Mentioning some NPD data, Asics Europe said it outperformed the market in the nine months from last January to September, as its sales rose by 13.2 percent over the period. Without giving specific figures for its running shoes, Asics indicates that it grew faster than the respective 4.0 percent and 7.3 percent growth calculated by NPD for the running shoe and apparel markets in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the U.K. during the first nine months of 2011.
Asics says it was the fastest-growing premium brand of sports shoes overall in terms of volume. Its total sales of footwear and performance apparel went up by 21 and 25 percent in Europe, respectively. Double-digit growth was also recorded in Europe in tennis shoes and indoor sports. Sales of tennis apparel grew by a triple-digit figure. Excellent double-digit increases were achieved in indoor sports such as handball in Germany and France and volleyball in Italy.
Triple-digit growth was recorded in Russia. Double-digit increases were scored by the sales subsidiaries of Asics in Scandinavia, France, Spain, Poland, with Spain and Poland reaching an outstanding performance. Asics Europe reports solid growth in Austria, the Benelux countries, the U.K. and Germany. Sales to European distributors grew at a double-digit rate.
Asics Europe also reports that its flagship stores across Europe have beaten sales targets, with nearly 40 percent of their sales now accounted for by apparel. Further growth is expected this year following the successful launch by Asics of its “Made of Sport” brand campaign, supported by the largest media expenditure in the company's history, and of the 33 collection of natural running shoes.
