Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO Kevin Plank is "talking to Australian landlords with a view to opening flagship stores in major cities within the next 12 months, augmenting wholesale sales through Super Retail Group's Rebel Sport chain," according to Sue Mitchell of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The company also "hopes to sell more sports T-shirts, leggings, shorts and runners to the three million Australians who have downloaded one of the company's four health and fitness apps." UA is "aiming to become one of the three top players" in the $1.38B (all figures U.S.) Australian sports apparel and footwear market "within five years, lifting revenues" to more than $76.6M. Under Armour's sales are growing in Australia by more than 40% a year, "albeit off a low base." Plank believes that retail stores "displaying more of the company's range, combined with an enhanced digital offer, will accelerate growth." The company's brick-and-mortar stores are "designed to be profitable from the outset rather than a loss-making exercise to build" its brand. Plank said, "Profitability is a culture and our culture is winning, the R of ROI is very important, so we're seeing that with our brand houses ... and we've built a model that's capable of doing that." UA has "140 stores in the U.S. and 67 stores outside the U.S. and sells online to consumers in more than 80 countries" (SMH.com.au, 3/30).
