S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.40, Oct 5, 2020
This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA
Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website
Retail
Botswana
Much better, but still behind last year
Vision Sports, sport and lifestyle, 9 stores
Gaborone – Trading is "much better now than before the lockdown," director Rajeev 'Rocky' Kumar said, "but it's still nowhere near as good as it was last year. We're surviving, not thriving."
He said a major problem was that Covid regulations had hurt shopping as entertainment. "Some customers now only come shopping if they really need something specific," he said, "not for pleasure."
He said the regulations might well prevent Black Friday reaching the same heights as previous years because of the difficulty of controlling numbers. However, he has mixed feelings about Black Friday: "To my mind, it's not a good thing," he said. "It hurts trade in October - because people wait - and in December - because they've spent their budget."
Namibia
Upsurge in trade
Champion Fashions, family outfitter, 9 stores.
Walvis Bay – Trading has improved considerably, proprietor Engela Rabald said. "Unlike Windhoek, which is always busy, Walvis has periods when it's busy, and at other times when it's quiet. But trade recently has been good, and we can make a living."
She said the Dunes Mall, which opened in 2017 with a tenant list which is a who's who of South African chains and no Namibian-owned apparel stores, had initially affected the Walvis CBD. "But it hasn't been very successful," she said. "Customers are coming back to town."
She said she expected "a very good Festive Season".
South Africa
AVI merges Green Cross into Spitz
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – AVI Ltd has merged Green Cross into its Spitz Group, headed by Spitz senior management, AVI CEO Simon Crutchley said this morning, in response to a query from S&V.
Some Green Cross stores have been renamed GX & Co., and carry international comfort brands as well as Green Cross-branded footwear. The other stores remain as Green Cross, carrying only Green Cross-branded footwear.
"Much of the product is still branded Green Cross, including all school shoe ranges," he wrote.
He said the Green Cross wholesale division remained.
No new store openings for Spitz, Green Cross or GX & Co. are planned for the rest of the year.
Returning to some sort of normal
M3 Enterprises, PPE, work wear and corporate gift distributor, 1 store.
Springs, Gauteng, SA – Trading has been tough, but the mix of products being bought is returning to pre-pandemic conditions, Matthew Carlson, proprietor of M3 Enterprises said.
"People had to find the money to buy products like sanitisers and masks," he said, "so other products suffered, but the buying pattern is more normal now."
He said M3 made face shields, but otherwise stuck to its normal business model, "being as close as possible to the source". He said he hadn't imported directly. "I'm loyal to the suppliers who've looked after me," he said.
'Worst ever trading'
Lucky Store, family outfitter, 1 store.
Benoni, Gauteng, SA – Trade was "the worst in history", proprietor Mahomed Sibda said.
"Sometimes I think I should just close the shop and go on holiday," he said. "It would be cheaper. Fortunately, my rent is very low."
Lucky, in Actonville, stocks mainly low-priced, unbranded Chinese merchandise, and he said it hadn't been targeted by armed gangs which had robbed 2 other branded retailers in Actonville, taking high-priced, branded merchandise. He said 1 of the retailers had been robbed twice.
He said consumers were cash strapped, but still wanted good product.
They Said It
"Hi Conscience. I have been unaware of you lately." - Smart Alec comeback by Afro-Thai Imports' Morné Howell. Because he hadn't responded to my messages, I sent him a WhatsApp message saying "This is your conscience..."
"Huh? Ohhhh yes..."" - The response from the person at the Vodacom repair shop when I said there was a Catch-22 in their system. You hand in your phone. They let you know by SMS when it's ready. Can you see the problem?
Got anything you'd like to share?
