German sports brand Puma AG’s first quarter sales grew 7.4% on a currency neutral basis (2% in euro terms) to €655.8 million ($889.6 million). Footwear sales were up 9% to €413.5 million, apparel by 4.8% to €200.7 million and accessories by 4.7% to €41.7 million.

Sales in the EMEA region increased  by 8% reaching €360.9 million versus €339.3 million last year. Sales in the Americas were up 4.5% to €174.3 million. Despite the announced consolidation in the US market, sales were only slightly down to $156.2 million in the first quarter. However, end-of-quarter orders for the US declined 17.6%. The Asia/Pacific region showed a sales increase of 8.6% to €120.6 million with a strong double-digit increase in China.

Consolidated orders were up by 1.4% to €1,062.8 million. In terms of product segments, footwear decreased by 4.5% to €654.5 million, while apparel was up 15.4% to €343.2 million and accessories 0.1% to €65.1 million.

Due to the order situation at the end of the first quarter, the company now expects 2007 sales and earnings growth in the low single-digits.