With sales up 23 per cent, ASICS was the fastest growing women’s running footwear brand during the first quarter of 2013, according to market research specialist the NPD Group.
Country by country, ASICS Europe posted impressive sales in France (up 63 per cent) and Germany (up 13 per cent).
As a whole, the company continued to grow across the continent, delivering an overall net sales increase of three per cent between January and March 2013, with ASICS Austria and Russia contributing especially strong growth.
The brand performed well in performance running, with apparel sales rising by 35 per cent and footwear by five per cent.
In tennis it recorded double digit growth figures in both apparel and footwear.
Sales in ASICS’ own retail outlets increased by 60 per cent.
“Despite trading conditions continuing to be challenging, ASICS Europe has maintained growth from 2012 into the first quarter of 2013,” Alistair Cameron, CEO of ASICS Europe, says.
“Particularly pleasing is ASICS’ position as the fastest growing brand for women’s running, an indication of the positive effect of our female oriented global advertising campaign.
“ASICS’ brand monitoring has also shown the highest ever brand awareness level – another indication of the positive effect of our media investment and marketing activities.
“We expect the second quarter of 2013 to yield even higher growth than the first quarter of the year.”
