Publisher of leading trade magazines for the Footwear, Leather-goods, Leather & PPE industries
.

S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.40, October 4 2021

This Newsletter is sponsored by SAFLIA

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

 

Trading

Kingon's: Deliveries still a problem

East London, E. Cape, SA – "Trading remains very poor," said Mark Kingon, managing member of department store Kingon's. "We're still 20% to 30% down on our 2019 levels. We're equalling last year's figures. when we were closed so much of the time, but we don't seem to be able to get traction.
      "However, we are still trading, we're still getting customers coming in and buying what they should be buying, but they're few and far between."
      He said Kingon's had, cut back on most of its buy, but "because the supply has been so erratic, in some areas we haven't cut back at all because we're desperate for stock. For example, chino trousers for last summer arrived in February.
      "I'm hoping deliveries for this Christmas will be much better."

 

Burton's: 'We'll have to work even harder for sales'

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Trade is "more or less at the same level as last year - maybe slightly up - and definitely still down on 2019", said Jillian Allen, whose Burton's and Monson's stores specialise in comfort footwear.
      "I think it's mostly because people are short of money at the moment," she said. "Another factor is that shopping habits have changed, and there hasn't been a total return to the malls, although that is easing up."
      With a fairly small supplier base selling mainly imported footwear, she hasn't changed her buy much. Deliveries have been pushed out, "but it hasn't had much of an influence on us".
      "Summer has come very late to the Cape - 6 to 8 weeks behind Gauteng. It's not easy selling sandals when it's 17°C outside."
      An issue which concerns her is being treated fairly by suppliers. "It's not easy getting exclusivity in this business. Brands have their own online sales, and on top of that, brands which sell clearing lines to chains aren't treating their smaller customers, who pay full price, fairly. The chains sell the brand for half of what we do, and the end consumer doesn't understand or care about clearing lines."
      Christmas trading isn't as significant for comfort retailers, but she said she was hoping for a reasonable December.
      "I'm not being a pessimist, but we've got a hard ride ahead of us. We'll have to work even harder for sales."

 

 

Zim black market inflation 'soaring'

I received 2 WhatsApp messages from a reader in Zimbabwe yesterday, the first shortly after midday, the second in the late afternoon.
[12:18, 03/10/2021]: Today's currency rate (black market) USD1:ZWL160 and forecast to hit 200:1 by December. Whatever the authorities say, supermarkets are using parallel rates when they set selling prices as many have to supplement their import payments by buying from the black market.
[17:32, 03/10/2021]: Breaking news. Rate now 1:170

 

Stock Exchange News Services (SENS)

Steinhoff Investment - sanction hearing update

For the full article, go to http://www.sharedata.co.za/v2/Scripts/News.aspx?c=SHFF&sensid=397861
Stellenbosch, W. Cape, SA (30 September 2021) – Steinhoff International Holdings N.V. informs market participants that the sanction hearing to approve Steinhoff International Holdings (Pty) Ltd.’s (SIHPL) settlement proposal has been deferred from 30 September 2021 to a date still to be confirmed by the Western Cape High Court as a result of opposition applications.
      Following the overwhelming support in the creditors’ meetings held on 6th and 10th September 2021 in which over 8,500 claimants representing approximately R91.7 billion of claims voted in favour of the Proposal, with no votes against, SIHPL had applied for the sanction hearing for the Proposal to be heard as a matter of urgency by the Court on 30 September 2021.
      The Court has received intervention and opposing applications from Trevo Capital Ltd., a Mauritian entity associated with the former CEO of Pepkor Holdings Ltd., Mr Erasmus, and the trustees of Sport City Trust and AJVH Holdings (Pty) Ltd., both of which are associated with the former owners of Tekkie Town, and an individual, Mr Lamprecht.
      In addition, an intervention application in support of SIHPL’s sanction application has been received from Deloitte SA.
      SIHPL will oppose all of the opposing applications as it continues to work towards implementing the Proposal that has achieved the overwhelming support of so many claimants and so that those claimants can receive the settlement consideration as soon as possible under the terms of the Proposal.
      In view of the recent filings, the Court concluded today that the Section 155 sanction application could no longer be heard within the timetable of the Court’s urgent schedule. The Court granted an Order removing the application from the urgent roll, and directing the parties to approach the case managing Judge next week. Given the continuing urgency to have the Proposal sanctioned, SIHPL will request that the Court set an expedited timetable for the hearing of the sanction application. The Company will provide an update once the date for the hearing is known.

