S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.44, November 3 2025
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Veldskoen: ‘Recovering, but US exports on hold’
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Veldskoen Shoes, which went into business rescue in July, “is trading much better than it was when we started”, BR practitioner Julian Empedocles, of Almaz Consulting, said on Friday.
“There’s been an amazing turnaround. I decided to move the business back from Woodstock to its original premises in Paarden Eiland, which is much better for walk in foot traffic. We’ve had a really good week this week with international tourists. It’s giving the business a lot of international exposure. There’s a good atmosphere, among staff and clients.”
He said online sales, mostly to South African customers, are the biggest source of sales, followed by tourists.
Veldskoen is also still exporting “to some fantastic resellers in Botswana and Europe.
But its exports to the United States, which were the main target previously, “are on hold”, he said. “We have to restructure ourselves locally first.”
There is no set period currently for the business rescue operation. “We want it to be as short as possible,” he said, “The aim is to restructure the company and hand it back to the board of directors when it is solvent and trading successfully.”
Veldskoen Shoes is a fully owned subsidiary of Veldskoen Capital (Pty) Ltd, which was placed in liquidation. The shareholding of Veldskoen Shoes is currently in the hands of the joint liquidators.
VF Corporation: North Face, Timberland up, Vans losses dropping
Denver, Colorado, USA (28 October 2025) – The North Face and Timberland grew +6% and +7% in the second quarter fiscal 2026 vs last year, while Vans revenue “sequentially improved to (9%) vs. LY or (11%) C$”, VF Corporation reported.
Bracken Darrell, President and CEO, said: "In Q2 we made further progress on our turnaround plan. We delivered broad-based growth for The North Face and Timberland, while continuing to moderate declines in Vans. We also announced the pending sale of Dickies for $600 million, enhancing our capacity to invest in the portfolio and drive shareholder returns. Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on generating value across our brands and returning the company to sustainable and profitable growth."
* Revenue of $2.8B, +2% vs. LY or (1%) C$
* Revenue (1%) C$ vs. LY, above guidance of (4%) to (2%) C$ vs. LY
* Q2’26 revenue reflects better-than-expected back-to-school results and early wholesale demand.
World cotton trade declined 4.1% in 2024/25, according to ICAC's 2025 World Cotton Trade Report
Washington, DC, U.S.A. (29 October 2025) – The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has released the 2025 World Cotton Trade Report, which covers trade developments in raw cotton since 1980. An annual publication, it provides analysis of world trade by region; import/export projections by country; matrices of trade flows; and seasonal estimates of export commitments to date.
Among the major trends it addresses from the 2024/25 season:
- World trade declined by 4% from the previous season to 9.4 million tonnes,
- Brazil remained the largest exporter and Bangladesh became the largest importer,
- The impact of major variables such as tariff escalations, cotton lint consumption, regulatory and market pressures, and the overall complexity of the cotton value chain.
While the global cotton and textile industry faces multiple challenges, there is reason for optimism, according to Parkhi Vats, ICAC Economic Affairs Officer and editor of the World Cotton Trade Report.
“As of October 2025, ICAC estimates that trade will increase in the 2025/26 season by 4% to 9.8 million tonnes, due to the positive expectation of improved consumption and imports from China, as well as the creation of new business relationships that are positive for cotton lint trade,” she said.
The 2025 World Cotton Trade Report is available for purchase on the ICAC website https://icac.org/publications/world-cotton-trade for $250.
In case you missed it!
The October issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine
S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol91 No10 October 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- Mizuno: New distributor plans to increase marketing, and diversification of sports categories.
- Tifosi Sports: Moving on after On.
- Mixed messages from Deckers Brands’ results.
07 School Shoes
- The basic that must be comfortable, last for a long time, and cost very little. Palm Footwear’s Rajeev Pattundeen explains how.
10 Insights by Tinashe Mandirahwe
- Are big shoe brands holding back better shoes?
