S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.47, November 24 2025
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Shein has a surprising new shoe partner – the 200-year-old Clarks label
From Footwear News (18 November 2025)
In the Americas, the shoe brand has recently expanded to Shop Simon and Walmart, with Target joining the line up in December.
Clarks is doubling down on its digital presence with a number of new launches on online marketplaces around the world.
And some of the U.K.-based footwear company’s new partners, including Shein, TikTok Shop, Walmart and Target, might be a bit unexpected. The company said that these marketplaces “will help Clarks reach new consumers and make it easier for them to discover and buy its products online.”
In the U.K., Clarks has recently gone live on Shein and Secret Sales, and across Europe, the brand will expand onto Secret Sales Netherlands and Dress for Less before the end of the year.
As for the Americas, Clarks continues to build momentum in the digital segment. Already established on eBay for five years, the shoe brand has recently expanded to Shop Simon, Shein, and Walmart, with Target joining the line up in December.
Gary Champion, president of Clarks Americas, told FN exclusively that the move is meant to meet consumers where they are shopping.
“Clarks has always been able to offer footwear to a broad range of consumers through a broad range of distribution points,” Champion said. “As the retail landscape has evolved, so has the consumer.”
Champion did admit that selling on marketplaces “bring about inherent risks to any brand,” but that consumers are looking to these outlets to shop even more these days.
“By selling directly through those marketplaces, we can control the assortment being offered, the feel of the brand experience and significantly reduce the risk of price compression,” the executive noted.
This expansion into marketplaces follows the brand’s September announcement of its first owned digital marketplace in the UK, set to launch in early 2026 on Clarks.com. The new platform will host multiple trusted brands alongside Clarks, offering customers greater choice and convenience, the company said.
In addition, Clarks continues to build presence on TikTok’s shopping platform. Launching in Singapore and Malaysia in November 2024, Clarks’ TikTok Shop has now expanded to the UK and Americas, with Europe to follow in 2026.
Mr Price interim results 27 September 2025
Consumers continue to seek lower prices
Durban, KZN, SA (20 November 2025) – Revenue for the period rose by 5.4% to R18.6 billion (R17.6 billion) with profit before finance costs and finance income ending 5.7% higher at R2.1 billion (R2.0 billion). Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent increased by 6.7% to R1.3 billion (R1.2 billion). Additionally, headline earnings per share was up 6.5% to 513c per share (481.8c per share).
Notice was hereby given that an interim gross cash dividend of 323.20 cents per share was declared for the 26 weeks ended 27 September 2025, a 6.5% increase against the prior year. As the dividend has been declared from income reserves, shareholders, unless exempt or who qualify for a reduced withholding tax rate, will receive a net dividend of 258.56 cents per share. The dividend withholding tax rate is 20%.
The operating environment in South Africa has continued to mirror the volatility of the global economy. GDP growth improved in Q2 2025, up 0.8% from the 0.1% reported in Q1 2025. However, these levels are not supportive of creating a sufficiently buoyant economy to enable strong business growth. There have been some areas of improvement under the government of national unity, but more significant progress is required of national structural reforms to stimulate job creation and create more sustainable levels of economic growth.
The outlook for the consumer environment is fragile in the short-term, with hopeful improvement in 2026 supported by a lower inflationary and interest rate environment. Volatility in spending patterns are likely to persist as the monthly window for consumer spending is limited by constrained disposable income levels. Increasing food inflation and divergence in discretionary spending will likely place additional drain on share of wallets.
Consumers have become increasingly value-seeking and the group's diversified portfolio of brands remain well placed in their customer positioning. Mr Price Apparel remains the most shopped apparel retailer in South Africa (MAPS 2025) and leads the Fashion-value matrix (Borderless Access), highlighting its differentiated fashion and accessible pricing. Mr Price Apparel, Mr Price Sport and Mr Price Home reported the highest brand equity in their respective segments, a leading metric for brand health and customer affinity. Power Fashion reported the highest increase in brand equity, testament to its successful store roll-out strategy and customer acquisition performance.
The group's investment into its brand strength and omni-channel platforms keep it closely aligned with its customers' needs. Its ongoing merchandise execution, focusing on delivering affordable fashion trends at high volumes, supported by leading inventory management and an agile supply chain, has enabled it to deliver consistent earnings growth. Its 3-year HEPS CAGR remains well ahead of the competitor set.
The base becomes increasingly more challenging in the remainder of the financial year, due to the two-pot withdrawals and combined with improved consumer affordability (lowering inflation and interest rate cuts) which supported increased consumer expenditure ahead of the festive season in the prior year. Sales calls ahead of these key months in 2025 have accounted for these factors and the broader macroeconomic conditions. Significant improvements in the operational capacity of the Durban port have positively impacted stock-flow and inventory management ahead of the key trading months. Retail sales in the first 7 weeks of H2 were up 3.3% against a firm base of 12.3%, with momentum improving from October to November.
As has been previously communicated, considerable progress has been made in the group's strategic research informing capital allocation decisions for future investment. This includes the evaluation of organic and acquisitive growth opportunities in existing and other high-potential markets.
They Said It
"I totally agree with Peter Maree, the SA footwear manufactures supply chain isn’t dying, it’s almost dead. Garth has stuck it out with his roots running very deep in the footwear industry. I’ve been 34 years in the industry, but I first met Garth when I was still in school and he came over to my dad’s house one afternoon. Well done Garth for keeping the suppliers represented through good times and the bad!" - Tony Vaubell, Quality Team Leader at Mr Price, Durban, KZN, SA, reacting to last week’s They Said It in which Garth Ribbink of A. Greenaways (Natal) was praised for his long and exemplary service to footwear manufacturers.
