Anta Sports is actively seeking to acquire a 29% stake in Puma, and reportedly has the intention to make a direct purchase of Artemis, which is controlled by the Pinault family. This move comes against the backdrop of the Chinese sportswear giant’s past investment in Amer Sports, which owns brands like Salomon and Arc’teryx. According to Business of Fashion, Anta has been preparing funds to tackle this potential acquisition, but currently, negotiations have hit a deadlock.
As the potential deal surfaces, Puma’s market value has taken a significant hit. Despite new CEO Arthur Hoeld’s efforts to reverse the decline in revenue, the brand, even with a relaunch of classic sneaker styles like the Speedcat, still faces threats from competitors like On and Hoka. Reports indicate that Artemis is holding firm on a price exceeding €40 per share (about $47), a figure notably above the recent market trading levels.
This acquisition continues Anta’s strategy of advancing global expansion through the acquisition of Western assets. As for updates regarding the transaction, neither party has made any official comment.