Do you have any suggestions, comments or experiences about the lockdown that you'd like to share with the industry? We will publish the throughout the lockdown, so please let us know. - tony@svmag.co.za
Exchange rates
1. SA Rand (ZAR)
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 2020/01/04 |
R15.97 |
R18.71 |
R14.31 |
R2.05 |
| 2020/01/11 |
R15.97 |
R18.76 |
R14.36 |
R2.07 |
| 2020/01/18 |
R16.04 |
R14.47 |
R14.47 |
R2.10 |
| 2020/01/25 |
R15.87 |
R18.82 |
R14.39 |
R2.07 |
| 2020/02/01 |
R16.54 |
R19.81 |
R15.00 |
R2.16 |
| 2020/02/08 |
R16.48 |
R19.41 |
R15.06 |
R2.15 |
| 2020/02/17 |
R16.16 |
R19.44 |
R14.90 |
R2.13 |
| 2020/02/22 |
R16.27 |
R19.43 |
R15.00 |
R2.13 |
| 2020/02/29 |
R17.27 |
R20.08 |
R15.66 |
R2.24 |
| 2020/03/07 |
R17.69 |
R20.44 |
R15.67 |
R2.26 |
| 2020/03/14 |
R18.04 |
R19.94 |
R16.25 |
R2.32 |
| 2020/03/21 |
R18.92 |
R20.50 |
R17.60 |
R2.48 |
| 2020/03/28 |
R19.63 |
R21.93 |
R17.61 |
R2.48 |
| 2020/04/04 |
R20.58 |
R23.37 |
R19.03 |
R2.68 |
| 2020/04/11 |
R19.70 |
R22.43 |
R18.01 |
R2.56 |
| 2020/04/18 |
R20.43 |
R23.49 |
R18.79 |
R2.65 |
| 2020/04/25 |
R20.59 |
R23.53 |
R19.02 |
R2.68 |
| 2020/04/30 |
R20.24 |
R23.27 |
R18.51 |
R2.62 |
| 2020/05/09 |
R19.89 |
R22.69 |
R18.29 |
R2.58 |
| 2020/05/16 |
R20.11 |
R22.49 |
R18.58 |
R2.61 |
| 2020/05/23 |
R19.24 |
R21.47 |
R17.64 |
R2.47 |
| 2020/05/30 |
R19.48 |
R21.67 |
R17.54 |
R2.45 |
| 2020/06/06 |
R18.93 |
R21.28 |
R16.77 |
R2.37 |
| 2020/06/13 |
R19.19 |
R21.39 |
R17.06 |
R2.40 |
| 2020/06/20 |
R19.37 |
R21.28 |
R17.25 |
R2.43 |
| 2020/06/27 |
R19.35 |
R21.28 |
R17.25 |
R2.43 |
| 2020/07/04 |
R19.14 |
R21.24 |
R17.01 |
R2.40 |
| 2020/07/11 |
R18.94 |
R21.16 |
R16.77 |
R2.39 |
| 2020/07/25 |
R19.39 |
R21.36 |
R16.64 |
R2.37 |
| 2020/08/01 |
R20.05 |
R22.28 |
R17.05 |
R2.44 |
| 2020/08/08 |
R20.78 |
R23.02 |
R17.63 |
R2.53 |
| 2020/08/15 |
R20.57 |
R23.73 |
R17.37 |
R2.49 |
| 2020/08/22 |
R20.23 |
R22.45 |
R17.15 |
R2.47 |
| 2020/08/29 |
R19.74 |
R22.14 |
R16.58 |
R2.41 |
| 2020/09/05 |
R19.66 |
R22.06 |
R16.61 |
R2.42 |
| 2020/09/12 |
R19.83 |
R21.42 |
R16.74 |
R2.45 |
| 2020/09/19 |
R19.32 |
R21.08 |
R16.32 |
R2.41 |
| 2020/09/26 |
R19.92 |
R21.81 |
R17.12 |
R2.50 |
| 2020/10/03 |
R19.39 |
R21.40 |
R16.55 |
R2.43 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
2. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 2020/06/20 |
20.39 |
22.53 |
18.24 |
2.58 |
| 2020/06/27 |
20.48 |
22.52 |
18.25 |
2.57 |
| 2020/07/04 |
20.24 |
22.46 |
17.99 |
2.54 |
| 2020/07/11 |
20.54 |
22.94 |
18.17 |
2.59 |
| 2020/07/25 |
21.18 |
23.26 |
18.17 |
2.59 |
| 2020/08/01 |
21.55 |
23.95 |
18.31 |
2.66 |
| 2020/08/08 |
24.05 |
24.05 |
18.42 |
2.64 |
| 2020/08/15 |
22.08 |
24.40 |
18.64 |
2.68 |
| 2020/08/22 |
22.48 |
24.94 |
19.05 |
2.75 |
| 2020/08/29 |
23.33 |
26.16 |
19.60 |
2.85 |
| 2020/09/05 |
23.27 |
26.11 |
19.66 |
2.87 |
| 2020/09/12 |
23.66 |
25.56 |
19.97 |
2.92 |
| 2020/09/19 |
23.73 |
25.90 |
20.04 |
2.96 |
| 2020/09/26 |
23.26 |
25.48 |
20.00 |
2.93 |
| 2020/10/03 |
