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S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.30, July 28 2025

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

 

Puma global sales down, Puma SA ‘facing different issues’

Puma global last week reported a 2% sales decline in its preliminary second quarter 2025 results, citing “the implications from U.S. tariffs”, exchange rates, and sales declines in its major markets.
     Puma Sports SA MD Luke Barrett-Smith said the local economy was poor, but that “Puma ZA results don’t mirror global, and currently we have a different trajectory”.
     He said local sourcing had “not been affected”.

 

 

Stock Exchange News Service

AVI Limited: Extracts from voluntary trading statement and update for the year ended 30 June 2025

Food up, fashion down

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (25 July 2025) – AVI's financial results for the year ended 30 June 2025 improved despite the prior year's 21,7% annual operating profit growth and exceptional 27,8% prior year's second semester profit growth. This financial year's second semester's operating profit growth was 6.4% despite the high prior year base. The consumer environment was challenging throughout this financial year with anaemic demand in many key categories.

Group revenue increased by 1.0% underpinned by selling price increases to ameliorate input cost pressures partially offset by lower sales volumes in all our categories. The Group's consolidated gross profit grew ahead of revenue supported by improved gross profit margins in our beverage categories with gross margins across the remainder of the business effectively managed. Despite increased investment in marketing activity to support our brands and innovation, and once-off costs of R42,0 million associated with restructuring initiatives, selling and administrative expenses were well contained ending marginally lower than last year. This together with the improved gross profit, supported growth in the Group's operating profit of 7.8%. The Group's operating profit margin was 6.7% higher than the prior year.
     Indigo had a difficult year with the operating profit performance negatively impacted by aggressive competition in the deodorant body spray category. Costs were well contained and benefitted from restructuring initiatives implemented last year, however, this was not sufficient to ameliorate the impact of lower revenue.
     Footwear and apparel operating profit ended lower with the challenging first semester further impacted by a difficult second semester. Demand was subdued and impacted by widespread discounting by apparel and footwear retailers and exacerbated by supply chain disruptions in the first semester impacting sales in SPITZ's critical December trading month. The second half performance was further impacted by the decision to close the Green Cross retail business which required increased discounting, with lower gross margins, and the incurrence of once-off closure costs.

 

 

Mr Price Group Limited: Extracts from voluntary trading update for the 13 weeks ended 28 June 2025

Market share gain

Durban, KZN, SA (24 July 2025) – During the first quarter from 30 March 2025 to 28 June 2025 of the financial year ending 28 March 2026, Mr Price Group’s retail sales increased by 6.3% to R9.0bn and comparable store sales grew by 3.0%.
Market share gains of 10bps were recorded during the period as the group outperformed the total comparable market’s retail sales growth, according to the Retailers’ Liaison Committee (RLC). The group has gained more than R300m in market share from competitors over the last 12 months, highlighting the effectiveness of its differentiated fashion-value offering.

Group Q1 Performance
The group reported in its FY2025 annual results disclosure that in the first two months of FY2026, retail sales grew by 11.6% (April +11.3%, May +11.9%), resulting in market share gains of 20bps.
     This performance was positively impacted by the timing shift of Easter holidays into April and strong sales growth in May due to a timeous winter season against a weak base of negative sales growth (pre-election consumer restraint in 2024).
     In June 2025, RLC retail sales for the total market declined. The group recorded a similar trend with retail sales decreasing 5.1% against a firm base of +12.7%. The group’s strong performance in June 2024 was primarily due to the late onset of winter which created pent-up customer demand in the first two weeks of the month and was further buoyed by the sharp rise in consumer confidence following the election outcome. The group anticipated the softer sales growth for June 2025, however the impact of the shift in school holidays from the last two weeks into July was greater than expected. Higher markdown activity was required, which was observed across a highly promotional sector. This was a significant factor in the Q1 Gross Profit (GP) margin decreasing 20bps. The group anticipates its H1 GP margin to remain in line with the prior year.
     The group exited the winter season clean and is comfortable with its closing stock position.
     South African retail sales grew 6.0% to R8.3bn and comparable sales increased 2.6%. Non-South African corporate-owned store sales increased 10.4%. Total store sales increased 6.3% while online sales increased 7.6%. Online sales contribution grew to 2.4% of total retail sales during the Period, with particularly strong growth in the Homeware segment. Other income decreased 2.5% to R312.6m.
     Group retail selling price (RSP) inflation of 3.1% was well managed to ensure that customers continue to receive superior value and total unit sales increased 3.2% to 67.6m.
     The store footprint increased by 31 stores (net) and the group’s total footprint expanded to 3 061 stores. Trading space increased 3.7% on a weighted average basis.
     Cash sales, which constitute 87.5% of total retail sales, increased 6.3%. Credit sales increased 6.1% as the group’s strict credit granting criteria continued.

