S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.12, March 22 2021
This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA
Please note: Click on any ad to go to the advertiser’s website
Business
Kenya
The African Boot Co.: Consumers are battling
Nairobi – After a good December and January, fuelled by Christmas and back-to-school trading, sales dropped off again from the second or third week of February, said Sunil Jethwa, a director of Nairobi's oldest footwear retailer, The African Boot Co. Ltd.
"A lot of people have been laid off or are on half salaries," he said, "and the cost of living has gone up quite a bit." He said sales, which normally averaged around 50 pairs/day, had dropped to 10 or 12 pairs.
The family-owned business shut its second, smaller store, which was in a shopping centre, last year, "because the rent was too high and the sales were even worse there than here". The remaining store is in Nairobi's CBD.
Stock shortages have also been a problem. The African Boot Co. doesn't import direct, but imported footwear from India is a significant part of its assortment.
"We haven't changed suppliers," he said, "but we are buying lower priced footwear."
Namibia
J. Gerdes Uniwear: 'Among the lucky few'
Windhoek – "We're actually among the lucky firms," said sales representative Samantha Pieterse of PPE distributor J. Gerdes Uniwear. "A lot of companies have closed down, and business is a bit up and down, but overall we're trading quite well."
Although the business doesn't carry facemasks, she said sourcing any forms of disposable PPE from South Africa had become more difficult, and they had had to find alternative sources for some products.
South Africa
Wizard's Vintage: Second hand goods for the rich
Johannesburg, Gauteng – Unusually among retailers currently, 'pre-owned luxury designer brand' retailer Wizard's Vintage is "very busy", showroom manager Karen Orzol said.
Wizard's Vintage takes apparel on consignment, and has about 10 000 items in stock, she said.
"During the lockdown, many women had clearouts, and the people who shop here still have money. There are a lot of people who will only wear something once."
On its Facebook page, the business describes its business model this way: "Buying vintage is great for the aspirational shopper who wants to own the big labels, but doesn’t necessarily have the budget to buy Armani straight off the rack. Importantly, it’s also a way to recycle..."
She said the business never buys in new stock, and turns away many items.
Zip-Code: Changes starting to pay off
Umhlanga, KZN – Women' boutique Zip-Code was particularly badly hit by the various lockdowns because it specialised in "going out wear", member Clare Jones said, "and none of that's happening".
Zip-Code sells locally-made clothing which she designs
"We weren't in a good place before Covid," she said, "and we struggled through it. December started well, but with that lockdown we had the worst December ever.
"However, in the last week, business has started to get a lot better. I've just signed another 2-year lease, so let's hope it continues that way."
Zip-Code's response to conditions included closing its second store, in La Lucia Mall, adding "slightly more casual" clothing, and promoting its online business. "That's grown exponentially," she said, "but we're still very new at it, and it has its own costs".
Also, it has dropped footwear. "The rental is very high, and we can't get enough margin selling someone else's brands," she said. She said she had tried stocking leather handbags, but "my customers are more after cheap and cheerful - they don't understand leather".
Stock Exchange News Service (SENS)
Rex Trueform: Trading statement
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (March 19, 2021) – Shareholders are accordingly advised that: Rex Trueform's earnings per share ("EPS") is expected to decrease 94.1%, from earnings of 82.4 cents per share reported by Rex Trueform for the six months ended 31 December 2019 to earnings of 4.9 cents per share for the six months ended 31 December 2020; and
Rex Trueform's headline earnings per share will decrease by 84.0%, from headline earnings of 82.4 cents per share reported by Rex Trueform for the six months ended 31 December 2019 to headline earnings of 13.2 cents per share for the six months ended 31 December 2020.
The interim financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2020 are anticipated to be released on or about 26 March 2021.
They Said It
"Am I on WhatsApp? Yes, I get dirty jokes from Granville just about every day on WhatsApp." - The ISTT's Dr Clive Jackson-Moss on correspondence from DyStar's Granville Steyn. Tanning recipes made interesting, perhaps.
