Short news

Retail trade sales grew 6.8% (at constant 2008 prices) year-on-year in November 2011, Statistics SA reported. Seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0.3% in November 2011 compared with October 2011. The highest annual growth rate was recorded for 'retailers in hardware, paint and glass' (17.6%), followed by 'retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment' (10.4%) and 'retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods' (7.9%). Retail trade sales for the three months ended November 2011 grew 7.3% compared with the three months ended November 2010. The largest contributor to this increase was 'general dealers' (5.6% and contributing 2.1 percentage points), followed by 'retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods' (8.5% and contributing 1.7 percentage points).

Sporting goods suppliers and retailers around the world were worth $191.3-bn (R1519-bn) on stock exchanges at the end of 2011, 2.7% more than at the end of 2010, an annual study by the news publication Sporting Goods Intelligence shows (SGI Europe). Their figures were based on the stock exchange quotations of the 85 public companies in the sporting goods sector. As in previous years, sporting goods performed better than the general global economy, where the capitalization of stock registered the first loss in three years. The full story was published in SGI Europe on January 6.

Trade shows

The NAO headlamp from Petzl is one of the 22 category winners of the inaugural ISPO Awards for the most innovative products. A jury of journalists, designers, retailers and athletes from all over world selected the winners of the “sports industry’s new quality seal”, from 260 entries ahead of the 2012 ISPO sporting goods trade show held in Munich from January 29 to February 1, 2012. The new NAO headlamp from Petzl, winner of the Accessories Hardware category, automatically adjusts the intensity and spread of light to external conditions and the user’s requirements. Petzl is distributed locally by Eiger Equipment. The other category winners were from European snow ski and Alpine brands not available in SA.

Industry retail prospects for the year are looking positive. Formal retail sales are expected to grow 4.5% during 2012, the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at UNISA predict. A research report by BMR executive research director Prof. DH Tustin indicates that the growth will be led by sales in sport and recreation goods, clothing and accessories, footwear and glass, crockery, cutlery and kitchenware – all expected to grow 4.7%-4.9%. Retail sales are expected to follow seasonal trends over the past ten years with about 47% of sales in the first and 53% in the second half of the year.

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South African SME businesses can now create their own websites for free on an easy-to-follow template that they can use to create their own online presence. This is an initiative between Google, Woza Online, the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Vodacom and the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) to assist small and medium enterprises to get online. The first 10 000 businesses to register also get a one year free co.za domain name. The latest SME survey by World Wide Worx (January 2012) show that there is a strong link between being online and being competitive, profitable and sustainable. 79% of SMEs with a website reported profitability, compared to only 59% of SMEs without a website. For more information see at www.wozaonline.co.za.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) will not extend the west coast rock lobster (WCRL) recreational season due to ecological considerations, the higher demand for recreational permits, as well as the increased number of fishing days for the 2011/12 season. Recreational Fishing Services requested the minister on January 10 this year to extend the season due to misleading dates published on the DAFF website, the unavailability of fishing permits in Cape Town and bad weather in the beginning of the season that made rock lobster fishing impossible.

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South Africans Schalk Burger, Morné du Plessis, Mike Horn, Gary Player, John Robbie and Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks will be among the sporting legends who’ll attend the Laureus World Sports Awards in London on February 6. They’ll be supporting Oscar Pistorius, who has been nominated for an award in two categories. The winners of the top sportsperson awards in seven categories are selected by a jury of 47 all-time great sportwomen and –men, all members of the prestigious Laureus World Sports Academy from a list nominated by sports journalist from around the world. Pistorius is a finalist in the Laureus World Sports Awards and World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability categories.

Belgium's Marino Vanhoenacker won the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa in East London over the weekend, wearing a pair of K-Swiss’ Ironman shoes. Vanhoenacker, running in K-Ruuz, dominated the field virtually from the start. K-Swiss became the official Ironman footwear and apparel provider in 2009 and developed a collection of co-branded K-Swiss/Ironman performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel. The next Ironman South Africa event is on April 22.