Retail sales in the Apparel segment grew 6.0% during the quarter, gaining 20bps of market share. Comparable store sales for the Period increased 2.6% and unit sales increased 3.2%. Mr Price Apparel and Studio 88 recorded strong double-digit growth in April and May, however sales growth in June was impacted by particularly strong base effects for these two chains. Power Fashion continued its trend of delivering double-digit sales growth, and along with Miladys gained market share in all months of the quarter, while Mr Price Sport’s performance momentum continued.

 

In case you missed it!

The July issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine

S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol91 No7 July 2025

IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Upfront
- Malawi restriction on imported security boots ‘will help local factory, but bank loans still difficult’.

04 Interview
- ‘New wave’ for Boardriders – GM Mohamed Dewan explains.

06 Retail
- Vukile Retail Academy expands with launch of new emporium at Daveyton Mall.

09 Trademarks
- Appeal by SA Enrico Coveri trademark holder to stop import of Italian Enrico Coveri footwear as counterfeit dismissed.

12 Headlines with Tinashe Mandirahwe
- Clarks cuts prices by up to 60% in the UK – smart move or sign of trouble?
- Inspired or appropriated? Prada’s sandals, Maharashtra’s craft, and the call for recognition.
- Freebird Shoes feels the squeeze – and it’s a sign of the times.
- When a $25 hoodie causes a $ million lawsuit – the story of Lululemon vs. Costco.

13 Noticeboard
- Back in the day: When overseas travel was a real trip, Part III. Brian Zyster recalls photographing shop windows in the 1980s and 90s – a game of cat and mouse.
- Obituary: David Maisey – a member of the original agency Bomb Squad, by Brian Carmichael.


Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (02), BBF Safety Group (05), East Asian Import & Export (08), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (OFC), Haesloop Agencies (11), Kaytex Belts (13), Leather Finishing Products (15), Saddler Belts (03), SAFLEC (09), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (04), Shotland Packaging (17).

 

They Said It

"The reclusive French inventor of the sandal – Philippe Philoppe." - Shared with me by Richard Kushlick of Footwear Education & Training. So it MUST be true.

 

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

 

New subscribers last week

Stuart, Brightwater, Durban, South Africa
Ezrom Thaoge, Entrepreneur, Midpoint Centre of Entrepreneurship (Pty) Ltd, Gauteng, South Africa

 

Birthdays this week

28/07/1950: Charles Stuart White, retired, formerly commission agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
28/07/1970: David Platt, formerly Simitri Specialty Chemicals [closed], Kempton Park, Gauteng, SA.
28/07/1972: Linda Otto, African Leather & Skins, Paarl, W. Cape, SA.
29/07/1962: Graydon Cock, emigrated, formerly Eddels, Bata SA and Puma SA.
29/07/1965: Ashley Pillay, National Bargaining Council, Durban, KZN, SA.
30/07/1959: Alan Munsamy, NULAW, Durban, KZN, SA.
30/07/1949: Gerald Batt, retired, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
30/07/1973: Frankie Sequeira, Novel’s Outfitters & Shoe Store, De Aar, N. Cape, SA.
31/07/1940: David Berry, retired to Underberg, formerly Rockshoes [closed], Pinetown, KZN, SA.
31/07/1969: Mark Dicks, emigrated, formerly Prime Leathers, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
01/08/1935: Bev Jack, retired, formerly Bata Zimbabwe and LAIFEZ, Harare, Zimbabwe.
02/08/1954: Brian Haarburger, MD, Paris Belts, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
02/08/1946: Burt Coburn, ?, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
02/08/1969: Sonja Diedericks, Freestyle, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
02/08/1971: JJ du Plessis, Strassbergers, Clanwilliam, W. Cape, SA.
03/08/1941: Rolf Haesloop, retired, formerly Haesloop Agencies, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
03/08/1972: Fazel Allie, Arma Trading, Botswana.
03/08/1928: Gerry Elder, retired, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.

