Sports Brand ASICS Set Up Venture Capital Department

Japanese sports brand

Recently announced the establishment of venture capital sector, and set up a 3 billion yen Fund (equivalent to 2760 Wan Meijin) in two years to invest in sports, life and health, innovation technology and sustainability in the field of start-up projects to help companies in sports equipment, wearable devices and

Material development breakthrough, later will increase investment as needed.

Investing in new sports technology is part of ASICS's five year strategic plan.

This train of thought is also reflected in the earnings figures released at the beginning of ASICS.

Although sales of ASICS in various markets have risen to varying degrees in the past year, for example, sales in the United States and Europe have increased by 14.5% and 10.7% respectively. The most powerful growth is Oceania / Southeast Asia and South Asia (growth of 20.8%, mainly due to strong sales performance in Australian running shoes). In 2015, the annual sales volume was 4285 yen billion yen, 21% higher than the same period in the previous year, but considering its investment in research and development, ASICS's profit margin declined.

This family was founded in 1949.

The brand is expected to achieve a combined net sales of 750 billion yen (equivalent to US $6 billion 570 million) in 2020.

Although ASICS is the undisputed ruling brand in Japan, ASICS seems to know something about the expansion of the international market. In recent years, it has only begun to plan the layout of stores and set up overseas logistics centers, including overseas electronic business platforms.

In the new ASICS five year plan, the sales area will be divided into seven regions: Japan, the Americas, EMEA (Europe / Middle East / Africa), Greater China, South Korea, Oceania, Southeast Asia and South Asia. We hope to strengthen the whole group's governance and risk control through the "global quick report".

There is another important significance for ASICS in 2020, that is, the summer Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo.

ASICS, as a partner of Tokyo Olympic Games, will provide uniform clothing for Japanese national athletes and volunteers.

According to Nikkei's report, the new project of ASICS investment is also aimed at making competitive products before 2020, and the European and American brands such as Nike and so on.

In any case, for the ASICS who is eager to make breakthroughs in the international market, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which occupy the home advantage, is the best opportunity for them.