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S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.5 No.18, May 13, 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

Comment from 5 retailers on Saturday
"This week has improved a bit, even though we lost a day's trading on Wednesday. The year so far has been poor, but it appears that the on-off strikes on the mines since last year are now over, which is very good news for us." - Suliman Saloojee, proprietor, Chommie's Outfitters/Balatino's/Jomo's, Westonaria, Gauteng, SA. Mini-chain, 5 stores, men's outfitter.

"It was a bit quiet this week, although the month so far has been fair. The basic stuff has been going quite well." - Shiraaz Mahomed, proprietor, Ebbies Fashion House, Kimberley, N Cape, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's outfitter.

"It hasn't been very good - there's still no direction, and consumers are buying smaller ticket items. Footwear is doing better than clothing. We lost a day with the election, although the foreigners in our area were open and they said there had been trade." - Abdul Rehman Dajee, member, City Outfitters, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 4 stores, men's outfitter.

"It's been a quiet week. We were open on election day, but there wasn't much business. We were busy on Friday, but today has been quiet again. April started off quiet well but then slowed down with all the protests in this area." - Suhail Amod, member, Club 10, Durban, KZN, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's outfitter.

"Thursday and Friday were busy, though not as busy as Thursday and Friday the week before. I looked in my diary and I saw that it was busy during the same weeks last year. Today, however, has been quiet." - Hilton Loewenstein, MD, Comfort Shoe Store, Nigel, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 1 store, comfort specialist, predominantly women's footwear.

 

 

Competition Tribunal accepts Competition Commission's recommendation

Tribunal approves Edgars transaction, with conditions

OUTCOME OF CASES HEARD BY THE TRIBUNAL ON 9 MAY 2019
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – The Competition Tribunal has approved the large merger whereby a new company, registered as K2019216440 (South Africa) Limited, will purchase the entire issued shares of Edgars Consolidated Stores Limited (ECSL).
       The Edcon Group (ECSL, Edcon Limited and all their subsidiaries) is in financial distress and at risk of being forced into business rescue or insolvency proceedings. The merger is intended to achieve a restructuring and recapitalisation of the debt and equity structure of Edcon Limited. This, to provide a stable platform for the planned turnaround of the Edcon Group.
       The transaction has been approved with conditions. These relate to ECSL and Edcon Limited’s commitment to fostering and developing a more competitive production environment in South Africa. This involves increasing local procurement, BEE participation (replacing the Edcon Staff Empowerment Trust to safeguard the rights and interests of beneficiaries) and ensuring that there are no job losses as a result of the merger.
       Recently, Edcon’s shareholding in Celrose was acquired by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). This transaction also included the imposition of local procurement conditions.

 

 

UGGly fine for using Ugg brand

According to an Australian Associated Press report on Saturday, an Australian ugg boot-maker has been fined US$450 000 by a court in the U.S. for using the word 'ugg' as a brand in online sales to American customers.
       The report said 'ugg' was a generic Australian term coined by Australian surfers in the 1960s, but it was registered as a brand by U.S.-based Deckers Brands in 1995. Deckers also owns the Hoka One One, Teva and Sanuk brands.
       Eddie Oygur, owner of Australian Leather, had argued that as a "generic Australian term", Ugg should not have been trademarked.
       Aside from the fine, the report said he potentially faced "million more" in legal costs. His lawyer said he expected the Australian Government to assist Australian Leather in its appeal against the verdict.

 

 

Shoe horns

In response to our query last week about shoe horns, we had 4 responses:
- Arena Trims in Pinetown manufactures plastic shoe horns.
- Crouch Footwear in Pietermaritzburg imports plastic shoe horns.
- Shoe & Footcare Suppliers in Cape Town imports metal and plastic shoe horns.
- Component Wholesalers in Durban stocks shoe horns.

 

Closures

Cape Town, W Cape, SA Men's outfitter Jake's Clothing closed its Howard Centre outlet in April, according to centre management.

Durban, KZN, SA Men's outfitter Playboy Too informed S&V it would be closing.

