Adidas has replaced its China chief, it said on Tuesday, as the German sportswear brand looks to revive sales in the world’s second largest economy.

The company has appointed Adrian Siu to take over from Jason Thomas, who became Adidas Greater China’s managing director in 2019, it said.

Siu has held multiple roles with Adidas in Hong Kong and Shanghai and also served as the chief executive of Chinese fashion label Cosmo Lady. Thomas will assume the role of senior vice president, global franchise, Adidas added.

The company did not give a reason for the change, but said it would provide more details on its business during its full-year earnings conference on Wednesday.

In the third quarter, Adidas saw Greater China sales fall 15 percent, and the company has launched an action plan to try to revive its fortunes in the country.

Its Greater China business has been hit by pandemic restrictions and was targeted during a boycott of Western brands by Chinese consumers who criticised companies for saying they would not source cotton from Xinjiang after reports of human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims there.

Beijing denies any abuses.

By Sophie Yu, Brenda Goh and Ann Maria Shibu; Editor: Jan Harvey

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