mimosa Extract Co. leather technologist Matthew Dunning, who takes his duties as an SLTC committee member very seriously. When asked if his father, Nigel, who is Mimosa's business manager, would be attending, he replied: "No, he'll be in the middle of Colombia or El Salvador or somewhere like that." Clearly, marketing wattle extract is not for the faint-hearted.

"A Russian queen is a Tsarina, but I'm Zarina." - Zarina Dawjee, member, Cassim's The Man's Shop in Port Shepstone, and no doubt very regal.

 

 

SLTC Convention Countdown: Just 5 weeks to go

CONVENTION 2019 PROGRAMME.
FRIDAY 17th MAY 2019
16:30 - 17:30 Check-in and Registration
19:00 Cocktail Party in the Bar
SATURDAY 18th MAY 2019
07:00 - 8:45 Breakfast
08:40 - 8:55 LATE REGISTRATION
08:55 - 09:00 Mr B. Jonsson - President’s welcome
09:00 - 09:35 Charl Du Pisani Ostrich tanning in a sustainable way
09:35 - 10:10 Eduardo Krohn Augusto STAHL finishing
10:10-10:30 TEA
10:30 - 11:05 Ing. Gianni Maitan and Matteo Sommaggio Coating In – Line of both sides of the leather in automotive Finishing
11:05 - 11:40 Sam setter Loving leather again -Rights and wrongs of our industry.
11:40 - 12:15 Barnini - Lorenzo Simoni Spray machine and drying technology
12:15 – 13:20 LUNCH
13 :20 - 13:55 Ing. Gianni Maitan and Matteo Sommaggio Leather finish with ECO FINISH system using release paper.
13:55 - 14:30 ROLFES Water - Werner Jansen Van Rensberg Waste water management
14:30 - 15:05 Ralph Schneider PLUS finishing
15:05 - 15:40 Christine Powley Williams Current situation of our industry
15:40 - 15:55 TEA
15:55 - 16:30 S.L.T.C (SA Section) Annual General Meeting.
18:30 - 19:30 Gala Dinner - Pre-Dinner drinks
19:30 till Late. Gala Dinner
SUNDAY 19th MAY 2018
Breakfast: 8:00 until 10:00 and check out.

       The convention will take place from May 17-19 at Green Leaves Country Lodge & Venue in the Magalies Mountains.
       To book, please contact SLTC secretary Nicola Phipps at nphipps@telkomsa.net.

 

S&V Directory - Order now

The directory is ready. On sale for R450. The online version is also 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/

 
  Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥
05/01/2019 R15.94 R17.79 R13.99 R2.03
12/01/2019 R15.86 R17.76 R13.83 R2.04
19/01/2019 R15.76 R17.85 R13.87 R2.04
26/01/2019 R15.52 R17.97 R13.60 R2.01
02/02/2019 R15.26 R17.42 R13.32 R1.97
09/02/2019 R15.46 R17.66 R13.65 R2.02
16/02/2019 R15.90 R18.15 R14.09 R2.08
23/02/2019 R15.90 R18.32 R14.04 R2.09
02/03/2019 R16.17 R18.77 R14.22 R2.12
09/03/2019 R16.22 R18.79 R14.43 R2.14
16/03/2019 R16.31 R19.15 R14.40 R2.14
25/03/2019 R16.31 R19.02 R14.42 R2.14
30/03/2019 R16.26 R18.90 R14.49 R2.15
06/04/2019 R15.80 R18.36 R14.09 R2.09
13/04/2019 R15.76 R18.24 R13.95 R2.08
Note: For previous rates, see HERE

 

 

 

ABSA Agri Trends 10/04: Hides & skins prices

Bovine: The average hide price over the past week rose slightly to R1.68/kg green. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies.
 

Hide & skin price progression
Date Hides/Kg Dorper/Skin Merino Skin
18/01 3.94 33.75 81.67
25/01 2.89 31.11 92.78
01/02 2.83 30.63 87.50
05/02 2.53    
13/02 2.95    
15/02 2.95 25.83 62.01
19/02 2.01    
22/02 2.00 31.88 49.21
26/02 2.04    
01/03 2.04 30.00 45.21
14/03 1.63    
20/03 1.60    
27/03 1.67    
For previous prices, see HERE

 

  

15/04/1971: Jacques Ergas, Red Planet Shoes, Cape Town.
16/04/1952: Russell Lochner, agent, Johannesburg.
17/04/1948: Graham Althorpe, agent, East London.
17/04/1948: William James Mail, Norton Wellworth Agencies, Johannesburg.
17/04/1957: Colin Battle, agent, Port Elizabeth.
18/04/1976: Neelan Parumaul, Melton Adhesives, New Germany.
19/04/1946: Mike Pengelly, Trailmix Trading, Durban.
19/04/19??: Chris Beedle, Freestone Global Trade, Johannesburg.
20/04/1948: Michael Hoffmann, Max-Cowell, Port Elizabeth.
20/04/1954: Barry Clayton, Shoe City, Port Elizabeth.
20/04/1957: Johnny Kleynhans, ConsulTan, Bulawayo.
20/04/1960: Glen Mitchell, Shoprite Checkers, Cape Town.
20/04/1963: Angie Tootla, The Rose Lady, KwaDukuza/Stanger.
21/04/1959: Jirka Vymetal, SAFLIA, Durban.
21/04/1972: Stanton Pullen, reportedly working in Japan.

 

In Memoriam this week

20/04/2015: Moira Pascall, Economic Shoe Store, Paarl.
21/04/2012: MG Moodley (b. 08/04/1922), MG Shoes/Ballucci Footwear [both 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.

 


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




  

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: April 22, 2019.

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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