Chinese sports giant Anta Sports is acquiring a 29% stake in Puma for 1.5 billion euros, making it the largest shareholder of the struggling traditional German company.
For the "big cat" brand, this could be the lifesaving leap out of a years-long crisis.
The Details
Anta is purchasing 43 million shares from the French billionaire Pinault family (Artemis).
- With a price of 35 euros per share, Anta is paying a premium of around 62% over the last closing price—a clear signal that the Chinese see massive potential in the brand.
Big cat under pressure
Puma has lost two-thirds of its market value over the last three years and now ranks globally behind New Balance and Skechers. Ironically, the decline began when former CEO Bjørn Gulden moved to arch-rival Adidas.
- Puma also lags massively behind Adidas in China. Anta could help with distribution, branding, and supply chain—Citigroup analysts see "significant upside potential."
Good to know: Who is Anta?
- Founded in 1991 in Fujian Province, today it is the third-largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world (behind Nike and Adidas).
- In 2024, it overtook Nike as the market leader in China.
- Official sponsor of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing—Xi Jinping wore an Anta jacket.
🏔️ Anta’s brand collection: The portfolio already includes global brands such as Salomon, Wilson, Arc'teryx, and, as of last year, Jack Wolfskin. With Puma, the group now secures access to Formula 1 and strengthens its presence in Europe and North America.
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