S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 27, July 06 2026

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Local Sourcing

Retail Buyer Engagement & Manufacturer Onboarding Programme: ‘A resounding success for localisation’

By Dimakatso Moji (DTIC), Nerisha Jairaj (SAFLEC) and Zamani Oliphant (SAFLIA)

The inaugural Retail Buyer Engagement & Manufacturer Onboarding Programme, held in Durban on 1 July 2026, proved to be a landmark event for South Africa's footwear and leather industry. Despite concerns leading up to the event, including a planned march and shutdown the preceding day, the programme exceeded expectations and demonstrated the sector's resilience, commitment, and determination to grow local manufacturing capacity.
     The event brought together key industry stakeholders through a partnership between the dtic, SAFLIA, SAFLEC, Productivity SA and the International Labour Organization (ILO), united by a common goal of strengthening localisation and creating sustainable growth opportunities within the sector. The programme forms part of the broader objectives of the R-CTFL Masterplan, which aims to build a competitive, resilient and inclusive footwear industry.
     Most notably, the event attracted leading retailers including PEP, Woolworths, Cape Union Mart, The Foschini Group (TFG), Fashion World, Mr Price, Bella Mia/Kingsmead and Ackermans, all of whom participated in the engagement sessions and witnessed firsthand the capabilities, quality standards, and production capacity that local manufacturers have to offer. Their attendance signalled growing confidence in South African manufacturing and a willingness to explore increased local sourcing opportunities.
     The structured business-to-business engagements were exceptionally productive. Manufacturers had the opportunity to engage directly with retail buyers, creating meaningful conversations around supplier readiness, product development, localisation opportunities, and future partnerships. The targeted format ensured that engagements were practical, focused and outcomes-driven, enabling both retailers and manufacturers to identify areas for immediate collaboration.
     The momentum continued the following day with a series of factory visits, where retailers were able to observe local manufacturing operations in action. These visits provided valuable insights into the industry's technical capabilities, workforce skills, production processes and growth potential. Feedback from participants indicated that the factory tours further strengthened confidence in the sector's ability to meet retail requirements while contributing to local economic development and job creation.
     What became increasingly evident throughout the programme was that the longstanding narrative of the leather and footwear industry as a "sunset industry" is rapidly being challenged. Through strategic partnerships, focused interventions and the collective efforts of industry stakeholders, the sector is showing clear signs of renewal and growth. The collaboration between government, industry associations, development partners and business is creating much-needed optimism and a genuine sense of a "sunrise" industry emerging.
     The success of this first-of-its-kind initiative demonstrates the value of creating structured platforms that connect buyers and manufacturers directly. It also highlights the importance of continued collaboration in building stronger domestic value chains and increasing localisation across the retail supply chain.
     With the positive outcomes achieved, stakeholders can look forward to additional engagements and initiatives planned under the R-CTFL Masterplan, which is currently under review. If the success of this event is anything to go by, the future of South Africa's footwear and leather industry looks increasingly promising, with greater opportunities for investment, localisation, competitiveness and employment creation on the horizon.
     The Retail Buyer Engagement & Manufacturer Onboarding Programme has set a strong foundation for future collaboration and demonstrated that when industry, government and development partners work together, meaningful progress can be achieved for South African manufacturing.

Wage negotiations

Footwear settles, Tanning mediation tomorrow

Durban, KZN, SA – The Footwear Sector has concluded a 5% wage increase across the board with no peripherals effective 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA (NBCLI) general secretary Ilhaam Ryneveld said last week.
     “The Tanning Sector has mediation scheduled for the 07 July (tomorrow).”
     The General Goods & Handbags Sector settled on a 5% increase last month.

Sportswear

Nike sales down, growth in N. America only; wholesale up, DTC down; Converse falls 32%

Beaverton, Ohio, U.S. (30 June 2026) – Nike Inc. reported US$46.4 billion revenue for its full year ended 31 May, flat and 2% down on a currency-neutral basis. 4th quarter results ending 31 May were $11 billion, 1% down and 4% down on a currency-neutral basis.
     Wholesale for the 4th quarter was $6.6 billion, 4% up and 1% up on a currency-neutral basis. DTC sales for the same period were $4.1 billion, down 7% and 9%.
     "In fiscal 2026, we took decisive actions to strengthen the foundation of NIKE, Inc. and reposition our business for long-term growth," said Elliott Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer, NIKE, Inc. "We made meaningful structural improvements to lay the groundwork for our Sport Offense across our team culture, innovative product, brand strength, and how we serve consumers in our countries and cities. While we continue to face top-line headwinds, we're encouraged by progress in performance product and are focused on consistent execution, improved profitability and scaling our wins to realize our full potential."
     "We delivered fourth quarter results in line with our expectations, demonstrating financial discipline in an increasingly challenging operating environment, where sell-through remains challenged," said Matthew Friend, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NIKE, Inc. "We are improving the health of our business, managing our product portfolio and investing in marketplace elevation, while adjusting our operating costs for greater efficiency over time."
     In the 4th quarter, North American sales grew 5%, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) sales fell 3%, China fell 13%, Asia Pacific and Latin America fell 1%.
     Converse sales fell 32%.

