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S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.16, April 19 2021

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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

 

Botswana

Arma: Time for optimism

Gaborone – Fazel Allie, MD of men's boutique Arma Trading, said trading "seems to be picking up now", a trend he said had started last month.
      "People are starting to buy more winter clothing," he said, but the upturn "didn't necessarily" mean they had more disposable income.
      Most of Arma's merchandise is sourced from SA importers, and he said there was "still a bit of challenge" getting stock.
      Of his forecast for the rest of the year, "I'm going to be optimistic", he said.

 

Lesotho

Anwary's: March upturn, slowing again

Butha-Buthe – Trade picked up "very well" in March, said Khalid Anwary, a director of the family-owned general dealer Anwary's, "but this month it's slowed down again. Business only really starts after 12 each day. The mornings are very quiet."
      He said the principal reason was that consumers didn't have money, combined with the ongoing costs of Covid testing for people going to or returning from South Africa.
      Schools are still not open, which has hit back-to-school sales, an important part of Anwary's business.
      He said there were also issues with supply from SA importers.

 

Malawi

Footwear Centre: Coming out of Covid better than we went in

Blantyre – Trade has been "a mixed bag", Footwear Centre chairman Rafiq Hajat said.
      "Corruption has caused a loss of faith in government, and the economy has shrunk," he said. "Bata has closed most of its main street shops, and we closed our second shop, in Limbe, last month. We did that because Limbe has become a haven for cheap Chinese footwear and second hand footwear, mostly brought in by an NGO."
      Footwear Centre's tender business, supplying both government departments and private businesses, had secured several tenders.
      Its flagship retail store "is now running very well", he said. "It was always seen by consumers as high end, but I've developed a cheaper range as well. In addition, we're selling off our Limbe stock at half price, which has seen people coming in to buy 3 or 4 pairs at a time, and understanding that this store covers the full range of price points."
      He was cautious about the future: "I'm not driving a Rolls-Royce, I'm driving a 2007 Suzuki, but if we continue along this trajectory - fingers crossed - we will come out better than we were before Covid, and a lot better than we were at the beginning of the year."
      He said there were problems with supply from SA factories, "which we understand, because they're all Covid-related. However, we have adequate stocks for 3 or 4 months, and it's also helped trim off the fat."

 

 

South Africa

Dodo's: 'Bring on winter!'

Johannesburg, Gauteng – April so far has been disappointing after a strong January and February, Dodo's Group marketing director Kelli Kupritz said. "Easter didn't really happen. A lot of people in our market depend on government grants, and those were paid very late. Consumers' first stop is food before anything else nowadays. Some areas in the country are far more depressed than others and our customers are still not flocking to the big malls as they did in the past. Foot counts in these large malls are still way down.
         "We had a very strong summer range which naturally is now depleted and we have had large inputs of winter stock into our stores. The very warm whether we are currently experiencing has not been conducive to winter product sales at this early stage, which has not helped April.
        "There have been a number of new opportunities in finding new stores in the first few months which we have taken advantage of in South Africa and Botswana. The group has closed a number of non-performing stores so far this year but we have at this stage another 8 new stores to open before October 2021."

      She said the group's online business, trading as Shoebox, opened 18 months ago and aimed at a higher LSM, "has gone very well".
      "Higher shipping costs  are a concern going forward, and this, together with the abnormally high increase in China, has eaten into the advantages of a stronger Rand.
      "I'm an optimist and believe business conditions will continue to improve."

 

Casanova: Budgeting is guesswork

Durban, KZN, SA – "April so far hasn't been as good as March was," said 'Budgie' Magan, owner of men's boutique stores Casanova and Q'dos. "We had a sale in March, which helped.
      "The Easter weekend wasn't bad, especially after last year when there was no Easter trading and no visitors."
      He said it was possible to trade well "if you've got the right stock - that's the key to getting the sale".
      Most of his stock is imported - much of it from Europe - "and freight is a killer".
      On the clothing side, he said Pierre Cardin - and previously Pringle - were the only international brands made locally under licence, "and hopefully Pringle will come back under its new distributor at an acceptable price."
      "Shoes are a problem," he said. "Local shoes are not good at all."
      Of trading for the rest of the year, he said it was anyone's guess.
      "In the past you could budget for 6 months. Now you don't know. Last year there was no Durban July and no Christmas. Hopefully they'll be back this year."

 

Mike's Sports: A much more optimistic feel

Cape Town, W. Cape – Business has improved considerably, said Mike Augoustides, partner in sportswear specialist Mike's Sports.
      "There are still concerns about further lockdowns, and the various sporting bodies are postponing events for as long as possible.
      "The bulk of our business is team wear for amateur sports clubs and schools, and we're still nowhere near where I'd like to be. I'm sure it's going to be a staggered improvement.
      "Buying - it's a difficult one. Brands are under pressure to meet targets, but they understand it's not just caution on our part. They've all been very understanding because we're all in a similar position.
      "But I don't want to paint a horrible picture. There's definitely more optimism. You can't compare this month to April last year. There was no April last year."

