Adidas in the running for sales growth

It now has 14 owned shops and 24 franchised outlets.

The company will expand more through franchising, which is believed to help the company drive sales in Bangkok and other major cities, including Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.

Chauhan said sports attire and athletic gear was one business that had been trampled by the economic crisis that but that Adidas had already reached its sales target, especially for sports footwear.

However, sales of sport shirts have dropped.

Even though the economy is expected to improve in the remainder of the year, the company will still work hard, he said.

"We must hold marketing activities to maintain sales growth. We'll focus on three footwear segments - football, running and original - promoting them to welcome the coming of the World Cup 2010," Chauhan said. "This tournament is expected to boost sales of the company's sport products."

Adidas (Thailand) yesterday launched a new football shoe model called the F50i Spark, the company's most significant highlight this year.