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
23/03/1965: Nilesh Naran, Curtolo Shoes, Laudium, Gauteng, SA.
24/03/1947: Chiman Harjeven, Knight's Shoes, Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA.
24/03/1986: Andrew Williams, Little Slipper Co., Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
25/03/1950: Lorraine Morgan, Shoes & Views.
25/03/1963: Richard Mulenga, Zamleather, Lusaka, Zambia.
25/03/1974: Charl du Plessis, left the industry, formerly with KKI, Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA.
26/03/1950: Bunny Ramsay, Equalization Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/03/1961: Peter Meinzer, Thiel’s Shoe Shop, Windhoek, Namibia.
27/03/1952: Mike Conradie, freelance designer, Durban, KZN, SA.
27/03/1958: Tony Parkes, retired, formerly Bata SA, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
27/03/1967: Alison Lailvaux, S&V.
28/03/1963: Brett Momberg, BBF Group, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
28/03/1964: Pooan Archary, Paragon Footwear, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
28/03/1968: Ismail Gathoo, Esquire, Bethlehem, Free State, SA.
28/03/1972: Alfonso Smerilli, Michelle Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
28/03/1985: Taariq Mahomed Hoosen, Paris Belts, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
28/03/1986: Mohamed Adam, Seadoone Shoes, Amanzimtoti, KZN, SA.
In Memoriam this week
24/03/2011: John Lailvaux (b. 16/10/1946), Bouvette (closed), Shoe Boyz (closed), Naked Feet, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
26/03/1994: Manfred Hanni, Hanni Leathers [now Seton AutoLeather], Nigel, Gauteng, SA.
26/03/2002: Marie Joy Viljoen, Tuftex, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
26/03/2011: Paolo Bresolin (b. 25/07/1944), Andreoli Shoes, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
26/03/2016: Viroo Harry (b. 10/01/1960), Mr Man, now part of Knight's Shoes, Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA.
28/03/2011: Brian Berger (b. 25/12/1963), Armadillo Footwear, Johannesburg, KZN, SA.
28/03/2015: Colin Grecia (b. 29/12/1964), Classic Components, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
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.
Exchange rates
1. SA Rand (ZAR)/Lesotho Loti (LSL)/Namibian Dollar (NAD)/Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 2020/12/05 |
R18.42 |
R20.42 |
R15.20 |
R2.32 |
| 2020/12/12 |
R18.34 |
R20.03 |
R15.14 |
R2.31 |
| 2020/12/19 |
R17.81 |
R19.65 |
R14.53 |
R2.22 |
| 2020/12/26 |
R17.80 |
R19.68 |
R14.59 |
R2.23 |
| 2021/01/02 |
R17.95 |
R20.08 |
R14.68 |
R2.24 |
| 2021/01/09 |
R18.69 |
R20.74 |
R15.29 |
R2.36 |
| 2021/01/16 |
R18.39 |
R20.68 |
R15.22 |
R2.34 |
| 2021/01/23 |
R18.42 |
R20.71 |
R15.14 |
R2.33 |
| 2021/01/30 |
R18.40 |
R20.78 |
R15.16 |
R2.35 |
| 2021/02/06 |
R17.88 |
R20.38 |
R14.84 |
R2.29 |
| 2021/02/13 |
R17.63 |
R20.14 |
R14.55 |
R2.25 |
| 2021/02/20 |