 

 

Rex Trueform final results June 2021

For the full article, go to http://www.sharedata.co.za/v2/Scripts/News.aspx?c=RTO&sensid=397923
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (30 September 2021) – Revenue for the year decreased by 17.1% to R491.4 million (2020: 592.5 million) and gross profit was 11.5% lower at R242.5 million (2020: R274 million). Operating profit recovered to R50.1 million (2020: loss of R73.8 million).
      The group anticipates that the current economic environment will remain challenging.
      The retail business segment has a strong brand in a niche market. Queenspark launched its own online sales platform in June 2020. Existing and new brands will be continually assessed with the intention of providing customers with a portfolio which caters for their changing needs during this time. Cash preservation and liquidity will continue to be a top priority.
      Rex Trueform's other activities are in property, water and sanitation, and media and broadcasting.

 

Woolworths credit rating

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA (01 October 2021) – Woolworths Holdings Ltd's credit rating has been revised upwards, with effect from 30 September, by S&P Global Ratings, according to a SENS announcement. It has gone from ZaA- to ZaA+ "on a long term national scale basis" .

 

 

Death notices

Blantyre, Malawi – Iqbal Hajat, founder of Footwear Centre, sent this email this morning about his son, and the person running Footwear Centre, Rafiq Hajat: "Really sorry to have to inform you that Rafiq passed away from a major heart attack three weeks ago. I will be covering for him in terms of the footwear business." Rafiq was 66.

I learnt today that 2 retired South African footwear people, Graham Gradwell of Studio Shoes in Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, and Michael Lashbrooke of Lashbrooke Agencies, Cape, Town, W. Cape, have died. I don't yet have dates of death, but I was told that Gradwell died the day before his 90th birthday.

 

They Said It

This week it's all about age, partly in reaction to the article on recent octogenarian Saag Jonker in the September edition of S&V African Leather, who has no intention of retiring or even slowing down.

"No worries, Tony. Superman has powers." - Saag's son Niel Jonker. I had quoted him as saying his father could spot a sick ostrich chick at 500 m. He asked me to change that to 100 m, and when I told him it was too late, he came out with that line.

"Having given much careful thought to your request for an article, I have come to the conclusion that it's time for me to retire." - Athol Pratt of Techtan, Pretoria, Gauteng, who turned 77 this year. "Unfortunately, I'm no Saag Jonker!"

"I've just turned 79. I'm getting a bit tired." - Mike Beattie, Tina's Shoes, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA, in conversation with Bruce Wilson of Hotter Comfort Concept SA, who replied cheerfully: "You retire, you die."

 

In case you missed it!

The latest issue of S&V African Leather Magazine features a series of articles on Saag Jonker - The man at the centre of the ostrich industry

S&V AFRICAN LEATHER MAGAZINE VOL15 NO9 SEPTEMBER 2021
IN THIS ISSUE:

3 Sam Setter's Pills
- A new quip from Sam Setter in each issue.

03 An Eclectic View
- H. Proctor writes about Zeolites, an option for tanners thinking of the circular economy.

06 Tanning Science Decoded
- Use of chrome leather shavings as a cement retarder shows promise, writes the ISTT's Dr Clive Jackson-Moss.

09 Automotive Leather
- Newly renamed Pangea - formerly Seton in SA and GST AutoLeather in the U.S. - "is rethinking how to do leather".

10 Game Skins and Taxidermies
- SA Taxidermy & Tannery Association (SATTA) has joined the Sustainable Use Coalition, a group of hunting- and game farming-orientated NGOs which aims to counter international anti-hunting campaigns.

