S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 34, August 24 2026

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Sportswear

Athleisure is on a downward trend, but it’s a cycle

Footgear CEO Arn Dehaaz responded to a request for comment on the athleisure market, following published comments by TFG CEO Anthony Thunstrõm on the performance of TFG’s branded sportswear chains.

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – It is very difficult to comment as we (FG) don’t have access to market share data that the likes of the large retailers and brands have.
     I think it would be fair to say that since the post CV athleisure boom, there has been a downtrend in the demand for athleisure footwear. The brands would be best to assess, but based on numbers they report globally, it would indicate that there have been (downward) shifts in the market. And then overlay with TFG (Anthonys comments).
     Like all fashion cycles there are trend shifts and we are probably in that phase at the moment, however within the larger trend shifts there are still trending styles within the brands (e.g. Adidas Originals, NB Retro 2000’s running) as well as the emergence of newer brands such as On and Hoka.
     What is certain is that the athleisure footwear space in South Africa is very competitive in an economy that is not growing at the levels all retailers would like to help consumption spending.
     In terms of your assessment per the quote below… “Would it be fairer to characterise Footgear as the retailer most focused on mass market athleisure?” … I would not say we are the “most focused”. It is correct to say we are focused on the mass market, and our customer segmentation and store locations do define our target market, but as per a previous mail, I don’t think we are the “most” compared to the large chains like Tekkie Town and Sneaker Factory.

Local manufacturing

Retail Buyer Engagement Programme ‘was valuable and should be repeated’

Cape Union Mart group footwear technologist Gary Witten was away when we carried a report on the Retail Buyer Engagement and Manufacturer Onboarding Programme in July. Below is his assessment.

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – The event in Umhlanga was excellent. I accepted the invitation because we want to support local manufacturing. I have spent my entire adult life in the footwear industry and have worked with several local factories over the years. You may recall that you wrote an article about me when I started at Ackermans in 2007.
     It was valuable to meet local manufacturers in a setting that also included government and public organisations. I attended with the hope of identifying suppliers we could potentially work with, and the event created a useful environment for retailers to engage directly with suppliers, discuss possible collaboration, and visit the factories themselves.
     We visited and met with three suppliers with the intention of exploring collaboration opportunities. There was a fourth factory that we did not get to visit, but I have arranged a meeting with them here in Cape Town.
     The biggest challenges for retailers buying from local factories are styling, execution, timelines and price. Hopefully, we will be able to overcome these hurdles. We are committed to taking the necessary time to make this work.
     To answer your final question: yes, I believe there was significant value in the event and I would like to see more events of this nature. It could become an annual event; however, there are only a limited number of suppliers currently able to supply retail, and there appears to be limited innovation among local suppliers. Much of the product offering and execution is similar. That said, an annual event could include broader discussions around what is needed to uplift and grow local manufacturing.

Rockshoes article brought back memories

Mr Price quality team leader Tony Vaubell reacted to the article on Rockshoes in the August issue of Shoes & Views, published on Friday.

Durban, KZN, SA – The Rockshoes story certainly brought back many fond memories. I recall visiting Mike Pengelly, Dave Berry, and Brett Pengelly during my time with Dave Robertson at Wallheimer Leathers (later Strod), and subsequently while working with Doug Hawkey at Columbia Marketing.
     We shared many valuable discussions and exchanges at their offices, with Brett and myself being the younger members (lighties) of the group at the time. It was a privilege to learn from such experienced industry professionals.
     As a point of interest, my Footwear Technologist Diploma certificate was signed by Dave Berry, which makes those connections and memories even more meaningful.
 

In case you missed it!

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

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol. 92 No. 08 August 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Timeline
- Historical highlights: How Rockshoes became Trailmix Trading.

07 SAFLEC AGM
- A year marked by resilience, writes chairman Tavonga Gonyora.
- Strengthening of relationships between industry organisations and government a key development, writes director Nerisha Jairaj.

14 Product News
- Stokies: New owner plans to resurrect a homegrown brand.
- Wayne’s Phambili range: Practical boots from non-safety to full protection.

18 Sustainability
- Plastics SA ‘celebrates 30 years of inspiring South Africans to take action against litter’ – but so much more is needed.

22 Quality Control
- Performance testing: Building credibility in the modern apparel and footwear market, by Tony Lai, Technical Manager, Softlines, SGS Connectivity & Products.
- The showroom pair is not the order, writes Yinghang Wu, founder of ChinaBrandPath.

