Puma sees running and fitness segment as growth driver in India

German sportswear firm Puma is seeing running and fitness segment as its one of growth drivers in India besides expansion of sales network in small cities and towns, and e-commerce segment.

"I see fitness as a growth driver for us along with running. We are in the right space as a brand. We will be able to get in innovative products," PUMA India MD Abhishek Ganguly told PTI.

"Number of marathons and races are now happening in India, even in small towns is huge, unthinkable. The scene has changed in last three years from the business prospective and from runner prospective and the products they use for running and training," he said further.

Puma's share in the segment is growing helped by its brand associations as Usain Bolt and innovative products brought here from its global fold.

"We have just launched Ignite Ultimate this season. On the women front we have launched Trainer as well as Fierce, which are fitness products. We are launching our global innovative products in the market giving access to the Indian consumer," Ganguly said.

The company which today brought 'Forever fastest store' concept in India, has plans to extend it to other leading metros.

Puma has already launched this concept globally at around 25 places in leading cities including Moscow, Berlin, Dubai, Istanbul and Shanghai.

Forever fastest store is the biggest flagship store of Puma and has around 30 to 35% exclusive stuffs.

"All the key cities would have this concept soon," Ganguly said without mentioning the time frame. He also added that some of the existing stores could be considered to be converted into the Forever Faster store.