Japan’s sportswear brand Mizuno eyes India entry

Japan-based sportswear company ‘Mizuno’ has joined hands with Stag International to enter the lucrative Indian market. Both have signed an exclusive distribution agreement. Stag International already has tie-ups with global brands like Nike, Adidas, Disney and NordicTrack. Mizuno will enter the country with its Spring/Summer 2016 collection in October 2015.

The brand will offer a wide variety of products, under running, soccer and indoor sports categories, across India through an extensive distribution network which will include exclusive stores, multi-brand outlets and ecommerce platforms.

Recently, Asics, the Japanese sports shoes and apparel company, which earlier had distribution partnership with Reliance, opened it office in Gurgaon. The company is looking at manufacturing as well as retailing its range in India through mono-brand stores. Amid competition from established sports-fitness-lifestyle brands such as Reebok, Adidas, Nike and Puma in India, these new entrants may find it difficult to carve a niche. It would be interesting to see this segment growing with global players innovating to grab a pie.