S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.5 No.41, October 14, 2019

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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

Good news last week

Tracking SA's recovery in the headlines:
"The Guptas can kiss their financial ambitions goodbye." - From The Daily Maverick.

Retail last week

Comment from 4 retailers on Saturday
"This week has been fair, and the month so far has been not so bad. The change of season hasn't really made a difference. For December? We have to be optimistic." - Abie Asmal, IA Warehouse/Mr I Casual, Springs, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 2 stores, men's outfitter.

"Very negative. There hasn't been any festive mood so far. People come into the store, they like the styles, they like the quality, but they don't have the money to buy. This area has been affected by the closure of coal mines and the drop off in tourism. The tourism side was important - we had busloads of overseas visitors coming to the battlefields, but that has dropped off with the security fears about coming to South Africa. We also have a lot of foreigners in the main street, so we've gone more exclusive." - Bhavna 'Barbara' Morar, Impressions, Dundee, KZN, SA. Independent, 1 store, men's and women's outfitter.

"Winter was difficult, and we have a far more serious carryover. The year so far hasn't been positive. We have, however, been very successful with our own brands of footwear and clothing. The footwear, under the brand Decent- Women, is all designed by my wife and imported from Turkey, and it offers a slightly better price, which makes us more relevant, and you have to be relevant to survive. The downside of the imported product is that you have to put the money down, and that can be difficult. The one constant about the festive season is the various functions, and we have stocked up with a lot of festive apparel, which we're putting a lot of hope on. You have to be positive if you want to be a retailer." - Cees van Velze, member, In-Decent Fashion Emporium, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 2 stores, women's boutique.

"It's been quiet, but the change of season is making a difference." - Nonnie Mizibuko, sales person, Intrigue, Centurion, Gauteng, SA. Independent, 1 store, women's boutique.

G. Fox buys Industrial Safety Products

Port Elizabeth, E Cape, SA – Bidvest subsidiary G. Fox bought PE-based personal protective equipment (PPE) distributor Industrial Safety Products with effect from September 1.
       Former ISP MD Mark Schewitz has stayed on with the group as glove country manager. Stephen Krain is branch GM of G. Fox Port Elizabeth.

Closing

Steps Shoes cc
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – Steps Shoes member Gerrie Botha has confirmed her shop will close at the end of October. She explains:
       "Yes we are closing down our business at the end of October 2019. We have been in business since 2000.
       "The reasons are age and illness. My husband, Tol, is 84, and has heart problems, and the person who has worked for me for the past 11 years has had 2 stomach  operations. Since last year it has been quite hectic for me.
           "It is actually a pity to close down such a good business and we had so many wonderful customers over the years. We became good friends and I wish I could inspire other early retired people to do the same.  It was a good investment for our 2nd retirement and now we can have a break for the next few years until death do us part.
       "I am also an artist and will probably go on with that....or perhaps continue with Amway? 
       "But, first I have to close down the shop successfully.
       "I would have liked to sell my business but there are a lot of uncertainties  in the economy as well as politically but I am very happy with the result of my closing down sales which were very successful. People miss good shoes in the shops, the PU thing being more cheap and China killed the leather market in SA.
       "But I realise there is a time to come and a time to go. We had a wonderful business for the past 20 years."

City Fashions
Benoni, Gauteng, SA – Ahmed Sibda of City Fashions has announced he is closing. He writes:
"It is with great regret that I have to announce  'cometh the day'. After nearly 15 years in wholesale  and  35 years in retail  I am shutting shop.
       "The ECONOMY is just not improving....a continuous  DOWNWARD SPIRAL...The worst SEPTEMBER in all my years. ..NOW I AM SUPPORTING MY LANDLORD.  ..PAYING HIS MONTHLY  RETIREMENT ANNUITY.
       "I Have lots of PRIME STOCK TO GIVE AWAY at ludicrously well below FACTORY prices....
       "They  can  contact  me  0844778666  or  0114217463...
       "Government indecisions  about the ECONOMY is resulting in a further six people  who will be JOBLESS..."

News from the Competition Commission

Forever New South Africa (Pty) Ltd (FNSA) v Forever New (Pty) Ltd (FN)

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – The Commission has unconditionally approved the proposed merger whereby FNSA intends to acquire FN.
       FNSA is involved, through its subsidiaries, in the retail market of the fashion industry and related industries (including warehousing and logistics services) in various countries, including South Africa. FNSA’s only operations in South Africa are through FN, the primary target firm.
       FN is involved in the retail market for clothing, footwear and accessories under the brand “Forever New” through its retail outlets in South Africa as well as through Edgars retail stores and by way of online sales.
       The Commission found that the proposed transaction is unlikely to result in a substantial prevention or lessening of competition in any relevant markets. The Commission further found that the proposed transaction does not raise any public interest concerns.

