Puma has taking advantage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The company is planning an expansion in the Chinese market with hundreds of new stores and the launch of a new Olympic collection.
Joerg Zobel is manager of Puma Asia-Pacific. He said "Beijing Olympics is a very good opportunity and platform to showcase our products in China. The Olympics collection will definitely be our focus in the first half of next year."
According to a report by CEOCIO China magazine, Puma will open new boutiques next year in main as well as second- and third-tier Chinese cities. Its plan in China is to increase retail spots from 400 to 1,600 next year and to bulk up wtih 50 percent growth this year.
But Zobel admitted the Chinese market is "very competitive". Almost all sports brands from home and abroad have aggressive Olympics plans. Nike, the No 1 international sports brand and the most high profile in China, supports several Chinese Olympic endeavors, including the swimming team.
Adidas is expanding as well. Sources said the company plans to double its number of stores to 5,000 in 500 cities by the end of 2010.
Local brands such as Li Ning have also become more aggressive these past years. Li Ning has over 4,000 retail spots today.
"Puma is not afraid of competition," said Zobel. "China is the fastest growing market in Asia and one of the biggest markets in Asia, if not the biggest. Our growth is very close to that of our major competitors."
Puma's confidence comes from its new owner: PPR Group, France's leading luxury product supplier which also owns Gucci and YSL. PPR has acquired 65 percent of Puma, according to a recent public announcement.
To attract Chinese consumers, Puma plans to support individual sports stars. In the past, it has supported national soccer teams of Italy, Sweden and Jamaica.
"If we find the right persons, we will consider partnering with those Chinese sports stars," Zobel said.
Questions:
1.Joerg Zobel holds what position with Puma?
2.Puma wants to expand its number of retail locations from 400 to how many next year?
3.Li Ning, a Chinese shoe manufacturer, has how many outlets in China today?
Answers:
1.General manager of Puma Asia-Pacific.
2.1,600.
3.4,000.
（英語點津 Celene 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
