Kathmandu— Across China, from the mountains of Tianjin to the beaches of Hainan, increased participation in outdoor activities is fueling a boom in the country's sporting goods market. This surge in demand is attracting major international brands like Decathlon, Amer Sports, and Lululemon, all reporting significant growth within the Chinese market. The expansion isn’t limited to equipment; companies are increasingly focusing on service-oriented offerings such as training and events, alongside a growing emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

Decathlon's Long-Term Commitment

Decathlon has been operating in China for nearly four decades, witnessing the growth of mass fitness firsthand. In 2025, the company reported net sales of 16.8 billion euros, a 4.0 percent year-on-year increase, with net profit rising 16 percent to 910 million euros. Vice President Yang Mulin explained that Chinese consumers now seek more than just products; they desire integrated sports solutions encompassing training, events, and community engagement. Decathlon is responding by viewing China as a key innovation hub, developing products tailored to local needs and expanding its service offerings.

Strong Performance Across the Industry

Decathlon isn’t alone in experiencing growth within China. Amer Sports, parent company of Arc'teryx, recorded revenue exceeding 1.86 billion U.S. dollars in Greater China during 2025 – a substantial 43.4 percent increase year-on-year, significantly outpacing growth in more mature markets like the Americas and Europe. Lululemon also reported a 30-percent year-on-year rise in net revenue from mainland China for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, making it their fastest-growing major market.

Domestic Brands Also Thrive

While international brands are expanding, Chinese companies are also performing strongly. ANTA Group, a leading domestic sporting goods company, reported total revenue exceeding 80 billion yuan (approximately 11.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, marking its twelfth consecutive year of positive growth. This demonstrates the strength and competitiveness of the Chinese sportswear market as a whole.

A Growing Market with Future Potential

China’s sporting goods market reached 2.49 trillion yuan in 2025, while the broader sports industry reached a size of 5.12 trillion yuan. Industry forecasts predict that China's sports industry will grow to around 7 trillion yuan by 2035, representing over 2.5 percent of GDP and becoming a significant driver of economic growth. Joe Ngai, senior partner at McKinsey’s offices in Greater China, described the country as “the world’s most hardcore gym.”

The continued expansion of both international and domestic sportswear brands signals a sustained period of growth for China's sports economy, driven by government initiatives like Healthy China 2030 and increasing consumer demand.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.