 

In memoriam this week

29/07/1993: JA "Pat" O'Brien, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
29/07/2003: Dennis South, (b. 26/12/1923), Cuthberts (closed), Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
29/07/2010: Eric Harvey (b. 09/02/1925), Barker Footwear (now Bolton Footwear), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
31/07/2022: Graeme Katz (b. 05/02/1969), Treets Footwear (closed), Katz Footwear, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
01/08/2023: Michelle Di Lembo (b. 17/08/1939), Villani Shoes (closed), Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
02/08/2022: David Tosh (b. 13/02/1954), Shoe Corporation, La Nuova, Adorable and Bona Shoes (all closed) in Durban, KZN, SA and Harrismith, Free State, SA, and Rockport, Lisbon, Portugal. Died in Glasgow, Scotland.
03/08/1999: Otto Guldimann (b. 2/10/1922), Cellini (closed), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
03/08/1992: Malcolm Kueghn, Hi-Tec Sports, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
03/08/2007: Noel Amery (b. 05/09/1944), Western Tanning and Michelle Footwear, Durban, Clarens Leather (closed), Clarens, Free State, 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.

 

Directory entries updated last week

Glencarol (Pty) Ltd, Hammanskraal, Gauteng, SA.

 

 

 

 

Exchange rates

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

1. SA Rand (ZAR)/Lesotho Loti (LSL)/Namibian Dollar (NAD)/Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)

Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/

Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥
01/03/2025 R19.38 R23.50 R18.68 R 2.56
08/03/2025 R19.73 R23.53 R18.22 R 2.52
15/03/2025 R19.78 R23.49 R18.16 R 2.51
22/03/2025 R19.71 R23.54 R18.22 R 2.51
29/03/2025 R19.88 R23.77 R18.34 R 2.52
05/04/2025 R20.93 R24.73 R19.10 R 2.62
12/04/2025 R21.73 R25.03 R19.13 R 2.62
18/04/2025 R21.44 R25.00 R18.83 R 2.57
26/04/2025 R21.23 R24.85 R18.65 R 2.56
03/05/2025 R20.79 R24.42 R18.40 R 2.53
10/05/2025 R20.47 R24.20 R18.19 R 2.51
17/05/2025 R20.14 R23.96 R18.04 R 2.50
24/05/2025 R20.28 R24.12 R17.84 R 2.48
02/06/2025 R20.42 R24.23 R17.89 R 2.48
05/06/2025 R20.26 R24.06 R17.78 R 2.47
14/06/2025 R20.73 R24.35 R17.94 R 2.49
21/06/2025 R20.75 R24.23 R18.01 R 2.50
28/06/2025 R20.88 R24.46 R17.82 R 2.48
05/07/2025 R20.70 R24.00 R17.58 R 2.45
12/07/2025 R20.93 R24.18 R17.90 R 2.49
19/07/2025 R20.60 R23.78 R17.72 R 2.46
28/07/2025 R20.82 R23.90 R17.81 R 2.48


2. Botswana Pula

Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/

Euro € GBP £ US $ CNY ¥
01/03/2025 14.29 17.32 13.77 1.89
08/03/2025 14.78 17.63 13.65 1.88
15/03/2025 14.83 17.62 13.62 1.88
22/03/2025 14.74 17.60 13.62 1.87
29/03/2025 14.71 17.57 13.58 1.87
05/04/2025 15.17 17.92 13.85 1.90
12/04/2025 15.78 18.18 13.90 1.90
18/04/2025 15.67 18.27 13.76 1.88
26/04/2025 15.67 18.33 13.77 1.89
03/05/2025 15.39 18.08 13.62 1.87
10/05/2025 15.28 18.06 13.58 1.87
17/05/2025 15.11 17.98 13.54 1.87
24/05/2025 15.34 18.26 13.49 1.87
02/06/2025 15.30 18.16 13.40 1.86
05/06/2025 15.28 18.15 13.41 1.86
14/06/2025 15.46 18.16 13.38 1.86
21/06/2025 15.43 18.02 13.39 1.86
28/06/2025 15.60 18.27 13.31 1.85
05/07/2025 15.58 18.07 13.23 1.84
12/07/2025 14.77 17.07 12.64 1.76
19/07/2025 16.22 18.72 13.95 1.94
28/07/2025 15.81 18.16 13.53 1.88