13 Exotic Leathers
- Exotic Leather Research director Prof. Gerry Swan has retired.
- The man at the centre of the ostrich industry - Saag Jonker - has turned 80, but shows no sign of slowing down. Various people close to him give their views on what makes him tick.

19 Agriculture
- Agricultural exports are set to reach record levels, the FNB's Dawie Maree explains.

20 Weights & Measures
- Compiled by the ISTT.

21 Trade Fairs & Academic Conferences
- The IULTCS selects Dr T Ramasami as recipient of its 2021 Merit Award.
- The IULTCS announces its 2022 Young Leather Scientist grant programme.



Advertisers in this Issue
AllFashion Sourcing (below), ISTT (02), Italtan (11), Mimosa (05), Rolfes Leather Division (08), Pangea (OFC), S&V Calendar (07), S&V Directory (22), Southern African Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) (15), Stahl (12),.

 

 

Training cluster to close

Groot Brak River, W. Cape, SA – The Southern Cape Regional Footwear Cluster (SCRFC), which has been coordinating training activities for the entities which supply Bolton Footwear's Grasshoppers footwear, will be closing its doors in November, according to an email notification last week. No reason was given.

 

 

Directory and Calendar updates

The S&V Directory and the S&V Calendar are dynamic documents, undergoing ongoing constant updating. Readers are therefore advised to refer to them at least once a week.

 

Got anything you'd like to share?

Do you have any suggestions, comments or experiences about the industry that you'd like to share with the industry? - tony@svmag.co.za

 

04/10/1939: Basil Tannenbaum, XLNT Agencies, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
06/10/1998: Devan Kriel, Vellie Boutique, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
07/10/1969: Gunnar Halbich, Paul Moeller & Co, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/10/1970: Sharon Bekker, Prima Style, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/10/1943: Willie van Vuuren, Fergom (SA), Southport, KZN, SA.
08/10/1973: Robert O'Connell, Bader SA, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
09/10/1946: Yunus Nagdee, agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/10/1948: Ibrahim Shaikh, Hopewell Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/10/1957: RE Badenhorst, Vrystaat Huide & Velle, Kroonstad, Free State, SA.
09/10/1961: Richard Kushlick, Unique Feet, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/10/1971: Phoenix Wang, San Chang Import & Export, Estcourt, KZN, SA.
10/10/1943: Jamloot Bhagwandeen, retired, formerly Dick Whittington Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
10/10/1950: Allen Beckley, Naked Feet, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/10/1951: Paul Muir, Pasacojo Marketing, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
10/10/1968: Luke Barrett-Smith, Puma SA, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
10/10/1969: Nicole Benders, Prime Leathers, Pinetown, KZN, SA.

 

In Memoriam this week

06/10/2016: Ernie Aaron (b. 21/05/1922), agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
08/10/2011: Johannes Antonius Olde-Olthof (b. 11/10/1928), Tarzan Shoes, Tulbagh, W. Cape, SA.
08/10/2017: Michael Piccione (b. 27/03/1963), KMP Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
09/10/2015: Barry Furber, Furber & Whittle [closed], Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
09/10/2015: Steve Croudace (b. 22/06/1958), Leatherback Footwear, Pietermaritzburg, 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 ¥
2021/06/26 R16.88 R19.63 R14.14 R2.19
2021/07/03 R16.91 R19.70 R14.25 R2.20
2021/07/12 R17.04 R19.91 R14.35 R2.21
2021/07/17 R17.02 R19.85 R14.42 R2.22
2021/07/24 R17.48 R21.41 R14.85 R2.29
2021/07/31 R17.33 R20.30 R14.60 R2.26
2021/08/09 R17.33 R20.45 R14.76 R2.27
2021/08/14 R17.37 R20.42 R14.72 R2.27
2021/08/21 R17.88 R20.82 R15.28 R2.35
2021/08/28 R17.35 R20.24 R14.71 R2.27
2021/09/04 R17.00 R19.83 R14.31 R2.21
2021/09/13 R16.72 R19.61 R14.18 R2.19
2021/09/18 R17.28 R20.25 R14.74 R2.27
2021/09/27 R17.57 R20.60 R15.03 R2.32
2021/10/30 R17.24 R20.14 R14.87 R2.30