 

They Said It

"I know it was a big week when Cyril lifted the booze ban, but we don’t need to be stuck at 29 Jan for 3 months." - Rolfes Leather MD Quintin Marais, complaining that the hide and skin prices hadn't been updated. With ABSA's help, they now have, as you can see below. When I told him I'd had to wait for the prices, he replied: "Always the best solution…pass the buck."

"In the meantime, buy ostrich steak and fillet instead of ostrich sausage at any of the local supermarkets Or better yet, buy both!" - Cape Karoo International MD Francois de Wet, noting that local consumers have their part to play in helping an export industry survive in challenging circumstances.

 

Death notices

Durban, KZN, SA – Brian Wallis, who spent over 40 years in the footwear industry, mostly in footwear machinery, died on April 09. An obituary written with his daughter, Angie Wallis, will appear in the April issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods.

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Colin Gerrans, former director of Silverton Tannery and then Hanni & Sons (now Seton AutoLeather), died on April 10. An obituary by his former colleague, David Allen, will appear in the April issue of S&V African Leather.

 

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

 

19/04/1946: Mike Pengelly, Trailmix Trading, Durban, KZN, SA.
20/04/1948: Michael Hoffmann, Max-Cowell, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
20/04/1954: Barry Clayton, Shoe City, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
20/04/1957: Johnny Kleynhans, ConsulTan, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
20/04/1960: Glen Mitchell, Shoprite Checkers, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
20/04/1963: Angie Tootla, The Rose Lady, Stanger/ KwaDukuza, KZN, SA.
21/04/1959: Jirka Vymetal, SAFLIA, Durban, KZN, SA.
21/04/1972: Stanton Pullen, reportedly working in Japan.
22/04/1959: John Comley, Celrose/Eddels, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
22/04/1959: Richard Louw, Quality Store, Ellisras/Lephalale, Limpopo, SA.
22/04/1986: Shaun Moodley, BM Agencies, Durban, KZN, SA.
23/04/1951: Jerry Pillay, Triple S Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
23/04/1997: Latasha Singh, Chillisource, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/04/1955: Maryrose Lesalaisa, Cee Dee Footwear, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
25/04/1961: Marcelle Kurth, emigrated to Australia, formerly Corbeau, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
25/04/1963: Neil Barnes, Millbrook Trading, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/04/1971: Clinton Cloete, BBF Footwear, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.

 

In Memoriam this week

19/04/2019: Raymond Manuel (b. 12/06/1963), Kronies (closed), Villani, Barker, Bolton Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
20/04/2015: Moira Pascall, Economic Shoe Store, Paarl, W. Cape, SA.
21/04/2012: MG Moodley (b. 08/04/1922), MG Shoes/Ballucci Footwear [both closed], Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
22/04/2007: Louise Cowie (b.05/06/?), GW Cowie & Co, Durban, 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
2021/03/29 R17.67 R20.74 R15.01 R2.28
2021/04/05 R17.16 R20.19 R14.52 R2.21
2021/04/10 R17.38 R20.01 R14.60 R2.22
2021/04/17 R17.15 R19.80 R14.31 R2.19

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
2021/03/29 13.06 15.33 11.10 1.69
2021/04/05 13.03 15.33 11.03 1.68
2021/04/10 13.13 15.12 11.03 1.68
2021/04/17 12.98 14.98 10.83 1.66


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
2021/03/29 924.77 1085.10 785.88  
2021/04/05 928.15 1092.12 785.75 119.66
2021/04/10 935.73 1077.61 786.22 119.97
2021/04/17 945.86 1092.19 789.44 121.06


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
2021/03/29 25.99 30.50 22.09 3.36
2021/04/05 26.06 30.66 22.06 3.36
2021/04/10 26.47 30.48 22.24 3.39
2021/04/17 26.56 30.67 22.17 3.40



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
2021/03/29 425.86 499.76 361.90 55.13 84.11
2021/04/05 427.48 503.00 361.90 55.18 84.40
2021/04/10 430.72 496.02 361.90 55.22 84.39
2021/04/17 433.60 500.68 361.90 55.49 84.48

 

 

 

 

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (April 16, 2021) - The current average hide price increased by 37.0% to 8.98/kg from R6.50/kg a week ago. The current price is 53.6% higher than the average price a month ago and is 904.8% higher than the average price a year ago. Industry players are reporting very tight supply availability with strong export demand, which sustained an increasing price trend this week. 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, 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
2021/02/05 3.86 31.41 45.71
2021/02/12 4.33 35.46 45.83
2021/02/19 4.29 34.49 50.00
2021/02/26 4.94 34.70 47.50
2021/03/05 5.67 38.33 51.67
2021/03/12 4.80 42.50 59.17
2021/03/19 4.99 35.74 52.86
2021/03/26 6.33 35.16 55.00
2021/04/02 6.50 31.83 49.00
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:
Milice King Shoes, Maputo, Mozambique. Sport fashion footwear.
Military Surplus Stores, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA. Outdoor and PPE retailer.

 


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Contact us

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

Next newsletter: April 26, 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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