- Skechers goes private amid rising tariffs.
14 Brand Protection
- In the first of a series, Strauss Daly Attorneys discusses protecting brands against imitations.
16 Noticeboard
- Appointment: BBF’s Ndlela Mazibuko will focus on customers.
- The Life of Brian: Back in the day: When overseas travel was a real trip. World class manufacturing was an eye-opener and a lesson, writes Brian Zyster.
- Obituary: Miles O’Brien, Sportshoe and Jordan Shoes – Some See the Crescent, He Saw the Whole of the Moon, by Nick Bryant.
21 Statistics
- Preliminary trade statistics August 2025
Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (15), East Asian Import & Export (09), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Haesloop Agencies (17), Kaytex Belts (11), Leather Finishing Products (13), Palm Footwear/Trustees (OFC), Saddler Belts (06), SAFLEC (16), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (10), Shotland Packaging (20), Vandan Engineering (05).
They Said It
"No photo. I have a voice for radio only." - Rajeev Pattundeen, Palm Footwear Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA. A good line, even if it is a non sequitur, and in the sense of being non-photogenic, not true, either.
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
Kyle Ballard, Value Chain Development Manager, Mr Price Group, Durban, KZN, South Africa
Birthdays this week
03/11/1976: Voden Wearne, Oden, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
03/11/1979: Orian Mendes, Shuler Enterprises, Harare, Zimbabwe.
04/11/1947: Greg Sadie, Desch SA, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
04/11/1960: Greg Bing, A.P. Jones, Fish Hoek, W. Cape, SA.
04/11/1962: Philip A. Carstens, Carstens’ Orthotic Laboratories, Durbanville, W. Cape, SA.
04/11/1977: Elma Wallis, SHEQ Safety, Randfontein, Gauteng, SA.
05/11/1988: Jacques van As, TST Agencies, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
06/11/1963: Kamlesh Chagan, American Clothing/The Vault, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
07/11/1945: Garth Ribbink, A. Greenaways Natal, Durban, KZN, SA.
07/11/1966: Leslie Govender, Godvast, Durban, KZN, SA.
07/11/1971: Ajay Singh, United Agencies, Durban, KZN, SA.
08/11/1959: Ashmore Matemera, Finnemore Enterprises, Harare, Zimbabwe.
08/11/1967: I.S.W. Smit, Clarens Curio, Clarens, Free State, SA.
08/11/1973: Wayne Roos, Matas Import & Export cc, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/11/1974: Louis de Sousa, Price Rite, Welkom, Free State, SA.
08/11/1987: Avinaash Piyarilal, Mr Price, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/11/1938: Johnny Makrides, Intershu Distributors, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/11/1963: Sanjay Pattundeen, Caprini Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/11/1972: Chrisi Janse van Vuuren, Chrisi Artwear, Harrismith, Free State, SA.
09/11/1977: Darrell Naidoo, Sidekicks, Alberton, Gauteng, SA.
In memoriam this week
03/11/2007: Ahmed ‘Bull’ Patel, hand stitching CMT operator, Greytown, KZN, SA.