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

 


2. Botswana Pula (BWP)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

 
  Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥
2021/06/26 12.97 15.09 10.87 1.68
2021/07/03 12.95 15.09 10.91 1.68
2021/07/12 12.96 15.15 10.92 1.68
2021/07/17 12.95 15.11 10.97 1.69
2021/07/24 13.06 15.25 11.09 1.71
2021/07/31 13.20 15.47 11.12 1.72
2021/08/09 12.99 15.33 11.06 1.70
2021/08/14 13.12 15.43 11.13 1.71
2021/08/21 13.25 15.42 11.32 1.74
2021/08/28 13.23 15.44 11.22 1.73
2021/09/04 13.04 15.21 10.97 1.70
2021/09/13 12.89 15.11 10.93 1.69
2021/09/18 12.97 15.19 11.06 1.71
2021/09/27 13.03 15.28 11.15 1.72
2021/10/03 13.10 15.31 11.30 1.75


3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

 
  Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥
2021/06/26 961.88 1118.55 805.90 124.84
2021/07/03 958.45 1116.77 807.73 124.79
2021/07/12 952.21 1112.73 802.19 123.93
2021/07/17 955.84 1115.17 809.54 124.94
2021/07/24 955.43 1115.52 811.65 125.23
2021/07/31 965.02 1130.54 813.06 125.83
2021/08/09 957.51 1129.86 815.31 125.70
2021/08/14 960.30 1129.20 814.20 125.70
2021/08/21 952.51 1109.03 814.07 125.21
2021/08/28 960.60 1120.84 814.43 125.84
2021/09/04 967.79 1129.03 814.44 126.20
2021/09/13 958.66 1124.28 813.16 125.99
2021/09/18 952.25 1115.55 811.98 125.57
2021/09/27 952.23 1115.80 814.43 126.03
2021/10/03 947.33 1106.94 817.21 126.78


4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

 
  Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥
2021/06/26 27.04 31.46 22.66 3.51
2021/07/03 26.95 31.40 22.71 3.50
2021/07/12 26.89 31.42 22.65 3.49
2021/07/17 26.73 31.18 22.64 3.49
2021/07/24 24.77 28.92 21.04 3.24
2021/07/31 22.91 26.84 19.30 2.98
2021/08/09 22.63 26.70 19.27 2.97
2021/08/14 22.83 26.85 19.36 2.98
2021/08/21 22.20 25.85 18.97 2.91
2021/08/28 18.81 25.95 15.94 2.46
2021/09/04 19.22 22.43 16.18 2.50
2021/09/13 19.21 22.53 16.29 2.52
2021/09/18 19.29 22.59 16.44 2.54
2021/09/27 19.37 22.70 16.56 2.56
2021/10/03 19.48 22.77 16.81 2.60



5. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL$)

Source: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

 
  Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥ Official US$
2021/06/26 431.93 502.29 361.90 56.06 85.36
2021/07/03 429.42 500.36 361.90 55.91 85.42
2021/07/12 429.43 501.85 361.90 55.90 85.50
2021/07/17 427.41 498.50 361.90 55.85 85.50
2021/07/24 426.00 497.38 361.90 55.83 85.63
2021/07/31 429.54 503.21 361.90 56.00 85.64
2021/08/09 424.85 501.36 361.90 55.79 85.72
2021/08/14 426.81 501.91 361.90 55.87 85.74
2021/08/21 423.44 493.02 361.90 55.66 85.82
2021/08/28 426.85 498.05 361.90 55.92 85.90
2021/09/04 430.04 501.69 361.90 56.07 86.05
2021/09/13 426.71 500.48 361.90 56.08 86.21
2021/09/18 424.42 497.19 361.90 55.96 86.30
2021/09/27 423.13 495.86 361.90 56.01  
2021/10/03 419.52 490.20 361.90 87.66  