23.55 |
26.00 |
20.10 |
2.96 |
3. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
Official US$ Rate |
| 2020/06/20 |
405.54 |
446.91 |
361.90 |
51.17 |
|
| 2020/06/27 |
405.98 |
446.46 |
361.90 |
51.13 |
|
| 2020/07/04 |
407.08 |
451.78 |
361.90 |
51.21 |
|
| 2020/07/11 |
408.89 |
456.71 |
361.90 |
51.70 |
|
| 2020/07/25 |
421.71 |
463.13 |
361.90 |
51.58 |
|
| 2020/08/01 |
426.09 |
473.50 |
361.90 |
51.58 |
|
| 2020/08/08 |
426.53 |
472.42 |
361.90 |
51.93 |
|
| 2020/08/15 |
428.56 |
473.55 |
361.90 |
52.06 |
|
| 2020/08/22 |
426.90 |
473.72 |
361.90 |
52.30 |
|
| 2020/08/29 |
430.86 |
483.20 |
361.90 |
52.71 |
|
| 2020/09/05 |
428.42 |
480.70 |
361.90 |
52.89 |
|
| 2020/09/12 |
428.70 |
463.13 |
361.90 |
52.95 |
|
| 2020/09/19 |
428.45 |
467.52 |
361.90 |
53.46 |
80.48 |
| 2020/09/26 |
421.04 |
461.12 |
361.90 |
53.04 |
81.49 |
| 2020/10/03 |
423.96 |
468.06 |
361.90 |
53.29 |
81.44 |
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (September 28, 2020) - The current average hide price increased by 22.6% to R0.82/kg from R0.67/kg green a week ago. The current price is 43.6% higher than the average price a month ago and is 54.5% lower than the average price a year ago. This quick and dramatic increase in price was against the expectation of the local hide market. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. - Abrie Rautenbach, head Absa agribusiness, and Paige Bowen, agricultural economist, Absa group.
| Hide & skin price progression |
| Date |
Hides/Kg |
Dorper/Skin |
Merino Skin |
| 2020/01/03 |
1.38 |
35.00 |
46.67 |
| 2020/01/10 |
1.42 |
28.69 |
45.71 |
| 2020/01/17 |
1.35 |
30.74 |
45.71 |
| 2020/01/24 |
1.39 |
33.75 |
48.14 |
| 2020/02/07 |
1.36 |
33.47 |
47.50 |
| 2020/02/14 |
1.36 |
33.75 |
47.50 |
| 2020/02/21 |
1.32 |
33.75 |
47.50 |
| 2020/02/28 |
1.29 |
37.22 |
43.89 |
| 2020/03/06 |
1.29 |
36.50 |
43.50 |
| 2020/03/13 |
1.31 |
36.00 |
43.50 |
| 2020/03/27 |
0.93 |
37.22 |
48.33 |
| 2020/04/03 |
0.92 |
37.78 |
47.36 |
| 2020/04/10 |
0.89 |
35.63 |
42.22 |
| 2020/04/17 |
0.88 |
39.38 |
41.25 |
| 2020/04/24 |
0.89 |
33.82 |
43.33 |
| 2020/05/01 |
0.82 |
34.55 |
46.88 |
| 2020/05/08 |
0.82 |
32.10 |
43.33 |
| 2020/05/18 |
0.77 |
32.10 |
43.33 |
| 2020/05/22 |
0.72 |
26.54 |
40.00 |
| 2020/05/29 |
0.72 |
25.44 |
40.00 |
| 2020/06/05 |
0.70 |
23.65 |
40.00 |
| 2020/06/12 |
0.72 |
31.14 |
45.71 |
| 2020/06/19 |
0.69 |
23.62 |
43.13 |
| 2020/06/26 |
0.73 |
28.92 |
47.14 |
| 2020/07/03 |
0.67 |
23.58 |
43.13 |
| 2020/07/10 |
0.68 |
24.96 |
43.13 |
| 2020/07/17 |
0.61 |
28.83 |
45.00 |
| 2020/07/24 |
0.51 |
25.63 |
43.13 |
| 2020/07/31 |
0.57 |
25.19 |
43.13 |
| 2020/08/07 |
0.61 |
26.77 |
42.50 |
| 2020/08/14 |
0.58 |
28.57 |
43.57 |
| 2020/08/21 |
0.57 |
25.63 |
43.57 |
| 2020/08/28 |
0.59 |
27.88 |
43.57 |
| 2020/09/04 |
0.61 |
27.17 |
43.57 |
| 2020/09/11 |
0.67 |
27.48 |
43.57 |
| 2020/09/18 |
0.82 |
27.40 |
43.57 |
Note: For previous prices, see HERE
07/10/1969: Gunnar Halbich, Paul Moeller & Co, Cape Town.
