Chairman’s message: January 2021

We hope that you had a peaceful and healthy festive season, despite all the restrictions. Being barred from visiting the beaches and purchasing alcohol during the main holiday season was a first in our country’s history.

The return to Level 3 means more hardship for many sectors of the economy, which has a knock-on effect on everyone.

shop-sa will try to assess how our industry is affected – especially by the delayed back-to-school season.

However, judging by global feedback, the stationery and office products industry is showing resilience – and in some markets even growth.
The second wave arrived with a vengeance and as expected the lockdown was extended.

shop-sa will keep you informed of developments in our weekly and monthly newsletters.

Please let us know if you are not on the mailing list. Contact Wendy on wendy@shop-sa.co.za to be added.

Now, more than ever, it is important to stay safe and maintain all protocols in the workplace and at home.

Finally, in this issue we pay tribute to a doyen in our industry, Brian Taylor, who turned 80 in December and is still general manager at Forms Media Independent Africa in Johannesburg.

Hans Servas
Chairman