 

 

 

 

 

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (30 September 2021) - The current average hide price decreased by 28% to R6.40/kg from R8.89/kg a week ago. The current price is 34.7% lower than the average price a month ago and is 327% higher than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R6.25 Maximum price: R7.55 Please note, we have changed our methodology and price levels are not directly comparable to previous prices that we reported on. Our methodology weighs the prices we collect according to the number of hides they sell in a month. This is done to make it more representative of the prevailing market price. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. - Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist, and Nkhensani Mashimbyi, 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
2021/04/16 8.98 37.44 50.00
2021/04/22 8.37    
2021/04/29 8.98 40.96 62.00
2021/05/06 7.56 40.96 62.00
2021/05/24 7.82 40.83 61.67
2021/05/28 7.47    
2021/06/14 8.34 40.83 61.67
2021/06/24 8.31    
2021/07/02 8.25 42.21 66.00
2021/07/09 9.53 46.39 64.00
2021/07/16 8.17 39.00 61.00
2021/07/23 8.44 43.33 67.50
2021/07/30 7.57 39.00 61.00
2021/08/06 9.60 39.63 64.00
2021/08/12 9.93    
2021/08/23   41.40 64.00
2021/09/09 9.78    
2021/09/16 8.96    
2021/09/23 8.89    
2021/09/29 6.40 39.60 65.00
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:
Florsheim, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Distributor.
Footgear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Athleisure retailer.

 

Classified Adverts



Free State & Northern Cape agent

Corvari Footwear seeks an agent for the Free State and Northern Cape to market its Natural S

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

2022

2021

CLICK HERE FOR OLDER NEWSLETTERS

Footwear Industry Articles

  • Law firm files class action lawsuit against Crocs
    Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights firm, has initiated a class action lawsuit against Crocs, Inc., representing all purchasers of Crocs common stock between November 3, 2022, and October 28, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Crocs misled investors regarding its acquisition of HEYDUDE, a casual footwear brand.Key allegations include:1. ...more
  • Nostalgia: Hub Bijsterveld : Cheese & wine after a career solving consumer complaints
    Harare, Zimbabwe – I note Hub Bijsterveld's memorial (09 February) in the Newsletter. Just a snippet about him. He was one of the best, if not the best chemist in the whole of the worldwide Bata Shoe Organisation. We used to have regular annual "Chemeets" in various parts of the world for our Chemists and Hub stood ou ...more
  • Where are we heading as a society? From slip-on shoes to revolutionary shoelace solutions
     21 January 2025 – In a world increasingly defined by convenience and technology, even footwear reflects profound societal changes. The rise of slip-on shoes, led by innovators like Kizik, and the advent of transformative solutions such as Twirlys’ no-tie shoelaces highlight our collective pursuit of simplicity, efficienc ...more
MORE ARTICLES

Leather Industry Articles

  • Fish skin leather – ‘In the absence of local expertise, we’re doing it ourselves, and 2025 has begun swimmingly’
    7 Leagues is a Canadian fish skin leather tannery. CEO Tasha Nathanson previously wrote an article for S&V African Leather outlining the fish skin leather industry globally. 7 Leagues has been reinventing itself, as she explains below. You can also see more here: https://www.7leagues.com/ ...more
  • Studies in leather education
    The loss of much tradition-based training - such as the recent closure of ICLT – is a matter of concern, and can have serious effects that extend across the global leather sector. Nevertheless, there are two existing and updated studies available to help address these eventualities and minimise the impact of such closures.The first ...more
  • Audits and reality aren’t always the same thing
    On the last day of 2024 I read a very interesting article on Reuters’ website which I want to share with you hoping it is still available https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/inside-luxury-goods-broken-audit-system-2024-12-31/The article focusses on two important issues, being the lack of transparency of part of the ...more
MORE ARTICLES

PPE Industry Articles

MORE ARTICLES
© S&V Publications
×
X
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more
Accept