08/10/1970: Sharon Bekker, Prima Style, Cape Town.
08/10/1943: Willie van Vuuren, Fergom (SA), Southport, KZN, SA.
08/10/1973: Robert O'Connell, Bader SA, Pretoria.
09/10/1946: Yunus Nagdee, agent, Johannesburg.
09/10/1948: Ibrahim Shaikh, Hopewell Footwear, Durban.
09/10/1957: RE Badenhorst, Vrystaat Huide & Velle, Kroonstad.
09/10/1961: Richard Kushlick, Unique Feet, Johannesburg.
09/10/1971: Phoenix Wang, San Chang Import & Export, Estcourt.
10/10/1943: Jamloot Bhagwandeen, retired, formerly Dick Whittington Shoes, Pietermaritzburg.
10/10/1950: Allen Beckley, Naked Feet, Durban.
10/10/1951: Paul Muir, Pasacojo Marketing, Cape Town.
10/10/1968: Luke Barrett-Smith, Puma SA, Cape Town.
10/10/1969: Nicole Benders, Prime Leathers, Pinetown.
11/10/1956: Anita van Wyk, Shoe 4 U, Hartswater.
11/10/1965: Delene Kapperer, Sisterhood, Pretoria.
11/10/1965: Naresh Dewchan, Austin Footwear.
In Memoriam this week
06/10/2016: Ernie Aaron (b. 21/05/1922), agent, Durban.
08/10/2011: Johannes Antonius Olde-Olthof (b. 11/10/1928), Tarzan Shoes, Tulbagh.
08/10/2017: Michael Piccione (b. 27/03/1963), KMP Footwear, Pinetown.
09/10/2015: Barry Furber, Furber & Whittle [closed], Cape Town.
09/10/2015: Steve Croudace (b. 22/06/1958), Leatherback Footwear, Pietermaritzburg.
11/10/1994: Eric Ahlfeldt, Pelco, Port Elizabeth.
11/10/2012: John Austin Rice (b. 17/06/1938), Courteney Boot, Bulawayo.
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:
Colorglo International, Durban, KZNSA. Restoring and repair of leather and synthetic finished goods.
Comfy Shoes & Clothing, Jeffrey's Bay, E. Cape, SA. Family outfitter.
Classified Adverts
AXLE CONSULTING LTD
About Our Services:
Axle Consulting UK is an agency that represents South African companies in the UK and Europe – saving you the cost, time and hassle of having to send representatives from South Africa to find and/or deal with clients on this side of the world. For a fraction of the cost of doing so, I will represent you in the UK and Europe for the following:
- Presentation of your products and services to prospective clients
- Negotiations with clients and dispute resolution
- Identifying new business opportunities
- Attendance at trade fairs and exhibitions
I also assist with market research, pricing and marketing strategy, and general business advice for the UK.
About me:
I have been in various business leadership positions for the past 30 years. From 2004-2009, I was international key account manager (marketing) for GST / Seton AutoLeather, proudly representing the company at major automotive clients across South Africa and Europe. In 2008, I purchased and re-established Vandan Engineering where I remained as MD until 2017 when the business was sold. From November 2017 until now, I have been consulting to various businesses in size from 2-200 employees.
I now live in Harpenden, UK - north of London, conveniently located for easy and quick access to most major cities in the UK within a few hours.
I have extensive experience in senior level marketing and negotiations, and will make sure to represent your company professionally, ethically and with always with a keen eye on your bottom line!
I speak German, hold a European passport (easily able to travel visa-free in and around Europe), and hold several business and marketing qualifications. I pride myself on offering a value for money, quality service, and on building long-term, mutually beneficial business relationships.
Contact me for a no-obligation discussion:
41 Cross Way, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4QU, UK
Tel: + 44 7502 838 079 [UK] / + 27 83 2988 111 [SA – SMS only]
alex@axleconsulting.co.uk www.axleconsulting.co.uk
Director: Alex Largatzis B Com, MBL, CM(SA)
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: October 13, 2020.
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
|
