Puma, the iconic sports brand, takes a strategic step forward with the appointment of Ryokusai Inoue as the new General Manager for Puma Japan, effective immediately.
Inoue’s journey with Puma began in 2015 as Director of Retail, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a robust commercial foundation for Puma’s distribution channels in Japan. His expertise includes building formidable retail teams, contributing significantly to Puma’s success in the Japanese market.
Returning to Puma after a stint as Country Manager at Tesla, Inoue takes the reins from Kohei Hagio, who led Puma Japan since 2021. Reporting directly to CEO Arne Freundt, Inoue is poised to leverage his extensive retail experience and deep understanding of Puma’s culture, products, and distribution to elevate Puma Japan to new heights.
Arne Freundt, Puma CEO, expresses confidence in Inoue’s leadership, stating, «I am delighted that Ryokusai is returning to lead this important market. I am very confident that Ryokusai’s extensive retail experience and understanding of Puma’s culture, products, and distribution make him the right candidate to take Puma Japan to the next level.»
Despite a 1.8% decline in sales to 2.3 billion euros in the third quarter, Puma exceeded expectations with a 6% increase in revenues adjusted for currency effects. The company remains steadfast in its forecast for the current year, anticipating high single-digit percentage growth in currency-adjusted sales and expected earnings before interest and taxes ranging from 590 to 670 million euros. Puma’s strategic leadership under Inoue signals a resilient approach and positions the brand for sustained success in the dynamic sports market landscape. Explore the future of Puma Japan under Inoue’s dynamic leadership.