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
Joshua, National Sales Manager, Implus Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
Birthdays this week
24/11/1955: Surie Mistry, Super Star Fashions, Vereeniging, Gauteng, SA.
25/11/1952: Elaine Botha, Vellie Shoppe, Heidelberg, Gauteng, SA.
25/11/1972: Fiona Dale, AFD Industries, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
25/11/1977: Wayne Hockly, Sondor Industries, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
26/11/????: Ed Duthie, retired, formerly Bata Zimbabwe.
26/11/1953: Gerry du Toit, retired, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA, formerly EVA Components, Durban, KZN.
26/11/1967: Preggie Govender, Dynamic Engineering, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/11/1968: Gordon Stokes, Hi-Tec Sports Distributors (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W.Cape, SA.
26/11/1972: Brenda Kriel, Vellie Boutique, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
26/11/1974: Salman Jonas, Fred Footwear, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
27/11/1965: Gerda Rappard, retired, formerly Bolton Footwear, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
27/11/1975: Dione Govender, Paragon Footwear, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
27/11/1976: Rodrick Ewing, RBE Agencies (Pty) Ltd, East London, E. Cape, SA.
27/11/1977: Paul Diedricks, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
28/11/1940: Raphael Capelouto, retired, formerly Brazilian Sandal Co., and others, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
28/11/1955: Tony Ford, left the industry, formerly Naturfit, Durban, KZN, SA.
28/11/1960: Baba Sourimuthu, Robach Components, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
28/11/1987: Naeem Hajat, Fanas Outfitters, Bethlehem, Free State, SA.
29/11/1940: Mike Samuel, retired, formerly agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
29/11/1943: Nigel Ratcliffe, retired and emigrated, formerly Boehme Africa and TST Agencies.
29/11/1951: André Lubbe, retired, formerly AP Lubbe & Son, Stellenbosch, W. Cape, SA.
29/11/1965: Maria Mintoor, All Leather Shoe Manufacturers, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
30/11/1933: Ahmed Simjee, Hopewell, Durban, KZN, SA.
30/11/1963: Martin Paulsen, ?, formerly NULAW, Durban, KZN, SA.
30/11/????: Nicole de Vries, Logomotif, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
30/11/1971: Mantsebo Motsoanakaba-Phakoana, Fashion Parlour, Ladybrand, Free State, SA.
In memoriam this week
29/11/2001: Harold Sack (b. 14/09/1932), Nugshoe (closed), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
30/11/2017: Dimitar Todorov (b. 08/11/1947), Afromerino Produce (now African Merino Trading) and Tannery Industries Botswana (closed).
30/11/2021: S.C. Siki Moosa (b. 15/11/1948), Shutique Wholesalers, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
30/11/2023: Dietmar Theilig (b. 12/05/1938), Boehme Africa (now DyStar Africa), 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.
Directory entries updated last week
Fashion Fusion (Fashion Fusion Distribution (Pty) Ltd), Pinetown, KZN, 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 ¥ |
| 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 |
| 08/11/2025 |
R20.02 |
R22.77 |
R17.30 |
R 2.43 |
| 14/11/2025 |
R19.89 |
R22.53 |
R17.12 |
R 2.41 |
| 22/11/2025 |
R19.99 |
R22.74 |
R17.37 |
R 2.44 |
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 |
| 08/11/2025 |
16.60 |
18.87 |
14.34 |
2.01 |
| 14/11/2025 |
16.18 |
18.33 |
13.96 |
1.96 |
| 22/11/2025 |
15.31 |
17.41 |
13.30 |
1.87 |
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 |
| 08/11/2025 |
2039.47 |
2319.07 |
1717.02 |
101.85 |
| 14/11/2025 |
2058.39 |
2325.62 |
1717.02 |
103.72 |
| 22/11/2025 |
2041.06 |
2314.65 |
1717.02 |
102.54 |
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 |
| 08/11/2025 |
26.20 |
29.73 |
22.66 |
1.30 |
| 14/11/2025 |
26.25 |
29.67 |
22.54 |
1.31 |
| 22/11/2025 |
26.47 |
30.06 |
22.98 |
1.32 |
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 |
| 08/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.44 |
ZIG 34.62 |
ZIG 26.38 |
ZIG 0.65 |
| 14/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.66 |
ZIG 34.62 |
ZIG 26.33 |
ZIG 0.64 |
| 22/11/2025 |
ZIG 30.37 |
ZIG 34.46 |
ZIG 26.32 |
ZIG 0.65 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (21 November 2025) – The current average hide price increased by 0.05% to R2.331/kg from R2.330/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.57% higher than the average price a month ago and was 16.9% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 Maximum price: R2.93. 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:
Imson’s Sports World, Polokwane/Pietersburg, Limpopo, SA. Sports goods retailer.
In-Decent Fashion Emporium, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA. Women’s apparel retailer.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
SAFLIA: Imports climb, local production drops, but cost saving measures expected
Synthetic upper material plant to open in SA next year
When farms battle, Free State retail does, too
In case you missed it! : The November issue of S&V African Leather Magazine
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.48, November 25 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Business
- South Africa
-- Cape Cobra: Hanging on to skills
-- Shoe Valley: Anticipating a return to normal
-- MFW Trading: Squeezing 6 months into 2
-- Ultimo: Expecting a good December
-- Dischem owner acquires Baby City
Stock Exchange News Service (SENS)
- Woolworths trading update
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.47, Nov 23, 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 01 December, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 28 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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