Nike’s running business is a definitive bright spot, but some market watchers want to see more growth

Extract from Footwear News 02 July 2026. To read the full article, go to: https://wwd.com/footwear-news/shoe-industry-news/nike-running-1-billion-5-billion-business-turnaround-shoes

Nike‘s running business has been a bright spot, but analysts still want to see more from the brand.
     During the fourth-quarter conference call Tuesday, chief executive officer Elliott Hill said “Running grew $5 billion — $1 billion over the last five quarters, and we gained five market share points.”
     He also noted that those five quarters were “consecutive quarters of double-digit growth in Nike Running,” and that the points gained in the running market share in statement footwear during fiscal-year 2026 across Western Europe and North America was “more than any other top five brand.”

They Said It

“It’s a worrying aspect of journalism today where sources can be so radically different.” - David Buirski, South African-born retired former journalist on World Leather and its sister publications. His reference is to the varying answers on the Internet – now the primary source of facts – to the same question.

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

Birthdays this week

06/07/1974: Gary Gilder, formerly Bolton Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
07/07/1953: Khalit Ghoor, Hagels, Brits, N.W. Province, SA.
07/07/1955: John Kotze, Designer Marketing Int. Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
07/07/1959: Lenette van Vuuren, Incredible Shoes, Ladysmith, KZN, SA.
07/07/1965: Anil Rupnarain, Michelle Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
07/07/1966: Sakkie Kriel, Vellie Boutique, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
08/07/1950: Sam Muller, BEC Safety, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
08/07/1953: Jaybharat Jethwa, The African Boot Co., Nairobi, Kenya.
09/07/1949: Bryn Proctor, ?, formerly Crown Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
09/07/1958: Johan Kriel, retired, formerly Bolton Footwear, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
09/07/1969: Hein Jonker, Ostrich Products SA, Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA.
09/07/1975: Gian-Paolo Bresolin, left the industry, formerly Andreoli Shoes (closed), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
10/07/1940: Erwin Metzger, Sanata Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/07/1945: Colin Symons, retired, formerly Elco Plastics, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
10/07/1950: Allen Beckley, Naked Feet, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/07/1970: Shelley Zhang, left the country, formerly Lavanda Shoes, Randburg, Gauteng, SA.
10/07/1972: Annah-Mae Blair, The New Shoe Company, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/07/1978: Mohamed Dewan, Boardriders, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/07/1976: Johan Venter, Rolfes Leather, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
10/07/1991: Roal Boezaart, Freedom of Movement, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
11/07/1944: Attie Els, Els Agencies, Durban, KZN, SA.
11/07/1945: Maureen Liebenberg, retired, formerly Barker Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
11/07/1964: Hafiza Shaikh, left the industry, formerly Amshu Distributors (closed), Greytown, KZN, SA.
11/07/1975: Cassim Dawjee, Moola’s Fashion House, Newcastle, KZN, SA.
11/07/1983: Tavonga Gonyora, Dick Whittington Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
12/07/1970: Guy Blake, agent, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
12/07/1975: Nashie Singh, Jinbo Trading (Pty) Ltd, Durban, KZN, SA.
12/07/1978: Kelli Kupritz, Dodo’s, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.

In memoriam this week

06/07/1996: Eric Waterworth, King Tanning Company [closed], Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
06/07/2020: Malcolm Novos (b. 28/04/1949), Economic Shoe Store, Paarl, W Cape, SA.
07/07/1993: Rob Scallan, Tuftex, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
09/07/2015: Mahomed Ebrahim Haffejee (b.18/08/1930), Capri Bag, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/07/2002: Rodger Brewitt (b. 25/11/1947), Bata Zimbabwe, Gwelo, Rhodesia/Bata SA, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
10/07/2014: Terry Thomas (b. 12/05/1935), agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/07/2021: Richard Delfel (b. 02/06/1955), GST Seton Autoleathers (now Pangea), Nigel, Gauteng, SA.
10/07/2025: David Maisey (b. 11/05/1945), emigrated to the UK, formerly Brondean Agencies, Port Elizabeth, E Cape, SA.
12/07/2015: Hessen Bernado (b. 19/07/1959), Bagshaw Footwear, Port Elizabeth, E. 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.

Directory entries updated last week

Greg Howe Agencies, East London, E. Cape, SA.
Jenebella Trading cc, Somerset West, W. Cape, SA.
M.F. Casoojee Agencies, Lenasia, Gauteng, SA.
Pep Stores (Pepkor Retail Ltd), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.

Fairs & events updated last week – see calendar for details

16-20 September 2026: Africa Aerospace & Defence Expo, Waterkloof Airforce Base, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.

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 (04 July 2026) - The current average hide price increased by 2.45% to R2.318/kg from R2.263/kg, in the previous week. The current price is 3.39% higher than the average price a month ago and was 6.1% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 Maximum price: R2.76. 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. - Jade Smith, 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:

Jim Green Footwear, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA. Footwear Manufacturer.
Jodam Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Synthetic bag and stationery manufacturer.

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Global trade: Trump threatens additional tariffs on nations ‘aligning’ with ‘anti-American’ BRICS

Trading conditions
- Hoping for holiday pick up
- Up on last year, but taking it month-by-month

In case you missed it!: The latest issue of S&V Protect Magazine

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.27, July 7 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

Counterfeit raid - no comment from attorneys

Paramount: Closed following unrest

Eagle Clothing: Things were going so well

Richemont - acquisition of Delvaux

Rex true provision of financial assistance

Death Notices: Guy Blake (Western Cape agent)

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.27, July 5 2021

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All the past S&V Weekly Newsletters from January 2016 onwards are available in the newsletter archive.
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Contact us

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

Next newsletter: Monday 13 July, 2026. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 10 July 2026.

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