Running footwear boosts ASICS Europe - sportstextiles: Lea SportsTextiles

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Running footwear boosts ASICS Europe

05/08/2011
Athletic footwear and apparel brand ASICS Europe has reported an overall net sales increase of 21% for the first quarter of 2011.

It said the growth was a result of running footwear posting one of the highest sales figures in recent years with turnover rising by 34%;  the key performance running market, Germany, posted particularly outstanding figures. Higher price-point products and the development of new categories, such as trail running, also drove the growth.

Double-digit growth figures were also seen in other sports categories, such as indoor sports and tennis.

There were positive developments in the apparel business with a double-digit increase in the performance collection, whilst tennis doubled in size. During 2010 ASICS successfully re-organised the apparel design and development team in Europe, with headquarters in the Netherlands. This unit is on track to quadruple turnover by 2015, the company has said. In Europe, apparel is seen as the biggest growth opportunity and now contributes for nearly 40% of sales in own-brand retail outlets.

Exceptional performance ensured that ASICS defended its position as the number-one volleyball brand in Germany and Italy; these two countries are key markets for this sector. It also grew the sales of handball in Germany and France and the company is on course to overtake its closest rival in indoor footwear.

Regions across Europe performed well. Russia reported triple-digit growth, and significant double-digit growth was seen in the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland. Strong double-digit growth was also seen in France and Benelux.

Alistair Cameron, chief executive of ASICS Europe said on announcing the results: “We are outperforming the market in all key sports categories, whilst reinforcing our position as undisputed leader in running. With a clear strategy to develop ASICS as the true sport performance brand, we are ideally positioned for the Olympic year and beyond. With major product launches planned in the next six months, we are looking to continue the strong positive trend. We are on course to deliver ASICS' goal for long-term sustainable growth.”

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