South Africa’s world champion downhill mountain biker Greg Minnaar has joined the Iron Fist Athletic team. The Iron Fist clothing company signed Minnaar, three-time downhill world champion recognized as one of the best and most consistent riders in the world, as an ambassador for the new Iron Fist Athletic line until 2016. Iron Fist is a streetwear clothing brand known for its artwork and styling created by some of the world’s best underground and street artists. It is locally distributed by Headwear24.

Dunlop is donating 250 dozen Max balls to 180 regional squash federations worldwide as part of a new World Squash Federation (WSF) initiative, WSF Dunlop KickStart 2012. This is an addition to the on-going long term Official Ball partnership by Dunlop. The Dunlop Max ball is a beginners' ball that is larger than a normal squash ball and more bouncy, making it the ideal tool to introduce players to the game. According to Sunny Singh, Dunlop's head of sports marketing, squash is a vibrant market for them. “We are eager to assist the sport to grow in any way we can. We know that coaches like to use the Max ball, especially for children, as they start out on what for so many becomes a long‐term exercise regime.”

Asics commissioned 33 members of the award winning GB Acrobatic squad, Spellbound, to twist and bend their bodies to form a human statue of an Asics running shoe in a London photographic studio. The photo shoot was to launch their latest range of running shoes. The human shoe is a replica of the Asics’ new Gel-Excel33 and was captured by photographer Melvin Vincent. It is the flagship model of the new Asics 33 collection, which is designed to allow all 33 joints in the foot to move freely giving the wearer a natural running experience. To showcase one of the key properties of the shoe, the ‘Propulsion Trusstic’, the gymnasts had to incorporate tremendous athletic strength and skill by shifting their bodies into back breaking positions and strenuously lifting their team mates forward.

The New Balance 1400 lightweight running shoe was named "Best for Speed" by SHAPE magazine in their December 2011 issue. The reviewers liked the shoe’s comfort features like the responsive midsole foam, breathable mesh upper and seamless liner that enables you to run without socks.

Cobra Puma Golf announced the signing of golfer Rickie Fowler and Ian Poulter, currently ranked 16th in the World Golf Rankings, earlier this month. Cobra Golf will supply them with the latest golf clubs, tour staff bags, accessories and footwear and belts. Fowler, who signed with Puma Golf in 2009, will now represent the full Cobra Puma Golf brand, both on and off the course. Poulter will wear a new Puma Golf shoe, the Neo Classic Pro-Type, on Tour. A limited release of the style will be available to purchase.

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The French Rugby Federation has resigned a new long-term contract with Gilbert Rugby as their official and exclusive ball supplier. Gilbert, the official ball for the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, supplies balls for South Africa, Argentina, Australia, The Barbarians, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Namibia, Samoa, Scotland, USA, Super Rugby, the LNR and The Aviva Premiership.

Puma launched an African Football content programme in Cape Town for the Orange African Cup of Nations, which is currently underway in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The programme gives a unique cultural insight into the world of African football through the eyes of high profile Puma partnered players. Interviews with Puma players participating in the tournament will run each day on www.puma.com/football. They explain what is so special about the African Cup of Nations, how it feels for a star African player to return to their home continent and the atmosphere and experience you can expect in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea this year. Some of the players interviewed include Asamoah Gyan of Ghana, Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast, Kadar Mangane of Senegal, Didier Ovono of Gabon and Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina Faso.

Under Armour recently signed a multiyear partnership with England international and Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson. Matt Under Armour will supply Tottenham Hotspur’s kit for the 2012/13 season, as part of its technical partnership deal, which was announced last year. Dawson, who began his career at Nottingham Forrest in 2001, moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2005 after a successful spell as captain of the England U21 team. He also captains Tottenham Hotspur on a regular basis, and helped the Club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 2010.