S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.5 No.44, November 4, 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:
South Africa 32, England 12

Retail last week

Comment from 4 mini-chains this morning
"It was tough. The year so far has been tough." - Ahmed Patel, member, Fairworths Stores cc, Springs, Gauteng, SA. Mini-chain 5 stores, men's outfitter.

"We haven't been trading very well. There's too much product out there. Consumers have a lot of choice, and whoever offers lower prices gets the business. Also, the chains are opening more and more stores, pressuring smaller retailers. We haven't experienced conditions like this in a long time." - Arlindo Pereira, partner, Limited Edition, Cape Town, SA. Mini-chain, 6 stores, sport fashion.

"It was okay, but definitely not the same as last year. From the 8th of the month business drops off. The beginning of the month is fair, but the middle of the month is difficult." - Ricky Alan, member, MacGregor's, Kempton Park, Gauteng, SA. Mini-chain, 7 stores, men's outfitter and women's footwear.

"It was quite good. We haven't had a bad year, actually. There've been lots of hiccups, make no mistake, but we seem to have chosen a good direction for our stores. A bit more mature. We used to buy a lot of active wear, but there's so much competition in that area, and we can't compete against the big players." - Colin Frances, director, Madison's Menswear, Bloemfontein, Free State, SA. Mini-chain, 7 stores, men's outfitter.

Customs targeting CTFL, scrap metal and gold industries

Extracts from media release headlined 'Customs clamps down on illicit activities in the scrap metal industry'
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (October 31, 2019) – The owner of a Durban-based metal recycling company pleaded guilty last week to several charges relating to the exportation of mixed copper and brass scrap.
       Angelo Solimene, owner of Group Wreck, pleaded guilty on four counts relating to Section 54(1)(a) of the International Trade Administration Act, 71 of 2002, and Section 84 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.
       He was sentenced to a fine of R500 000, half of which was suspended for five years on condition the accused does not export any goods without the relevant permits. He has also paid R600 000 in order to obtain release of his goods from Customs.  The current goods are, however, not allowed to be exported.
       This follows an inspection by Customs in July this year of two containers, belonging to Group Wreck, which were being exported from the Durban harbour. The contents of the containers were declared as unrefined copper. However, upon inspection, they were found to contain mixed copper and brass scrap. The case was referred to the International Trade Administration Commission of SA (ITAC).
       Since February 2012, the Minister of Economic Development prescribed that copper scrap shall not be exported from the Republic of South Africa without a permit, and ITAC has not issued any permits since 2017.
       Earlier this year, SARS and the Department of Trade and Industry established an Inter-Agency working group to address illicit trade activities within the Clothing, Textile and Footwear Industry, the scrap metal Industry and the gold metal Industry.  The working group was formed to ensure that key Government departments work collectively to address the smuggling, under-valuation and fraud perpetrated across these specific industries.
       In light of these engagements and collaboration, various joint operational interventions are currently taking place targeting these industries. As a result, the detection of mis-declaration and under-declaration of weights has been identified in the scrap metal industry.
       The scrap metal industry is a multi-billion rand industry and contributes an estimated R15 billion annually to South Africa’s gross domestic product. In 2017, a scrap metal company lost a case in the Constitutional Court to challenge the State’s scrap metal export provisions, known as the price preference system, as well as ITAC's decision to refuse to issue export permits to the company, in accordance with the price preference system. This followed almost four years of litigation over the lawfulness of the price preference system.
       In terms of copper scrap, large volumes of copper and copper alloys have been exported from South Africa at high prices due to huge demand from certain countries. This was having a negative effect on the local copper industry and the drive to obtain copper was fuelling the theft of copper cable, causing billions of rands in damages. The mass exportation of scrap copper was also negatively impacting the local industry, which was leading to lower production volumes and unemployment – hence the recent tightening of regulations relating to the export of copper from South Africa. - sarsmedia@sars.gov.za

