Buoyed by growth of the e-commerce and retail channels and successes within the performance running and core performance sports categories, Asics North America scored its fifth consecutive quarter of net sales growth.
In the performance running category, the Metaspeed series experienced its strongest quarter since the two shoes debuted in early 2021. The United States saw double-digit growth compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and Asics said it will soon expand the Metaspeed footwear line with Sky+ and Edge+ styles.
In the U.S., the tennis and wrestling categories led the core performance sports sector to year-over-year growth. Several footwear styles saw strong growth, including the Gel-Game model and Matcontrol2 wrestling shoe.
Further enhancing Asics’ offering in team sports, the company recently announced a new partnership with the largest sublimation manufacture in the Western Hemisphere. Sublimation offers a higher quality customization than traditional screen printing and embroidery. The process allows the color to be instilled in the garment, maintaining the original features and characteristics of the fabric. Asics’ team sports category includes volleyball, wrestling, tennis, and track and field.
“Despite several ongoing challenges faced by the footwear and apparel industry, we are proud to announce another successful quarter with a growth in sales,” said Richard Sullivan, president and CEO of Asics North America. “As we continue to navigate these persistent challenges in our future, we are thankful for our incredible retail partners and are excited for what the second quarter of 2022 has in store for the Asics brand.”
In the U.S., the e-commerce channel’s growth was attributed to a rise in new OneAsics memberships. Also, the team sports wholesale channel saw a year-over-year increase driven by strong growth across the brand’s offering of tennis, wrestling and volleyball footwear models.
In January, Asics launched its newest brand campaign, “Live Uplifted.” Throughout the first quarter, Asics debuted a series of content featuring a group of diverse and inspiring storytellers from across the country. Over the next few months, Asics will unveil an additional three pieces of content from individuals using the power of running to enact change in their communities.
As an official partner of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 set for July 15 to 24 in Eugene, Ore., Asics said it will soon reveal how the brand will be present for a celebration of the best track and field athletes in the world.