S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 12, March 23 2026

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Trading Conditions

Kingsmead: ‘Let’s hope war doesn’t spoil a good year so far’

Durban, KZN, SA – Family footwear chain Kingsmead Shoes “has been trading quite well this year so far – that’s why I’m so mad about this war in Iran,” MD Kim Cunniffe said on Saturday. “We’ve seen a few price increases out of China – not massive – but there is the potential for big petrol price and shipping increases, and their knock-on effects. However, maybe we’re used to these kinds of shocks and there won’t be much effect.’
     She said Kingsmead had had a good back-to-school and back-to-work January, the usual markdowns in February, and March “has been good”.
     “Things generally have been starting to look stable and positive. We have to hope we can ride this storm, and that it won’t last long.”

L. Cohen Outfitters 1912: ‘Hopefully tough business conditions have bottomed out’

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – January and February were very quiet, but there have been some good days during March, Martin Cohen, proprietor of men’s outfitter L. Cohen Outfitters, said on Saturday.
     “This is a 114-year-old, high quality, conservative casual and formal wear destination store with a regular clientele. Hopefully tough business conditions have bottomed out and hopefully things will improve even though fundamentals don’t point that way. Today one needs to keep overheads to a minimum and of course owning the premises is vital.”

Listed companies

TFG: Trading update: Q4 FY26 to date & 50 weeks ended 14 March 2026; and updated trading statement ending 31 March 2026

Africa up, UK saved by White Stuff, Australia flat

To see the full report, go to https://www.sharedata.co.za/

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – The Group is releasing this trading update, together with an updated trading statement, ahead of the management team's attendance at investor conferences during the week of 23 March 2026.
     This trading update relates to the 11-week period from 28 December 2025 to 14 March 2026 against the comparative 11-week period from 29 December 2024 to 15 March 2025 and the 50 weeks ended 14 March 2026 ("year to date" or "current period") against the comparative 50 weeks ended 15 March 2025.

TFG AFRICA

Sales have grown by 7,6% in Q4 to date, reflecting an improvement in performance and partly due to the dissipation of the two-pot retirement funds release in the base. Sales for the year to date now reflects an increase of 5,2%, with online sales and value-added revenues continuing to show significant growth.
     Gross margin has also now normalised since January, however this has been insufficient to recover margin lost during the year up to and including peak season in Q3 FY2026, as previously disclosed.

TFG LONDON

Sales have grown by 3,4% (in GBP) in Q4 to date, which now includes White Stuff in the base. Sales have grown by 31,0% (in GBP) for the year to date and by 0,4%^ excluding White Stuff, which continues to perform well, with pro-forma sales growth of 5,2%^ for the year to date.

TFG AUSTRALIA

Sales have been flat for Q4 to date. Year to date sales have contracted by 1,4% (in AUD).

OUTLOOK

Geopolitical uncertainty is expected to contribute to elevated input costs and cautious consumer behaviour. The Group's diversification and local manufacturing capability within its TFG Africa division provides some resilience, with management actions focused on cost discipline and operational efficiencies to mitigate these headwinds where possible.
     The Group maintains a sound balance sheet position, supported by committed banking facilities and prudent working capital management. Inventory in the Group's largest division, TFG Africa, is expected to close within normal levels.

Appointments

Lusaka, Zambia – Zamleather Ltd GM Richard Franklin stepped down on Friday. He has been replaced by Mulwanda Sichula.

In case you missed it!

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

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol. 92 No. 03 March 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Upfront
- The costs to the SA footwear industry of the Iran war are starting to show.
- National Productivity Symposium: ‘The ideas are there – SA needs the implementation, writes Zamani Oliphant.
- ‘I will be collaborative, data-driven and implementation-focused, writes new DTIC Leather & Footwear desk head Dimakatso Moji.

11 Company News
- BBF Safety Group: ‘Improved wearer experience and long-term value’ – the upgraded Maverick and Radical.
- A family shoemaking legacy launches the Fast Fox brand.
- FSP Collection enters new chapter with Lindiwe brand launch.
- Basketball Africa League names Puma as league’s official outfitter ahead of 2026 season.

13 Noticeboard
- Obituary: Rob Jordan, Jordan Shoes: ‘Those were the best days of our lives.’

20 Statistics
- Preliminary trade statistics January 2026.



Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (02), BBF Safety Group/Bova (OFC), East Asian Import & Export (08), eThekwini Leather (06), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (04), Haesloop Agencies (17), iSync Solutions (09), Jumbo Footwear/Fabino (03), Kaytex Belts (14), Leather Finishing Products (10), Saddler Belts (05), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (19), Shotland Packaging (12).
 