03/11/2010: Grahame Steele (b. 17/04/1929), Budget Footwear (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
04/11/1998: Roy Schefermann, Futura Footwear (now Bata SA), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
05/11/1998: Bob Gould, SB Agencies (closed), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
05/11/2013: Brian de Bruin (b. 26/09/1941), DB Components (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
05/11/2016: Byron Ludlow (b. 29/03/1951), Michelle Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
07/11/2004: Ralph Mossop (b. 04/12/1913), Mossop & Son (now Mossop Western Leathers), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/11/1993: Roy Lagerwall, Saxian Trading, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/11/2004: Trevor Rink (b. 15/08/1947), Cuthberts/Boyman’s (both closed), Johannesburg, Gauteng, 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
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 ¥ |
| 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 |
| 04/08/2025 |
R20.79 |
R23.87 |
R17.98 |
R 2.50 |
| 09/08/2025 |
R20.62 |
R23.85 |
R17.74 |
R 2.49 |
| 17/08/2025 |
R20.59 |
R23.85 |
R17.60 |
R 2.45 |
| 24/08/2025 |
R20.44 |
R23.55 |
R17.43 |
R 2.43 |
| 30/08/2025 |
R20.62 |
R23.83 |
R17.65 |
R 2.47 |
| 06/09/2025 |
R20.59 |
R23.70 |
R17.57 |
R 2.46 |
| 13/09/2025 |
R20.38 |
R23.54 |
R17.37 |
R 2.43 |
| 20/09/2025 |
R20.36 |
R23.38 |
R17.33 |
R 2.43 |
| 27/09/2025 |
R20.30 |
R23.23 |
R17.34 |
R 2.43 |
| 04/10/2025 |
R20.21 |
R23.20 |
R17.22 |
R 2.41 |
| 11/10/2025 |
R20.26 |
R23.32 |
R17.46 |
R 2.44 |
| 20/10/2025 |
R20.19 |
R23.22 |
R17.31 |
R 2.43 |
| 25/10/2025 |
R20.10 |
R23.00 |
R17.25 |
R 2.42 |
| 01/11/2025 |
R20.06 |
R22.78 |
R17.32 |
R 2.43 |
2. Botswana Pula
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 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 |
| 04/08/2025 |
15.75 |
18.09 |
13.62 |
1.89 |
| 09/08/2025 |
16.58 |
19.17 |
14.26 |
1.98 |
| 17/08/2025 |
16.57 |
19.22 |
14.18 |
1.97 |
| 24/08/2025 |
16.89 |
19.45 |
14.40 |
2.01 |
| 30/08/2025 |
16.78 |
19.40 |
14.36 |
2.01 |
| 06/09/2025 |
16.45 |
18.93 |
14.04 |
1.96 |
| 13/09/2025 |
16.67 |
19.26 |
14.21 |
1.99 |
| 20/09/2025 |
16.63 |
19.10 |
14.16 |
1.99 |
| 27/09/2025 |
15.68 |
17.94 |
13.40 |
1.87 |
| 04/10/2025 |
16.58 |
19.03 |
14.12 |
1.98 |
| 11/10/2025 |
16.41 |
18.89 |
14.14 |
1.98 |
| 20/10/2025 |
16.57 |
19.06 |
14.21 |
1.99 |
| 25/10/2025 |
16.40 |
18.77 |
14.08 |
1.97 |
| 01/11/2025 |
16.55 |
18.80 |
14.29 |
2.01 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)
Source: https://www.rbm.mw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 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 |
| 04/08/2025 |
2043.89 |
2346.49 |
1717.02 |
98.34 |
| 09/08/2025 |
2059.63 |
2374.43 |
1717.02 |
99.76 |
| 17/08/2025 |
2063.52 |
2395.47 |
1717.02 |
100.69 |
| 24/08/2025 |
2050.79 |
2370.89 |
1717.02 |
99.83 |
| 30/08/2025 |
2062.64 |
2386.46 |
1717.02 |
99.78 |
| 06/09/2025 |
2064.05 |
2381.33 |
1717.02 |
99.85 |
| 13/09/2025 |
2074.13 |
2396.36 |
1717.02 |
101.76 |
| 20/09/2025 |
2082.09 |
2388.75 |
1717.02 |
101.85 |
| 27/09/2025 |
2065.29 |
2361.70 |
1717.02 |
101.40 |
| 04/10/2025 |
2072.36 |
2375.84 |
1717.02 |
102.32 |
| 11/10/2025 |
2046.37 |
2350.20 |
1717.02 |
102.44 |
| 20/10/2025 |
Not available this morning |
| 25/10/2025 |
2052.20 |
2355.86 |
1717.02 |
102.09 |
| 01/11/2025 |
2046.37 |
2326.15 |
1717.02 |
102.32 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)
Source: https://www.boz.zm/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 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 |
