Puma returns to sales growth in Americas despite ‘volatile’ market

GERMAN sportswear brand Puma’s first-quarter sales met expectations on Wednesday (May 8), sending its shares rising more than 4 per cent, helped by demand for its retro shoes and a return to growth in the Americas region, the company said.

Currency-adjusted sales rose 0.5 per cent to 2.1 billion euros (S$3.1 billion), in line with the 2.1 billion expected by analysts, Refinitiv data showed.

Demand for retro shoe styles such as ‘terrace’ has helped boost sales of sportswear brands like Puma and its rival Adidas at a time when the sector has been hit by weaker consumer demand and excess stocks.

“We already see that sales of our trending terrace and skate styles Palermo and Suede XL are accelerating month over month,” chief executive Arne Freundt said in a statement.

Shares rose 4.3 per cent to 47.15 euros in early trading.

“No miss could provide some relief to the shares this morning,” given a weakness in the share price so far this year, analysts at JPMorgan wrote in a note to clients.

The Americas region recorded positive sales growth for the first time in four quarters, the company said, growing by 1 per cent to 790 million euros, with the US showing a sequential improvement.

While retail partners are still working through elevated stock levels, the company expects further improvement in the second quarter, Freundt said.

Reported sales for the group declined 3.9 per cent from a year earlier, with currencies hitting sales in euro terms by around 100 million euros in the quarter, the company said.

SEE ALSO

Puma hones focus on speed in Olympic battle with Adidas and Nike

Puma launches 100 million euro share buyback programme

Puma sees sneaker demand picking up in second half of year

Puma’s wholesale business declined by 2.9 per cent currency-adjusted to 1.61 million euros. REUTERS