 

 

They Said It

"Dear Editor
I have a pair of Doc Martins.  There are two reasons for owning Doc Martins:
1. to kick the head in of someone who likes a musical genre other than my own; or they be a Wimbledon FC supporter.
2. to brag that you have Doc Martins.
I cannot brag.  Someone polishing my shoes decided that the yellow stitching connecting the upper to the sole should be black - it needs to be yellow.  I want my yellow side to show.  Can you, or any of your illustrious footwear industry insiders, provide an idea as to how I may be able to reveal my yellow fetish?"
- This query comes from Mark Bennett, my colleague who publishes The African Cotton, Textiles & Apparel Monitor. Does anyone have any suggestions? The offending polish is Kiwi wax black.

 

 

SLTC Convention Countdown: It starts on Friday!

As of last Wednesday, SLTC secretary Nicola Phipps was waiting for confirmation from tanneries in Brits and Krugersdorp, on the convention's doorstep. Aside from them, 8 local tanneries had registered, which is up on last year, and 2 tanneries from neighbouring states - Zimbabwe and Zambia - have registered. In addition, there are 7 overseas visitors, from The Netherlands, Italy, Germany and the UK, again up on last year.
       This is an appeal to tanneries which haven't yet registered to do so, to make this the really meaningful event it deserves to be.
       The committee is also appealing for a little extra sponsorship - R6 000 - to offset last year's loss.
       There will be 10 papers on Saturday, covering technical issues, global attitudes to the leather industry, and government interventions in the industry. There is also a full social calendar on Friday and Saturday nights for delegates, and during the day on Saturday for partners.

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
20/04/2019 R15.86 R18.33 R14.10 R2.10
27/04/2019 R16.03 R18.56 R14.37 R2.13
04/05/2019 R16.08 R18.88 R14.34 R2.13
11/05/2019 R15.91 R18.40 R14.16 R2.07
Note: For previous rates, see HERE

 

 

 

ABSA Agri Trends 03/05: Hides & skins prices

Domestic hide prices declined by 6.2% compared to last week's price of R1.82/kg. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. Dorper skins traded up by 3% week-on- week; prices are up by 17.2% compared to last year.

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    
10/04 1.68    
24/04 1.78    
26/04 1.49 32.50  
03/05 1.82    
For previous prices, see HERE
 

  

13/05/1934: Dennis Linde, retired, formerly SAFLIA, Pinetown.
13/05/1980: Hayley Mitchell, Silkworm, Johannesburg.
13/05:19??: Carol Roberts, Trailmix Trading.
14/05/1950: Phillip Fox, Jumbo Footwear, East London.
14/05/1952: Eric Majoor, St Tropez, Durban.
14/05/1952: Devan Sukool, Devan's Footwear Agency, Durban.
15/05/1941: Pieter van Niekerk, retired, formerly Midland Leather KZN (Gringo), Port Shepstone.
15/05/1974: Brett Isaacs, BMI Agencies, Johannesburg.
17/05/1951: Andre Otto, retired, formerly Bata, Pinetown.
18/05/1949: Mike Wakeling, retired, formerly agent, Johannesburg.
18/05/1969: Andrew Lofthouse, Leather Systems, Port Elizabeth.
18/05/1974: Rudolph de L Volschenk, Leo D’ Mar, George.
19/05/1965: Pierre van Niekerk, left the industry, formerly Midland Leather KZN (Gringo), Port Shepstone.
19/05/1970: Chalkie Harrower, C&B Harrower Agencies, Johannesburg.

 

In Memoriam this week

14/05/2010: Peter Edginton (b. 19/11/1949), Front Edge Technologies, Johannesburg.
15/05/2010: Louis Conradie (b. 26/06/1935), Conloo Joinery, Welkom.
17/05/2002: Johan Wilken (b. 1/11/1925), Klein Karoo Co-op, Oudtshoorn.
19/05/2009: Robbie Trench (b. 28/03/1945), Panama Shoes, RPM Footwear (both closed), 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.

 

Have a look at these 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:
Research Unit South Africa, leather goods manufacturer, Cape Town, W Cape, SA: https://www.researchunitstudio.com/
Asics SA, sportswear and leisurewear distributor, Cape Town, W Cape, SA: http://www.asics.co.za/

 


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Contact us

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

Next newsletter: May 20, 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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