Puma pounces on the Polish market
Last year saw Puma AG significantly improve its global sales and it is now turning its focus on Poland.
"Out of all the new EU members, Poland is the most important market for us," Puma AG's chief executive, Jochen Zeitz, said. The company has been on the Polish market since 1998 and currently employs 120 people. However, no specific financial results of Puma Polska were disclosed, with the company simply saying that since entering the market it has enjoyed double-digit yearly growth.
"We do not publish country by country or regional results," says Zeitz. Puma Polska's chief executive, Piotr Cichecki, who added that Puma will invest in Poland, particularly in developing its distribution chain. "This year we are planning to open four monobrand outlets and more than a dozen multibrand stores," he said.
Puma AG had global sales of over EUR 2 (zł.8.3) billion in 2004, a 20-percent increase on 2003's figures. Net profit reached EUR 257.3 (zł.1,068) million, an increase of 43.5 percent from EUR 179.3 (zł.744.8) million a year before.
Puma is the equipment sponsor of the Polish national soccer team and the company hopes that the team's successful qualifying campaign and possible World Cup appearance in 2006 will further boost sales and help Puma become the "most desirable sport lifestyle brand." According to company estimates, Puma is currently the number-four brand on the sportswear market, behind Nike, Adidas and Reebok.
"Out of all the new EU members, Poland is the most important market for us," Puma AG's chief executive, Jochen Zeitz, said. The company has been on the Polish market since 1998 and currently employs 120 people. However, no specific financial results of Puma Polska were disclosed, with the company simply saying that since entering the market it has enjoyed double-digit yearly growth.
"We do not publish country by country or regional results," says Zeitz. Puma Polska's chief executive, Piotr Cichecki, who added that Puma will invest in Poland, particularly in developing its distribution chain. "This year we are planning to open four monobrand outlets and more than a dozen multibrand stores," he said.
Puma AG had global sales of over EUR 2 (zł.8.3) billion in 2004, a 20-percent increase on 2003's figures. Net profit reached EUR 257.3 (zł.1,068) million, an increase of 43.5 percent from EUR 179.3 (zł.744.8) million a year before.
Puma is the equipment sponsor of the Polish national soccer team and the company hopes that the team's successful qualifying campaign and possible World Cup appearance in 2006 will further boost sales and help Puma become the "most desirable sport lifestyle brand." According to company estimates, Puma is currently the number-four brand on the sportswear market, behind Nike, Adidas and Reebok.
