default-output-block.skip-main
BoF Logo

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Adidas Hikes Outlook Despite Hit to China Sales

Adidas footwear. Shutterstock.

German sportswear company Adidas raised its outlook for full-year sales and profitability as demand soared in most of the world but took a hit in China where Western brands faced a boycott of their products in late March.

Adidas said its confidence was underlined by the planned launch of products such as new versions of its popular NMD sneakers, as well as sports events like the Olympics and the start of the club soccer season in Europe.

Second-quarter sales soared 52 percent to 5.077 billion euros ($6.01 billion), while operating profit came in at 543 million euros, beating analysts’ average forecasts for 4.97 billion euros and 458 million euros respectively.

Adidas now expects 2021 sales to grow up to 20 percent, compared to a previous forecast for a “high-teens percentage rate”, and for net income from continuing operations to reach 1.4-1.5 billion euros, up from a previous 1.25-1.45 billion.

Currency-neutral sales almost doubled in North America and Europe, Middle East and North Africa in the quarter, but fell 16 percent in Greater China, in part because the region saw a strong recovery a year ago as it emerged from coronavirus lockdown.

Western brands including Adidas faced online attacks in China in late March over past statements saying they would not source cotton from Xinjiang after reports of human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims. Beijing denies any such abuses.

Adidas said in May it had initially seen a steep drop in demand in China but sales had since recovered slowly but steadily. It did not comment on the tension on Thursday, beyond referring to the “geo-political situation”.

Reporting by Emma Thomasson Editing by Tomasz Janowski

Learn more:

Why Adidas Is Selling Reebok

The German sportswear giant has more urgent priorities as it navigates out of the pandemic, and Reebok’s rich sneaker archive could be appealing to a range of buyers.

In This Article
Topics
Organisations

© 2022 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Retail
Chronicle the ‘Retail Apocalypse’ and emerging retail models, including DTC brands.




view more

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
The Business of Beauty - Global Forum
© 2023 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and Accessibility Statement.
The Business of Beauty - Global Forum