ANTA Sports Officially Becomes Puma’s Largest Shareholder

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Quick Facts

  • After reports emerged in January that ANTA Sports would acquire a 29.06% stake in Puma, the deal has officially gone through
  • ANTA will not be taking over the company; instead, they will allow Puma to operate independently
  • With ANTA now owning the largest stake in the brand, it could help turn around Puma's lackluster performance in China

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ANTA Puma

There have been a ton of eyes on Nike’s stock prices and their removal from the S&P 100, but it’s not just The Swoosh going through a rocky period. Over in Germany, Puma reported an operating loss of €357.2 million, a major downturn given it reported a profit of €548.7 million in 2024. Things are still looking grim in FY2026, with the company expecting another loss, albeit only around €50 to €150 million. With Puma's financials remaining in the red, their largest shareholder, the Pinault family’s investment company Artémis, offloaded its 29.06% stake to ANTA Sports in January for $1.8 billion. Now, the deal has been made official.

ANTA Sports’ Plans with Puma

When news first emerged of ANTA Sports acquiring the largest stake in Puma, reports stated that the company was not looking for a full takeover, and that has been confirmed in a new press release from Puma. The statement read that Puma will “continue to operate as an independently managed company” and that ANTA Sports has “full respect for PUMA’s sports heritage, distinctive brand identity and corporate culture as well as its independent governance and brand autonomy.”

Ding Shizhong, Board Chairman of ANTA Sports, commented: "We are delighted to become PUMA’s largest shareholder and a long-term strategic partner. PUMA is an iconic global sports brand with a rich heritage and significant long-term potential. We have confidence in its management team and strategic direction, and look forward to contributing ANTA Group’s experience and capabilities to support PUMA’s future growth while preserving what makes the brand unique."

Puma’s China Problem

The main focus will be on the Chinese market, as the original report of the sale in January mentioned that the region accounted for only 7% of its global revenues. Since that number was reported, sales have improved, with China now representing 7.8% of the brand’s global revenue. Having a Chinese-based company holding the largest stake in Puma, especially in a time when the region is experiencing a surge in demand for Chinese products and companies, could be a major boon for Puma’s presence in the country.

We’ll have to wait and see how this move pans out for ANTA Sports, which has stakes in other companies, including Amer Sports, the parent company of Arc’teryx, Salomon, and Wilson. For more updates on the latest happenings in the sneaker world, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com