S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 32, August 11 2026

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Trade

Botswana still suffering from drop in diamonds

By Zaf Khan, Kopano Stores (Pty) Ltd and Majita (Pty) Ltd

Gaborone, Botswana – As is widely known, demand for natural diamonds has dropped substantially. 48.9% of our exports (by value) is funded by diamonds exports. Any drop in worldwide demand affects the entire country...Majita (Pty) Ltd (which supplies PPE) is no exception.
     Trading conditions are tough and will remain so for at least 18 months into the foreseeable future.
     The newly elected UDC government is trying its best, but the economic conditions worldwide coupled with an inexperienced government, make the task difficult.
     Currently the best-selling safety footwear is the basic safety boot with the best price as everyone has become cost conscious.
     Stock supply has been pretty erratic at best (understandably) but we are not too affected because trading conditions are tough and therefore stockholding has been reduced.

‘Southern Africa should follow EU no border policy’

By Ridwaan Sayanvala, Pick & Save Hyperstores (Tšebo Ea Sechaba (Pty) Ltd)

Maseru, Lesotho – From last year to this year the sales in Lesotho have dropped drastically because of the Basothos who were working in South Africa were kicked out.
     It has affected the economy drastically.
     Also bear in mind Lesotho imports $1.5 billion dollars/R25 billion rands of goods from South Africa that is contributing to the South African economy as well as creating jobs in South Africa.
     Southern African countries importing goods from South Africa over R300 billion.
     Southern Africa should follow European countries by abolishing borders and allowing southern African countries jobs, etc., in South Africa.
     Let’s follow Europe.
     Foreign investors are finding it difficult to come to Lesotho because they require transit visas for South Africa – that is insane. Lesotho is landlocked.
     Look at the ease of transit in countries like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kenya, and Ethiopia – why is South Africa asking investors coming to Lesotho to have transit visas?

Eswatini ‘pretty stable’

Manzini, Eswatini – “This is still winter, which is a quieter season,” Paramount Tailors & Outfitters director Mitesh Valob said yesterday. He said there had been an upswing in sales of jackets and other cold weather gear.      “Summer is always much busier, but overall, everything is pretty stable.”

Results

Under Armour first quarter fiscal 2027 results

EMEA region sole bright spot

Extracts from press release. For the full release, go to https://about.underarmour.com/

Baltimore, U.S.A. (07 August 2026) – Under Armour, Inc. announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, which ended June 30, 2026.
     "As we navigate a challenging consumer demand environment, we continue to make progress in building a more focused Under Armour, despite updating our full-year revenue outlook," said Under Armour President and CEO Kevin Plank. "By simplifying the business, we are operating with greater discipline and better positioned to protect profitability, while still investing in a sharper product portfolio through clearer storytelling with the goal of driving a more premium Under Armour that will consistently earn demand at full price."
     Revenue decreased 3% to $1.1 billion (down 4% constant currency).
     North America revenue declined 9% to $610 million, while international revenue increased 5% to $490 million (up 2 percent constant currency). Within international markets, EMEA revenue increased 12% (up 10% constant currency), Asia-Pacific decreased 7% (down 10% constant currency), and Latin America increased 8% (up 1% constant currency).
     Wholesale revenue decreased 2% to $638 million and direct-to-consumer (DTC) revenue decreased 6% to $437 million. Within DTC, owned-and-operated store revenue declined 3%, and eCommerce revenue decreased 12%, representing 29% of total DTC revenue for the quarter.
     By category, apparel revenue decreased 2% to $734 million, footwear revenue declined 8% to $245 million, and accessories revenue decreased 4% to $96 million.

They Said It

“I reckon a bottle of Oude Meester and a young nurse would get me better.” - A correspondent explaining why flu prevented him from sending in a promised article. And on Women’s Day, too.

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

10/08/1951: Kevin Davidow, retired, formerly Nakara Leather, Windhoek, Namibia.
10/08/1963: Grant Hansen, Fusion Leather, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
10/08/1968: Julius Govender, Michelle Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/08/1971: Shane McEvoy, Dodo Shoes, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
11/08/1953: Andy Stern, Dangee-Carken, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
11/08/1978: Natashia Singh, Palm Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
12/08/1962: Alyssa Joubert, Ally Shoes, Hermanus, W. Cape, SA.
13/08/1969: Clinton Hoar, XS Denim, Durban, KZN, SA.
14/08/1949: Benjy Lapiner, Cape Produce Company, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
15/08:19??: Bob McDonald, retired, formerly Budget Footwear [closed], Durban, KZN, SA.
16/08/1948: Bill Zurich, retired, formerly Shoeperama, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
16/08/1948: Chris Williamson, Trader Vic, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
16/08/1957: Paul McMillan, Reflex, Great Brak River, W. Cape, SA.
16/08/1969: Rajeev Pattundeen, Palm Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.

In memoriam this week

10/08/2006: Abdool Kader (AK) Seedat (b. 12/03/1933), agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
11/08/2011: Ken Riches (b. 15/07/1922), LIRI (closed), educator, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
11/08/2022: Walter Kassier (b. 12/01/1946), Eston Leather (closed), Eston, KZN, SA.
12/08/2022: Essop Kader (b. 01/10/1954), Kaytex Belts, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
15/08/2011: Geoffrey Leonard Keane-Murphy (b. 08/03/1927), consultant, Durban, KZN, SA.
15/08/2011: Newton Wade (b. 16/06/1925), Panama Shoes (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
15/08/2015: MH Moosaji, Trendsetters, KwaDukuza, KZN, SA.
16/08/1997: Ed Aubin, agent, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
16/08/2012: Margaret Jordaan (b. 15/01/1931), Centra-Cast, Durban, KZN, SA.
16/08/2025: Ernie Wallis (b. 14/07/1959), SHEQ Safety, Randfontein, 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.

New subscribers last week

Leeson Govender, Director, Keliera Apparel, Chatsworth, KZN, South Africa

Directory entries updated last week

Paramount Outfitters & Tailors (Pty) Ltd, Manzini, Eswatini.

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 (05 August 2026) - The current average hide price decreased by 0.11% to R2.318/kg from R2.321/kg a week ago. The current price is 0.20% lower than the average price a month ago and 6.07% 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:

Tyson’s Ltd, Sasolburg, Free State, SA. Men’s outfitter.
Ubunye Uniforms, Durban, KZN, SA. PPE reseller.

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Cape Union Mart growing casual as an add-on to outdoor apparel

Extracts from global company results
- Under Armour: First quarter fiscal 2026
- Skechers: Second quarter 2025

Appointment: Anya Brits has been appointed as Environmental Officer at Cape Karoo International’s Mossel Bay tannery.

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.32, August 11 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

The aftermath part 4
- Orkin's: Hard to forecast
- May's: Looted, but lucky

Company Survey: Impact of the unrest

Zuzi Designs: Bag manufacturer seeks to share space with shoe factory

Hush Puppies SA 'unaffected by decisions on distribution in the U.S.'

Stock Exchange News Services (SENS): TFG - trading update

Death notice: Ben Peters, retired former director of Tuftex Distributors

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.32, August 9 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 17 August, 2026. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 14 August 2026.

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