Milestone

Durban, KZN, SA – Daya & Sons, tailors and outfitters in Ismail C Meer St, will mark their 50th anniversary in November, director Hetesh Daya says.

Changes

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Rob Black, former Makro merchandise manager for clothing & footwear, has retired. His replacement is former fashion accessories buyer Karen Dorasami Mohan.
       The new fashion accessories buyer joins on November 7 and has not been named.

 Durban, KZN, SA – After 47 years of loyal and faithful service in the Johannesburg area, agent Reg Hattingh has retired. Reg represented Rockshoes from 1973 until 2004 and then continued to represent Trail Mix Trading until 30th September this year. Reg has been an incredible agent and one of the most honest and hard working people we have had the privilege of working with. He has played a huge part in the success of our business and we will be eternally grateful for his service and friendship. Reg has handed the agency over to Bevin Horwitz, who lives in Pretoria and has also been our agent for many years. Mike and Brett Pengelly, together with Fayzal and all the staff at Trail Mix would like to wish our Reggie a well earned rest and happy retirement.

Cobblers' 2019 luncheon

Cape Town, W Cape, SA – The annual Cobblers' Luncheon will be held at the Goodwood Sports Club on Saturday, November 16, starting at 12 for 12.30. Tickets are R150 per head. Please RSVP Tracy, info@lopezleathers.co.za, no later than October 31.

They Said It

"And by the way, I don't get paid. That's the downside of working for my husband." - Bhavna Morar, Impressions, in Dundee. She also answers to 'Barbara', "because people find that easier". And a more friendly soul you couldn't find.

"He is 84 and I am 76 years. On paper it looks very, very old, but thankfully I don't feel that old yet!" - Steps Shoes member Gerrie Botha.

"For my sins, I have retired and you can find me on the 19th hole..." - The message you get if you email Rob Black, formerly of Makro.

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/

ABSA Agri Trends 08/10: Hides & skins prices

Bovine hides: R1.86/kkg. Sheepskins: Dorper: 23.33/skin. - Wessel Lemmer, senior agricultural economist, Absa Group. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies..

14/10/1947: Rodney Bryant, A Greenaways, Cape Town.
14/10/1963: Siraaj Ahmed Hassim, Classic Hawkers Centre, Laudium.
14/10/1964: Shirleen Joubert, Edcon, Durban.
15/10/1949: Marianne McCulloch, retired, formerly Bolton Footwear, Oudtshoorn plant.
15/10/1956: Joseph Chiang, Sogo Trading, Bellville.
15/10/1967: Mohammed Reyaz Moosa, Selrite Fashions, Kempton Park.
15/10/1975: Debbie Ditchfield, machinery agent, Hillcrest.
15/10/1992: Umesan Gopal, Chillisource, Durban.
15/10/19??: Corrie Jurkewitz, Shoes & More, Gansbaai.
16/10/1946: Hannes Harding, FC&T Supplies, Pretoria.
17/10/1968: Mehmood (Joe) Mohamed, Rodrigo Footwear, Durban.
17/10/1984: SS Moosa, Shu-Tique Wholesalers, Pretoria.
18/10/1967: Chetan Jeram, Concept Distributors, Pretoria.
19/10/1966: Elize Strauss, Shoe ‘n Do, Reitz.
19/10/19??: Tony Jelinski, retired, formerly Everflex, Pinetown.
19/10/1944: Peter Manley, Secure & Safe Supplies, Durban.
19/10/1965: Björn Jönsson, Lanxess SA, Johannesburg.
20/10/1943: Daya Kisten Pillay, Topline Manufacturers, Durban.
20/10/1946: Steve Bassingthwaighte, retired, formerly agent, Cape Town.
20/10/1955: Dave McDonald, Labora Shoes, Durban.
20/10/1957: Steve Dai, Bruce & Jason Trading, Cape Town.
20/10/1961: Stefan van As, Le Croc, Brits.

In Memoriam this week

15/10/????: Walter William ‘Wally’ Ballard (b. 28/11/1948), Reptile Trading Co, Cape Town.
15/10/2016: Des de Wet (b. 03/12/1940), agent, Amanzimtoti.
17/10/2005: Barney Dodo (b. 11/04/1914), Edworks group, Johannesburg.
18/10/2000: Manuel da Costa (b. 13/09/1930), the Superior Footwear Group, Harare.
18/10/2016: Lenny Jacobs (b. 27/07/1946), Lenny Jacobs Sales, Johannesburg.
19/10/2000: Bill Beckley, (b. 20/07/1927), agent, East London.

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:
Bianca Warren, local designer, Durban, KZN, SA. Women's clothing and bag designer.
Bidvest Afcom, packaging and fastening equipment, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Family footwear.

Classified Adverts

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: October 21, 2019.

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