24 Noticeboard
- Those who can, do, those who can do it even better, teach. In memory of Ken Riches, by his friend and admirer, Richard Kushlick.
- Obituary for Colin Battle. ‘Our sales trips were a whole life experience,’ by his friend and one-time principal, Richard Kushlick.

21 Statistics
- Preliminary trade statistics June 2026.



Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (13), BBF Safety Group (OFC), East Asian Import & Export (25), eThekwini Leather (09), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (06), Haesloop Agencies (16), Hi-Tec (02), iSync Solutions (14), Kaytex Belts (21), Leather Finishing Products (28), Saddler Belts (08), SAFLEC (18), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (19), Shotland Packaging (23), Trailmix Trading/Savoy (03).

They Said It

“It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you tonight to celebrate an extraordinary milestone in the history of our industry and our country: the centenary of the Leather Industry Bargaining Council. Tonight, we celebrate not only an organisation, but a legacy.” - Ilhaam Rynveld, general secretary of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA, at its 100 anniversary celebration last Thursday.

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

24/08/1940: Fred Carpel, agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
24/08/1957: Clive Wood, Crown Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
24/08/1961: Ulf Oehl, Stahl SA, Midrand, Gauteng, SA.
25/08/1957: Judy Ambrose, left the industry, formerly agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1965: Imran Lockhat, Famous Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1970: Imran Mahomed, Mr American, Malelane, Mpumalanga, SA.
25/08/1972: Andrew Fenwick, Saddler Belts & Leathercraft, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1978: Adrian Ramsamy, Novita Shoes, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/1980: Yvonne Speirs, emigrated, formerly Fusion Leather, Durban, KZN, SA.
25/08/????: Anthea Ball, Adidas, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
26/08/1971: Sadia Edries, Rizzo Sales, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
27/08/1945: Krish Gangiah, Impact Footwear, Durban, KZN, SA.
27/08/1962: Vidrik Thurling, Thurling Investments, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
27/08/1978: Ashwin Jaganik, East Asian Import & Export, Durban, KZN, SA.
28/08/1947: Kathy Graham, retired, formerly Bagshaw, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
28/08/1964: Maon Saxe, Lonshoe Holdings (closed), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
28/08/1969: Craig Munro, formerly Crafcor Hart Hides (closed), Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
28/08/1984: Clive Pozniak, Headmasters, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
29/08/1961: Steve Miller, Queue, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
29/08/1976: Minesh Gangiah, Impact Industries Footwear Manufacturers, Durban, KZN, SA.
29/08/????: Indira B Ambaram, JFK Trading, Durban, KZN, SA.
30/08/1971: Cheryl Kretschmer, Sparg’s Wholesale Supermarket, East London, E. Cape, SA.

In memoriam this week

27/08/2006: Keith Barkus (b. 08/04/1954), agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
28/08/1997: Richard Denton (b. 24/06/1914), Ricmar group (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
28/08/2013: Tony Denton (b. 06/03/1943), Ricmar group (closed), Himeville, KZN, SA.
28/08/2021: Michael Anthony Clark (b. 14/03/1946), International Shoe Machinery, Royal Adhesives, Durban, KZN, SA.
29/08/2021: Nelson Govender (b. 04/10/1964), Prisaan Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
30/08/1997: Neville Socher, Medicus agent.
30/08/2015: Willem Delft (b. 10/04/1944), Bobbie Leathers, Uganda.
30/08/2023: Ray Venter (b. 14/09/1937), Prestige Agencies cc (closed), Alberton, 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

Shalen Sewnandan, South Africa
Neels Blignaut, CEO, TrakBlaze Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

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 August 2026) - The current average hide price increased by 0.21% to R2.323/kg from R2.318/kg a week ago. The current price is 1.95% lower than the average price a month ago and 0.19% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.25 Maximum price: R2.82. 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:

Ulko Active Wear, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA. Sportwear distributor.
Ultimo, Klerksdorp, NW Province, SA. Men’s and women’s apparel retailer.

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Trading conditions: Chains not on our side, but we’re staying proactive

US tariffs
- SA response – so far, mum’s the word
- A blanket tariff on all goods makes no sense

Death notice: Eckehard Schumann, formerly of Shoetech, died on 19 August, aged 79.

In case you missed it!: The August issue of S&V African Leather Magazine

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.34, August 25 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

Bounty gets Vans extension

Cuthberts to be resurrected

Villani: Pondering a future without the Arno brand

Looting: The aftermath part 6
- Truworths: Update on impact of civil unrest

SENS: Mr Price: Trading update

Fairs: Allfashion Sourcing dates change

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.34, August 23 2021

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

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