Nike sells Hurley to Bluestar Alliance

Beaverton, Ore., U.S. (October 29, 2019) – Nike Inc. announced today it has reached a definitive agreement to sell the Hurley brand to Bluestar Alliance LLC. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed and it is expected to be complete in December.
       “We appreciate how Bob and the Hurley team have built Hurley into the world’s most innovative surf brand,” said Michael Spillane, President of Categories and Product, NIKE, Inc. “As we drive increasingly more targeted investment and focused growth through Nike’s Consumer Direct Offense, this change in ownership will allow sharper focus and intentional investment in Hurley’s growth potential.”
       “We have always admired the Hurley brand as it has maintained its leadership role and premium positioning in the surf world,” stated Joey Gabbay, CEO of Bluestar Alliance. “This is a transformative acquisition for Bluestar as Hurley’s international footprint will enhance Bluestar’s reach around the world. We look forward to building upon the existing Hurley network and expanding to additional countries with the deep relationships that already exist within the Bluestar portfolio of brands. We see Hurley continuing to evolve into a 360-degree lifestyle brand, with action sports playing a key role.”
       Hurley is distributed in SA by Bounty Brands.

They Said It

"Springbok eats Lion." - Headline in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph. They're a class apart, those UK headline writers.

"I’m not sure I should risk sending an updated picture.  I have a new phone and I’m worried it might crack." - Karen Vandenheede, of mould maker Galabiss, after being asked to send a photo of husband (and boss, sort of) Fernand.

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 29/10: Hides & skins prices

The current price is 7.7% lower than prices were a month ago and the current hide price is 65.9% lower than prices were a year ago. Unfortunately the hide situation continues to remain very much stagnant. Abundant supplies continue to weigh down the global and local market. Prices remain weak locally and globally. Prices could potentially decline further during the festive holidays, seasonally this is a tough period with the automotive industry closing for holidays. The price for dorper skins remained unchanged at R23.33/skin and the price of merino skins decreased by 2.1% to R38.19/skin this week. Compared to a year ago the price of dorper skins is 26.3% lower and the price of merino skins is 55.54% lower. - 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.

04/11/1962: Philip A Carstens, Carstens’ Orthotic Laboratories, Durbanville.
05/11/1988: Jacques van As, Le Croc, Brits.
06/11/1950: Idris Kajee, Favourite Sports, Newcastle.
07/11/1945: Garth Ribbinck, A Greenaways Natal, Durban.
07/11/1966: Leslie Govender, Godvast, Durban.
07/11/1971: Ajay Singh, United Agencies, Durban.
08/11/1959: Ashmore Matemera, DyStar Boehme Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
08/11/1967: ISW Smit, Clarens Curio, Clarens.
08/11/1974: Louis de Sousa, Price Rite, Welkom.
09/11/1938: Johnny Makrides, Intershu Distributors, Johannesburg.
09/11/1963: Sanjay Pattundeen, Caprini Footwear, Durban.
09/11/1972: Chrisi Janse van Vuuren, Chrisi Artwear, Harrismith.
09/11/1977: Darrell Naidoo, Sidekicks, Alberton.
10/11/1961: Granville Steyn, DyStar Boehme Africa, Pietermaritzburg.

In Memoriam this week

04/11/1998: Roy Schefermann, Futura Footwear.
05/11/1998: Bob Gould, SB Agencies [closed], Pinetown.
05/11/2013: Brian de Bruin (b. 26/09/1941), DB Components, Durban.
05/11/2016: Byron Ludlow (b. 29/03/1951), Michelle Footwear, Durban.
07/11/2004: Ralph Mossop (b. 04/12/1913), Mossop & Son (now Mossop Western Leathers), Cape Town.
08/11/1993: Roy Lagerwall, Saxian Trading, Johannesburg.
09/11/2004: Trevor Rink (b. 15/08/1947), Cuthberts/Boyman’s [both closed], Johannesburg.
10/11/2013: Barry Nash (b. 06/09/1952), King Tanning [closed], and Buckman, Port Shepstone.

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:
Bilimoria Fishing Tackle, East London, E Cape, SA. Fishing equipment specialists.
Billabong SA, Jeffrey's Bay, E Cape, SA. Surf wear specialist.

Job Opportunity

Leading South African leather company looking to employ a sales representative in KZN.
  Experience in the leather industry, along with the ability to work well in a team environment would be beneficial.

  Please send CV to gabbi@africangameskin.co.za

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: November 11, 2019.

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

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