Table of Content
- Topic 1: UZBEKISTAN
- Topic 2: ARSUTORIA DURBAN & CAPE TOWN WORKSHOPS
- Topic 3: AGOA & AfCFTA Brainstorm
- Topic 4: WORLD NEWS (AS PER WORLD FOOTWEAR NEWS)
- Topic 5: LET’S HEAR WHAT MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY
- Topic 6: Social Media
- Topic 7: Upcoming Events
Topic 1:
UZBEKISTAN
SAFLEC Executive Director Nerisha Jairaj attended the ShoesStar Exhibition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in April, and was invited by the Footwear Association in Uzbekistan to be part of a panel discussion on ‘how to penetrate the global market in exports’.
She was asked because South Africa, like Uzbekistan, has a small industry competing against global giants, yet despite that, has managed to make a name for itself through consistent promotion.
She stressed the importance of digital platforms during covid, but said the most important strategy was to aim for long term results.
“For a variety of reasons, we can’t compare ourselves to a country like Turkey,” she said, “but we can benchmark and learn from them.”
She also spoke on issues such as over-stocked retailers, the difference between some markets where sustainability is a key factor and others where the demand is for ‘bling’, and the growth in demand for both luxury- and budget product.
“I don’t think anyone has all the answers right now,” she said. “We will all have to do our own PESTEL analyses to come up with answers which suit what we can offer.”
Topic 2:
ARSUTORIA DURBAN & CAPE TOWN WORKSHOPS
24 attendees at the Durban one-week workshop enjoyed the benefits of our Italian experts, Orietta Pelizzari and Stefano Migliavacca, learning about Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 trends.
The Durban workshop is a joint collaborative sponsorship between SAFLIA, SAFLEC and EFLC, and would not be possible without SAFLIA’s financial sponsorship.
Arsutoria also donates a scholarship to a course in Italy, which this year was awarded to Anushka Bissonram of Africa Soul Footwear.
Topic 3:
WESTERN CAPE MEET & GREET
A drive towards new membership went into full swing this past month, with a meet and greet with potential new members being held in Cape Town at the WESGRO one stop shop. The City of Cape Town, WESGRO, Crafts and Design Institute, Fashion Revolution (Cyril Naidoo), the Watershed SME division and SAFLEC board members in Cape Town, all worked together to invite companies that were within the sector to attend our meet and greet, and allow SAFLEC to market what we have been doing and what we could do for new members. An attendance of 30-plus new companies really took us by surprise, and we are looking forward to signing up those new members.
Topic 4:
WORLD NEWS (AS PER WORLD FOOTWEAR NEWS)
Michael Jordan’s sneakers sold for a record 2.2 million USD
May 1, 2023 /
The pair of sneakers worn by the athlete in the 1998 NBA Finals was sold last month for 2.2 million USD, setting a new world record for the most expensive pair of shoes ever purchased.
Bangladesh: leather exports register a small growth
Apr 28, 2023 /
From July to March 2023, Bangladeshi’s total leather exports increased only by 2.56% year-over-year, reflecting a deceleration in the category exports since the start of the year.
Topic 5:
Let’s Hear What Our Members Have To Say!
Topic 6:
Social Media
Our social media platforms have been hitting record-breaking hits. Our recent campaign obtained over 14,800,000 impressions and over 540,000 engagements, boosted to followers in the rest of Africa, Europe, Middle East, and North America. We encourage you to take advantage of our efforts to promote you. Send us content to push your company and brands. Also like, follow, and forward our links to your contact lists. Let us build the following globally so that we can show the world our capability.
Twitter: @SAFLECEXPORT
Facebook: @SAFOOTWEAREXPORT
Instagram: @saflec_team
Youtube: SAFLEC
Topic 7:
Upcoming Events
Export Training – May/June 2023
New York trade Show – 6-8 June 2023
Busan Design Week – 22-25 June 2023
Leather World Paris – 3-5 July 2023
