ANTA Sports Secures 29.06% Stake in PUMA, Becomes Leading Shareholder

ANTA Sports announced the purchase of a 29.06% equity interest in PUMA SE, thereby becoming the German company's largest shareholder. The investment aligns with ANTA's "single-focus, multi-brand, globalization" plan and is intended to boost PUMA's performance across global markets, with particular focus on China. Ding Shizhong, ANTA's board chairman, said the partnership will combine ANTA's retail and operational expertise with PUMA's heritage and brand strength, while preserving PUMA's independent governance.

PUMA CEO Arthur Hoeld welcomed the stake, describing it as a vote of confidence in the brand's strategy and a step toward becoming a top-three global sports brand. ANTA will seek appropriate representation on PUMA's supervisory board but has ruled out any takeover offer. The transaction underscores the growing trend of Chinese firms expanding their presence in the international sports apparel sector.