Asics America Group (AAG), which includes the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, reported sales rose 1.8 percent in the first quarter and expanded 5.0 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Asics America Corp. (U.S. only) showed a steady positive 6.9 percent increase in net sales on a currency-neutral basis.
With significant growth in running apparel and specialty categories such
as Tennis and Asics Tiger lifestyle footwear, Asics America’s success
was driven by products including the GEL-LYTE III and its award-winning
GEL-Resolution® 6 tennis shoe.
“We’re pleased that Asics
America Group continues on its positive growth path, featuring excellent
numbers in key sports performance and lifestyle categories,” said Asics
America Group President and CEO, Kevin Wulff. “We have seen significant
traction in running apparel, performance tennis and Asics Tiger
footwear. These numbers bode well for the rest of 2015 and are a solid
starting point coming out of the winter months. We are excited about our
new product launches still to come this year and, as always, remain
focused on providing cutting-edge, superior performance products to our
loyal customers.”
Asics America Corporation also saw “expansive
growth” across the Apparel and Accessories categories, demonstrating
increased demand in the market. Athletic Sports Apparel grew an
impressive 49.7 percent overall, led by running apparel, which increased
70.7 percent. Accessories also were up 26.2 percent.
The two
main business drivers in the footwear category were Running Footwear and
the Asics Tiger lifestyle footwear brand. Asics Footwear won four
awards in Q1, most notably the Asics GEL-Nimbus 17, which received
Runner's World's top honor, being awarded Editor's Choice in the Summer
Shoe Guide.
Asics continued to produce innovative, unique
products this past quarter with notable signature items and launches
including the Natural 33 performance footwear collection featuring
AmpliFoam Technology, and the 2015 Asics LA Marathon 33-DFA shoe, which
debuted in conjunction with the 30th edition of the Asics LA Marathon.
Asics served as the title sponsor of the race, which took place March
15.
Asics also enjoyed steady impressive growth in the Tennis
category this quarter. Tennis Footwear sales for Asics America were up
73.0 percent and Tennis Apparel was up 70.9 percent. Tennis Magazine
recently recognized Asics’ high quality tennis performance footwear the
GEL-Resolution 6 with the Editor’s Choice Award.
