Li-Ning Company Limited (
Chinese: 李宁有限公司; Li-Níng Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī) (
SEHK:
2331) is a Chinese company which makes athletic shoes and sporting goods. Li-Ning branded products target consumers who participate in sports such as running, basketball, badminton, football, tennis, and fitness. The company endorses a number of athletes and teams, both in China and abroad.
The company was founded in 1990 by
Li Ning, a former Chinese Olympic gymnast. As of 2015, Li Ning remains the Chairman of the company's Board of Directors.
[2]
In 2005, Li-Ning created a joint-venture with French sports apparel company,
AIGLE, giving Li-Ning the exclusive right to be the sole distributor of AIGLE's products in China for 50 years.
[3]
In 2006, Li-Ning posted revenues of US$418 million, and total profits of about US$39 million. As of March 2007, there were 4,297 Li-Ning retail stores.
[4] The company directly owns some of the retail stores while others are franchised.
In January 2010, Li-Ning opened its U.S. headquarters and flagship store in
Portland, Oregon.
In 2010, Li-Ning released a new logo and a new slogan as part of the 'Revitalization' of the brand.
The official slogan of the company is "让改变发生" "Ràng Gǎibiàn Fāshēng" in Chinese, translated to "Make The Change" in English.
In January 2011, Li-Ning entered into a partnership with Chicago-based
Acquity Group[5] to expand its U.S. distribution and brand awareness.
In April 2012, Li-Ning was awarded the highest distinction of "Outstanding Contribution to Quality Standardization Award" in knitwear division at the Third National Textile Standardization Technical Committee's inaugural meeting held in
Zhuhai,
Guangdong.
In September 2012, Li-Ning signed into a partnership with NBA player Dwyane Wade.
In 2013, The Group recorded revenue of RMB2,906 million, which represents a decrease of 24.6% year-on-year, due to near-term focus on sell-in reductions, inventory clearance as well as store rationalization.
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