3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)

Source: https://www.rbm.mw/

Euro € GBP £ US $ ZAR
01/03/2025 1836.44 2224.46 1717.02 95.68
08/03/2025 1912.31 2278.93 1717.02 97.50
15/03/2025 1917.62 2286.82 1717.02 96.82
22/03/2025 1916.03 2286.89 1717.02 97.27
29/03/2025 1907.36 2287.95 1717.02 97.04
05/04/2025 1956.35 2309.52 1717.02 93.40
12/04/2025 2004.45 2308.11 1717.02 91.33
18/04/2025 2009.58 2339.94 1717.02 93.66
26/04/2025 2006.57 2351.62 1717.02 94.02
03/05/2025 2002.68 2353.74 1717.02 96.02
10/05/2025 1988.00 2342.77 1717.02 97.06
17/05/2025 1983.41 2357.10 1717.02 98.16
24/05/2025 2000.56 2377.61 1717.02 98.49
02/06/2025 2017.01 2393.35 1717.02 98.73
05/06/2025 2022.14 2396.01 1717.02 99.61
14/06/2025 2040.88 2395.83 1717.02 98.50
21/06/2025 2037.88 2384.86 1717.02 98.25
28/06/2025 2070.95 2429.43 1717.02 99.17
05/07/2025 2082.80 2416.70 1717.02 100.70
12/07/2025 2065.11 2393.71 1717.02 99.44
19/07/2025 2054.50 2372.84 1717.02 99.43
28/07/2025 2072.89 2372.13 1717.02 99.60


4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)

Source: https://www.boz.zm/

Euro € GBP £ US $ ZAR
01/03/2025 29.67 35.91 28.51 1.54
08/03/2025 31.07 36.95 28.59 1.57
15/03/2025 31.17 37.02 28.61 1.57
22/03/2025 31.21 37.25 28.82 1.58
29/03/2025 30.80 36.95 28.55 1.57
05/04/2025 30.69 36.18 27.84 1.46
12/04/2025 32.17 37.01 28.19 1.46
18/04/2025 28.42 37.65 32.29 1.51
26/04/2025 31.80 37.33 28.02 1.48
03/05/2025 31.59 37.06 27.84 1.51
10/05/2025 29.81 35.19 26.47 1.45
17/05/2025 30.02 35.64 26.82 1.48
24/05/2025 30.95 36.89 27.34 1.52
02/06/2025 30.13 35.83 26.59 1.48
05/06/2025 28.79 34.19 25.29 1.42
14/06/2025 28.00 32.89 24.32 1.34
21/06/2025 26.59 31.18 23.10 1.28
28/06/2025 27.76 32.49 23.66 1.32
05/07/2025 28.57 33.11 24.25 1.37
12/07/2025 27.16 31.38 23.24 1.29
19/07/2025 26.77 30.91 22.95 1.29
28/07/2025 27.37 31.38 23.36 1.31



5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)

Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/

Euro € GBP £ US$ ZAR
01/03/2025 ZIG 27.59 ZIG 33.42 ZIG 26.56 ZIG 0.69
08/03/2025 ZIG 28.79 ZIG 34.32 ZIG 26.64 ZIG 0.68
15/03/2025 ZIG 28.91 ZIG 34.51 ZIG 26.66 ZIG 0.68
22/03/2025 ZIG 28.90 ZIG 34.52 ZIG 26.70 ZIG 0.68
29/03/2025 ZIG 28.85 ZIG 34.60 ZIG 26.74 ZIG 0.68
05/04/2025 ZIG 29.68 ZIG 35.06 ZIG 26.78 ZIG 0.70
12/04/2025 ZIG 30.29 ZIG 34.88 ZIG 26.81 ZIG 0.72
18/04/2025 ZIG 30.44 ZIG 35.41 ZIG 26.79 ZIG 0.71
26/04/2025 ZIG 30.38 ZIG 35.62 ZIG 26.80 ZIG 0.70
03/05/2025 ZIG 30.33 ZIG 35.71 ZIG 26.81 ZIG 0.68
10/05/2025 ZIG 30.11 ZIG 35.49 ZIG 26.84 ZIG 0.68
17/05/2025 ZIG 30.11 ZIG 35.79 ZIG 26.86 ZIG 0.67
24/05/2025 ZIG 30.45 ZIG 36.18 ZIG 26.89 ZIG 0.66
02/06/2025 ZIG 30.60 ZIG 36.31 ZIG 26.92 ZIG 0.66
05/06/2025 ZIG 30.79 ZIG 36.54 ZIG 26.94 ZIG 0.65
14/06/2025 ZIG 31.06 ZIG 36.50 ZIG 26.97 ZIG 0.66
21/06/2025 ZIG 31.10 ZIG 36.42 ZIG 26.99 ZIG 0.66
28/06/2025 ZIG 31.48 ZIG 36.97 ZIG 26.93 ZIG 0.66
05/07/2025 ZIG 31.68 ZIG 36.78 ZIG 26.89 ZIG 0.65
12/07/2025 ZIG 31.35 ZIG 36.40 ZIG 26.83 ZIG 0.66
19/07/2025 ZIG 31.13 ZIG 35.96 ZIG 26.80 ZIG 0.66
28/07/2025 ZIG 31.45 ZIG 35.98 ZIG 26.79 ZIG 0.66

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

 

 

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (25 July 2025) – The current average hide price decreased by 0.03% to R2.4697/kg from R2.4704/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.27% lower than the average price a month ago and was 11.4% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.00 Maximum price: R2.90. Please note: 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, Nkhensani Mashimbyi, agricultural economist, and Zama Sangweni, agricultural economist, ABSA group.

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:

High Class Shoes cc, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA. Shoe retailer.
Highveld Taxidermy (Pty) Ltd, Erasmia, Gauteng, SA. Taxidermy.

 


CLASSIFIED ADVERTS




Corrida Shoes

We are seeking an experienced CAD Operator with at least 5 years’ NAXOS experience who is well-seasoned in the shoe manufacturing industry. Candidates must be deadline driven with the ability to work under pressure and deliver on time whilst being quality conscience and meticulous. This position calls for a confident decision maker and problem solver. Someone who is highly dedicated and passionate about shoe making and design!

Candidates must know and understand: 

  • How to measure last increments and apply to NAXOS
  • Grading
  • Sample chasing
  • Different types of restrictions on NAXOS
  • How to put shoes, boots and sandals together
  • How to inspect quality
  • FC4 cutting procedures
  • ZUND and the cutting of markers and knife copies
  • Sole, Last and mould development
  • Standards and how to digitize and dissect standards

Remuneration: Commensurate with experience

Please submit your CV to Lisa Ramluggan (HR) by 25th July 2025, either hand delivered or email to hr@corridashoes.co.za If you have not heard back from us within two weeks of your application, please deem your application unsuccessful.

Corrida (PTY) Ltd is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and this position is an employment equity position and open to such applications.

 




 

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Hotter to resume wholesale in SA

'Pre-election drop in demand still there'

Hoka focuses on wholesale expansion as key retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods and JD Sports add inventory

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.31, July 29 2024

 

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

Retail last week
- Soon there'll be opportunities for the strong
- Better than expected
- Big ticket items hardest hit

Counterfeit smuggler sentenced

Stock Exchange News Service (SENS) - Pepkor trading update
- Woolworths trading update for 52 weeks

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.30, July 27, 2020

 

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

All the past S&V Weekly Newsletters from January 2016 onwards are available in the newsletter archive.
VIEW THE ARCHIVE - CLICK HERE

 

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: Monday 4 August, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 1 August.

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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