S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.41, Oct 12, 2020
This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA
Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website
Retail
Swaziland
Waiting for signs of an upturn
Chowdhury Investments (Pty) Ltd t/a Century Fashions, Menz Klub and Cats Eye, family outfitters, 4 stores.
Mbabane – Trade is not as good as it was, "but we're trying", director Asraful Chowdhury said.
He said the business had improved service, altered its buying patterns and was offering discounts.
"Getting stock isn't an issue," he said. "The problem is that customers don't have the same buying power as they used to."
He said there weren't yet indications of an upturn, and there was still concern over a second wave of the pandemic, and its attendant lockdown regulations, "but we're hoping conditions will improve".
South Africa
'Let's hope we maintain the momentum'
Ricky Alan Trading cc t/a MacGregor's, clothing and footwear retailer, 7 stores.
Kempton Park, Gauteng – After a reasonable August, September was "not good", member Ricky Alan said, "but October seems to have started off well".
"It's erratic," he said, "and there are challenges - suppliers have cancelled a lot of stock, for one thing.
"However, at the moment it's better than expected, and I hope we can maintain that momentum."
October 'better than expected'
L. Cohen Outfitters, men's outfitter, 1 store.
Cape Town, W. Cape – September wasn't a good month, proprietor Martin Cohen said, but "October hasn't started too badly. In fact, this weekend I'd say I'm quite satisfied under the tough circumstances."
Although the overall environment was challenging, he said he had managed to find merchandise to "partly fill in the big -gaps" left by Nike.
"It's better than expected. Long may that last."
Zimbabwe
A winter of discontent
Mark Manolios Sports (Pvt) Ltd, technical sports specialist, 3 stores.
Harare – For sports goods retailer Mark Manolios Sports, the lockdown has made trading particularly difficult, director Kristina Evans said.
"There's been very little sport, and the schools were - and still are, except for the exam classes - off as well. That meant we missed the entire winter season of team sports, which is an important part of our business."
With gyms closed, she said there had been an upsurge in interest in home gym equipment, which had helped, but suppliers ran short of stock.
"It's been a pretty terrible year, but we're hoping for an improvement over the next few months, with summer sports starting, and a return to some sort of normality in the New Year."
"COVID has affected the world over, I would like to express my sympathy to all those affected- some people have lost so much in losing their loved ones and we can only hope we’ve already experienced the worst of it."
They Said It
"We haven't heard from you for so long I thought you were worried you could catch Covid over the phone." - Borage Trading's Rennie Thambiran.
Someone mentioned an algorithm to me the other day. I said 'that sounds like something George Gershwin wrote. How does it go?' - Italian Leathers' Lionel Astill, who I suspect was being deliberately obtuse. Look it up - sorry -Google it, children - George Gershwin, not algorithm.
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 |
| 2020/10/10 |
R19.47 |
R21.48 |
R16.46 |
R2.45 |
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 |
| 2020/10/10 |
23.85 |
26.31 |
20.16 |
3.01 |
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 |
| 2020/10/03 |
428.11 |
472.14 |
361.90 |
54.06 |
80.12 |
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (October 05, 2020) - The current average hide price increased by 66.9% to R1.36/kg from R0.82/kg green a week ago. The current price is 103.5% higher than the average price a month ago and is 23.7% lower than the average price a year ago. The domestic hide price was at such a low level that any improvement in price is dramatic.
The global hide market has seen an improvement in hide prices due to an improvement in the upholstery sector as people perform home improvements and home décor with a big push for leather upholstery. Expectations among industry members is that prices will continue to see an improvement in the coming months until reaching a more sustainable level where prices will then likely hold. 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
12/10/1946: Siva Pillay, Verora Paints, Chatsworth.
12/10/1960: Sam Wu, Footech, Ladysmith.
12/10/1962: Ronell Fromke, Super Shoes, Namibia.
12/10/1966: AM ‘Buddy’ Seedat, Jino’s Clothing, Johannesburg.
12/10/1972: Nagesh Pillai, Gravel Road, Chatsworth.
13/10/1958: Ahmed Shaikh, Young Ideas, Greytown.
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.
In Memoriam this week
12/10/2001: Flaviano ‘Fluffy’ Bernardis, (b. 11/12/1944), Andreoli Shoes, Pinetown.
13/10/2014: Kaps Singh (b. 08/04/1957), Famous Shoes, Pietermaritzburg.
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.
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:
Component Wholesalers, Durban, KZN, SA. Supplier of leather care products.
Conloo Joinery, Welkom, Free State, SA. Manufacturer of wooden tanning drums.
Classified Adverts
AXLE CONSULTING LTD
About Our Services:
Axle Consulting UK is a marketing and strategic planning agency representing South African companies in the UK and Europe – saving you the cost, time and hassle of having to employ and send representatives from South Africa to find and/or deal with clients on ‘this side’ of the world. At very cost-effective rates, 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
- Marketing and pricing strategy and research
- General business advice for the UK.
Generally, Axle Consulting works on a retainer basis, and you will receive regular and detailed reports and discussions on all marketing / research activities, client visits, opportunities and suggestions.
About me:
I have been in various business leadership positions in South Africa for the past 30 years and I understand and appreciate the world-class quality of South African products. I was previously Marketing : Key Account Manager for GST / Seton AutoLeather, proudly representing the company at major international automotive OEM clients across South Africa and Europe. From 2008-2017 I was MD/Owner of Vandan Engineering (die-making specialists) and since the sale of the business I have been consulting for various businesses ranging in size from 2-200 employees.
With extensive experience in senior level marketing and results-driven negotiations, both in South Africa and in Europe and the UK, I will ensure that your company is represented professionally, ethically and always with a keen eye on your bottom line!
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!
Being based just outside London means that I have quick and cost-effective access to most major cities in the UK and to all parts of Europe. I also speak German, can travel visa-free in and around Europe (and to the USA), and 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:
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 19, 2020.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
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