R17.79 |
R20.57 |
R14.68 |
R2.26 |
| 2021/02/27 |
R18.25 |
R21.05 |
R15.12 |
R2.33 |
| 2021/03/06 |
R18.30 |
R21.26 |
R15.36 |
R2.36 |
| 2021/03/13 |
R17.87 |
R20.81 |
R14.94 |
R2.29 |
| 2021/03/20 |
R17.52 |
R20.38 |
R14.69 |
R2.25 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
2. Botswana Pula (BWP)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 2020/12/05 |
13.36 |
14.81 |
11.02 |
1.68 |
| 2020/12/12 |
13.27 |
14.50 |
10.96 |
1.67 |
| 2020/12/19 |
13.21 |
14.58 |
10.78 |
1.65 |
| 2020/12/26 |
13.19 |
14.58 |
10.81 |
1.65 |
| 2021/01/02 |
13.17 |
14.75 |
10.79 |
1.65 |
| 2021/01/09 |
13.19 |
14.63 |
10.79 |
1.66 |
| 2021/01/16 |
13.29 |
14.93 |
10.99 |
1.69 |
| 2021/01/23 |
13.33 |
14.99 |
10.95 |
1.69 |
| 2021/01/30 |
13.37 |
15.10 |
11.02 |
1.71 |
| 2021/02/06 |
13.23 |
15.08 |
10.98 |
1.69 |
| 2021/02/13 |
13.30 |
15.19 |
10.97 |
1.69 |
| 2021/02/20 |
13.12 |
15.17 |
10.83 |
1.66 |
| 2021/02/27 |
13.17 |
15.19 |
10.91 |
1.68 |
| 2021/03/06 |
13.08 |
15.20 |
10.98 |
1.69 |
| 2021/03/13 |
13.13 |
15.29 |
10.98 |
1.68 |
| 2021/03/20 |
13.16 |
15.30 |
11.03 |
1.69 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 2020/12/05 |
926.76 |
1027.46 |
764.52 |
117.04 |
| 2020/12/12 |
925.52 |
1010.82 |
764.06 |
116.73 |
| 2020/12/19 |
939.48 |
1036.81 |
766.84 |
117.34 |
| 2020/12/26 |
938.70 |
1037.73 |
769.62 |
117.63 |
| 2021/01/02 |
941.20 |
1053.64 |
770.57 |
118.00 |
| 2021/01/09 |
944.79 |
1048.60 |
772.99 |
119.37 |
| 2021/01/16 |
934.87 |
1050.81 |
773.46 |
119.35 |
| 2021/01/23 |
940.27 |
1057.01 |
772.53 |
119.19 |
| 2021/01/30 |
934.58 |
1055.41 |
770.00 |
119.79 |
| 2021/02/06 |
935.16 |
1066.25 |
776.26 |
120.04 |
| 2021/02/13 |
941.10 |
1074.93 |
776.44 |
120.22 |
| 2021/02/20 |
943.91 |
1091.50 |
778.83 |
120.07 |
| 2021/02/27 |
943.34 |
1088.25 |
781.40 |
120.60 |
| 2021/03/06 |
930.18 |
1080.40 |
780.90 |
120.19 |
| 2021/03/13 |
932.59 |
1086.14 |
780.18 |
119.87 |
| 2021/03/20 |
936.19 |
1088.76 |
784.84 |
120.62 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 2020/12/05 |
25.60 |
28.38 |
21.12 |
3.23 |
| 2020/12/12 |
25.61 |
27.98 |
21.14 |
3.23 |
| 2020/12/19 |
25.94 |
28.63 |
21.18 |
3.24 |
| 2020/12/26 |
25.81 |
28.53 |
21.16 |
3.23 |
| 2021/01/02 |
25.85 |
28.94 |
21.17 |
3.24 |
| 2021/01/09 |
26.02 |
28.87 |
21.28 |
3.28 |
| 2021/01/16 |
25.84 |
29.04 |
21.38 |
3.29 |
| 2021/01/23 |
26.01 |
29.24 |
21.37 |
3.29 |
| 2021/01/30 |
26.07 |
29.44 |
21.48 |
3.34 |
| 2021/02/06 |
25.98 |
29.62 |
21.57 |
3.33 |
| 2021/02/13 |
26.27 |
30.01 |
21.67 |
3.35 |
| 2021/02/20 |
26.28 |
30.39 |
21.68 |
3.34 |
| 2021/02/27 |
26.38 |
30.44 |
21.85 |
3.37 |
| 2021/03/06 |
26.12 |
30.34 |
21.93 |
3.37 |
| 2021/03/13 |
26.22 |
30.54 |
21.93 |
3.37 |
| 2021/03/20 |
26.33 |
30.60 |
22.07 |
3.39 |
5. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)
Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
Official US$ |
| 2020/12/05 |
438.69 |
486.36 |
361.90 |
55.40 |