| 04/08/2025 |
Website would not open this morning |
| 09/08/2025 |
27.01 |
31.13 |
23.18 |
1.30 |
| 17/08/2025 |
27.13 |
31.48 |
23.21 |
1.31 |
| 24/08/2025 |
26.97 |
31.16 |
23.22 |
1.31 |
| 30/08/2025 |
27.47 |
31.69 |
23.55 |
1.32 |
| 06/09/2025 |
28.03 |
32.32 |
23.87 |
1.36 |
| 13/09/2025 |
27.88 |
32.25 |
23.81 |
1.36 |
| 20/09/2025 |
27.79 |
32.85 |
23.62 |
1.35 |
| 27/09/2025 |
27.79 |
31.82 |
23.77 |
1.36 |
| 04/10/2025 |
27.90 |
31.98 |
23.77 |
1.37 |
| 11/10/2025 |
26.22 |
30.10 |
22.66 |
1.31 |
| 20/10/2025 |
26.44 |
30.37 |
22.65 |
1.30 |
| 25/10/2025 |
25.81 |
29.69 |
22.25 |
1.28 |
| 01/11/2025 |
25.62 |
29.06 |
22.17 |
1.27 |
5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US$ |
ZAR |
| 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 |
| 04/08/2025 |
ZIG 31.02 |
ZIG 35.58 |
ZIG 26.79 |
ZIG 0.67 |
| 04/08/2025 |
Website would not open on Saturday |
| 17/08/2025 |
ZIG 31.17 |
ZIG 36.22 |
ZIG 26.78 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 24/08/2025 |
ZIG 30.99 |
ZIG 35.83 |
ZIG 26.75 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 30/08/2025 |
ZIG 31.20 |
ZIG 36.10 |
ZIG 26.75 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 06/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.17 |
ZIG 35.93 |
ZIG 26.71 |
ZIG 0.66 |
| 13/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.35 |
ZIG 36.23 |
ZIG 26.72 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 20/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.28 |
ZIG 35.99 |
ZIG 26.56 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 27/09/2025 |
ZIG 31.03 |
ZIG 35.48 |
ZIG 26.57 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 04/10/2025 |
ZIG 31.23 |
ZIG 35.81 |
ZIG 26.65 |
ZIG 0.64 |
| 11/10/2025 |
ZIG 30.91 |
ZIG 35.55 |
ZIG 26.71 |
ZIG 0.64 |
| 20/10/2025 |
ZIG 31.06 |
ZIG 35.76 |
ZIG 26.61 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 25/10/2025 |
ZIG 30.77 |
ZIG 35.30 |
ZIG 26.51 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 01/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.52 |
ZIG 34.69 |
ZIG 26.38 |
ZIG 0.65 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (31 October 2025) – The current average hide price decreased by 1.33% to R2.30/kg from R2.33/kg a week ago. The current price is 1.21% lower than the average price a month ago and was 18.0% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 Maximum price: R2.50. 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:
Ikhaya Elite, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Leather goods retailer.
Ikwetta Holdings Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya. Leather goods and footwear brand.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Temu/Shein – new duties in place
Consumers ‘cash-strapped’
Supreme Hat acquires Durburg
Death notice - Mike Lambrakis
VF Corporation ‘making progress’
In case you missed it! : The October issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.45, November 04 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Busby creditors back rescue plan
Business
- Botswana
-- Not enough customers
- Namibia
-- Local consumers appreciate quality
- South Africa
-- 'It's next year that concerns me'
-- Focusing on repairs, smaller items
-- Good, but overall the year will be ordinary
Oops: Correction to OR Leathers article
Death notice: David Berry
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.44, Nov 2, 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 10 November, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 07 November.
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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