They Said It

"Now we just have to pray the ship isn’t hit by a drone or a missile.” - Matthew Hansen, Reunion Components and Angelsoft, on a container of PU on its way to SA at the pre-war price.

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

Ina, Accounting/Statistical Manager, SAFLIA, Durban, KZN, South Africa

Birthdays this week

23/03/1965: Nilesh Naran, Curtolo Shoes, Laudium, Gauteng, SA.
24/03/1947: Chiman Harjeven, Knight's Shoes, Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA.
24/03/1986: Andrew Williams, Little Slipper Co., Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
25/03/1963: Richard Mulenga, Zamleather, Lusaka, Zambia.
25/03/1974: Charl du Plessis, left the industry, formerly with KKI, Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA.
25/03/1974: John Olde-Olthof, Tarzan Shoe Factory (Pty) Ltd, Tulbagh, W. Cape, SA.
26/03/1950: Bunny Ramsay, Equalization Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
26/03/1961: Peter Meinzer, Thiel’s Shoe Shop, Windhoek, Namibia.
27/03/1952: Mike Conradie, freelance designer, Durban, KZN, SA.
27/03/1958: Bède Bedetse, African Tannery Company (Afritan), Bujumbura, Burundi.
27/03/1958: Tony Parkes, retired, formerly Bata SA, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
27/03/1992: Eugene Greyling, Soviet, Midrand, Gauteng, SA.
28/03/1963: Brett Momberg, BBF Group, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
28/03/1964: Pooan Archary, Paragon Footwear, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
28/03/1968: Ismail Gathoo, Esquire, Bethlehem, Free State, SA.
28/07/1970: Ansa Nel, African Leather & Skins, Centurion, Gauteng, SA.
28/03/1972: Alfonso Smerilli, Make My Shoes, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
28/03/1985: Taariq Mahomed Hoosen, Paris Belts, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
28/03/1986: Mohamed Adam, Seadoone Shoes, Amanzimtoti, KZN, SA.
29/03/1949: Jose Alves, Unikem, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
29/03/1954: Keith Alexander, ?
29/03/1963: Kosi Cooppan, Majenta Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
29/03/1974: Julian Zuluaga, left SA, formerly Bata SA, Pinetown, KZN, SA.

In memoriam this week

24/03/2011: John Lailvaux (b. 16/10/1946), Bouvette (closed), Pedrino (closed), Shoe Boyz (closed), Naked Feet, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
26/03/1994: Manfred Hanni, Hanni Leathers (now Pangea SA), Nigel, Gauteng, SA.
26/03/2002: Marie Joy Viljoen, Tuftex, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
26/03/2011: Paolo Bresolin (b. 25/07/1944), Andreoli Shoes (closed), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
26/03/2016: Viroo Harry (b. 10/01/1960), Mr Man, now part of Knight's Shoes, Grahamstown, E. Cape, SA.
28/03/2011: Brian Berger (b. 25/12/1963), Armadillo Footwear (closed), Johannesburg, KZN, SA.
28/03/2015: Colin Grecia (b. 29/12/1964), Classic Components, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
29/03/2008: Jeff Bub (b. 28/09/1942), In Shoes/In Clothing (closed), Cape Town, W. Cape, 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.

3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)

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

4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)

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

5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)

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

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (20 March 2026) - The current average hide price decreased by 2,60% to R2.257/kg from R2.317/kg a week ago. The current price is 2,89% lower than the average price a month ago and was 19,4% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.00 Maximum price: R2.74. 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:

Jade Safety, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. PPE reseller.
JAE(T), Mwanza, Tanzania. Footwear manufacturer.

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Veldskoen ‘expecting new investors’ post June court case

Closing: Alan D. Jackson cc

Nu Trend Apparel [Nu Trend Footwear (Pty) Ltd]

Reactions to Green Cross article
- Brian R. Zyster, retired
- Hugo Zuanni, Leather Link

In case you missed it!: The March issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.12, March 24 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

Business
- Kenya
-- The African Boot Co.: Consumers are battling

- Namibia
-- J. Gerdes Uniwear: 'Among the lucky few'

- South Africa
-- Wizard's Vintage: Second hand goods for the rich
-- Zip-Code: Changes starting to pay off

Stock Exchange News Service (SENS)
- Rex Trueform: Trading statement

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.12, March 22 2021

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

Next newsletter: Monday 30 March, 2026. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 27 March.

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