China’s premier athletic giant, Anta Sports has altered its global trajectory by inaugurating its first North American flagship in Beverly Hills on February 13, 2026. This 3,000-sq-ft ‘brand hub’ signals a decisive transition from distributor-led exports to a high-margin direct-to-consumer (DTC) model. By bypassing traditional wholesalers, Anta aims to directly manage its narrative in the world's most competitive sportswear market. The move is strategically timed with the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, leveraging a newly signed lifetime partnership with NBA star Klay Thompson to anchor its presence alongside industry incumbents like Nike and Adidas.
Global multi-brand synergy
The expansion follows a robust fiscal 2025 performance, where the group reported record interim revenue of RMB 38.54 billion, a 14.3 per cent Y-o-Y increase. Anta's aggressive globalization is further fortified by its recent €1.5 billion acquisition of a 29 per cent stake in Puma, creating a powerful multi-brand ecosystem that includes Amer Sports (Arc’teryx, Salomon) and Fila. This flagship is a window into Chinese innovation, states Samuel Tsui, CEO, Anta Brand. Despite navigating potential geopolitical trade sensitivities and high SG&A investments, the brand is capitalizing on a 60 per cent sales growth in its outdoor and niche categories. By integrating community-centric programming like run clubs and athlete-led workshops, Anta is positioning itself as a cultural lifestyle destination rather than a mere hardware retailer.
Founded in 1991, Anta is the world's third-largest sportswear company by revenue, operating over 12,000 stores in China. Specializing in high-performance basketball, running, and technical apparel, the group targets dominant global market share by 2030, supported by an annual R&D investment exceeding RMB 1 billion and a 2026 revenue target nearing $10 billion.