81.87 |
| 2020/12/12 |
438.38 |
478.79 |
361.90 |
55.29 |
81.85 |
| 2020/12/19 |
443.37 |
489.30 |
361.90 |
55.37 |
81.73 |
| 2020/12/26 |
441.40 |
487.97 |
361.90 |
55.31 |
81.78 |
| 2021/01/02 |
442.03 |
494.84 |
361.90 |
55.88 |
81.78 |
| 2021/01/09 |
442.33 |
490.92 |
361.90 |
55.88 |
81.78 |
| 2021/01/16 |
437.42 |
491.67 |
361.90 |
55.84 |
82.09 |
| 2021/01/23 |
440.48 |
495.16 |
361.90 |
55.83 |
82.08 |
| 2021/01/30 |
439.25 |
496.03 |
361.90 |
56.30 |
82.67 |
| 2021/02/06 |
435.97 |
497.09 |
361.90 |
55.96 |
83.37 |
| 2021/02/13 |
438.64 |
501.01 |
361.90 |
56.03 |
83.37 |
| 2021/02/20 |
438.61 |
507.18 |
361.90 |
55.79 |
83.75 |
| 2021/02/27 |
436.90 |
504.01 |
361.90 |
55.85 |
83.88 |
| 2021/03/06 |
431.07 |
500.70 |
361.90 |
55.70 |
83.88 |
| 2021/03/13 |
432.59 |
503.82 |
361.90 |
55.60 |
83.98 |
| 2021/03/20 |
431.67 |
501.77 |
361.90 |
55.62 |
83.98 |
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (March 17, 2021) - The current average hide price increased by 1.8% to R5.79/kg from R5.69/kg a week ago. The current price is 20.6% higher than the average price a month ago and is 341.1% higher than the average price a year ago. Industry players are still reporting relatively low slaughter numbers combined with strong demand. This is providing price support. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. - Abrie Rautenbach, head Absa agribusiness, Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist, and Paige Bowen, agricultural economist, Absa group.
| Hide & skin price progression |
| Date |
Hides/Kg |
Dorper/Skin |
Merino Skin |
| 2020/11/06 |
2.36 |
26.00 |
44.00 |
| 2020/11/13 |
2.38 |
23.59 |
40.00 |
| 2020/11/20 |
2.69 |
35.00 |
50.00 |
| 2020/11/27 |
3.08 |
36.00 |
49.00 |
| 2020/12/04 |
3.65 |
34.03 |
49.00 |
| 2020/12/11 |
3.68 |
33.21 |
50.83 |
| 2020/12/18 |
3.93 |
32.59 |
51.67 |
| 2021/12/25 |
4.08 |
34.39 |
51.67 |
| 2021/01/01 |
3.93 |
34.03 |
54.00 |
| 2021/01/08 |
3.88 |
31.43 |
46.43 |
| 2021/01/15 |
4.03 |
31.43 |
46.43 |
| 2021/01/22 |
4.16 |
30.00 |
47.00 |
| 2021/01/29 |
4.04 |
33.05 |
50.83 |
Note: For previous prices, see HERE
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:
Merit Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA. Wholesaler.
Messe Frankfurt South Africa, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Fair organiser.
Classified Adverts
Design department manager seeks post
Devrajah (Teddy) Moodley, who had 31 years' experience with Michelle Footwear and was design department manager, followed by 2 year with Caprini Footwear as technical manager, seeks employment. He is prepared to relocate outside of Durban if required. A full CV, including references from both companies, is available. Please reply to 083 280 6915, moodleyteddy8@gmail.com
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: March 29, 2021.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
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