ASICS targets 200 stores in India by 2026

Japanese sportswear giant ASICS has inaugurated its largest store in India, a sprawling 2,800 sq. ft. flagship in Delhi’s Connaught Place that offers an immersive retail experience across its Performance Running, Core Performance Sport, SportStyle and Apparel categories.

The store design features impactful wall displays, dedicated product zones and a custom graffiti mural that fuses ASICS’ founding philosophy of “Sound Mind, Sound Body” with Delhi’s cultural heritage, creating a visual landmark for shoppers and tourists alike.

ASICS India, buoyed by strong domestic growth, plans to expand its retail footprint to 200 stores by the end of 2026, with its first company-owned store set to open later this year. Traditionally known for its performance footwear, the brand has been diversifying into the lifestyle and athleisure space through its SportStyle collection, aiming to appeal to a wider audience beyond elite runners and fitness enthusiasts.

“India’s footwear market is on a strong growth trajectory, projected to expand at a CAGR of 12.2%. With the launch of our largest flagship store in Connaught Place, we are strengthening ASICS’ physical footprint and creating a vibrant space that brings together community, creativity, and high-performance innovation. This store reflects our commitment to fueling India’s dynamic sneaker and running culture, and marks a pivotal step in our journey to inspire movement across the country,” said Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia.

ASICS’s pricing in India places it firmly in the premium segment, with around 75% of its products above ₹12,000, positioning it alongside the top tiers of Nike and Adidas running shoes. Entry-level models from Nike and Adidas start around ₹7,000–₹8,000, but their top-end performance shoes also exceed ₹12,000.

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ASICS is targeting both metros and smaller cities, with plans for four to five more company-owned outlets in major urban centres while expanding its franchise footprint to reach emerging markets. Nike and Adidas, meanwhile, are also ramping up their presence in India. Nike has opened a new store at Oberoi Sky City Mall in Mumbai recently and another at Pacific Mall in Delhi with digital walls and running zones, while Adidas continues its expansion drive through high-visibility concept stores in metros.

India’s footwear industry, valued at about $18.8 billion in 2024, is expected to grow to $46 billion by 2033, powered by rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanisation, growing health and fitness awareness, and an appetite for fashionable, high-performance products.

Within this, the athletic footwear segment earned approximately $6.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to hit $11.3 billion by 2030. The sneakers sub-segment, particularly popular with younger consumers, is valued at $3.2 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach $4.5 billion by 2030, underscoring the growing cultural and style-led appeal of footwear. Globally, the footwear market is expected to grow from USD 495 billion in 2025 to $790 billion by 2032, with Asia-Pacific accounting for more than a third of sales.

The Connaught Place flagship is more than just a store opening; it reflects ASICS’s strategic bet on India’s emerging sneaker culture and premium athletic market. For younger consumers, sneakers are no longer just sports gear—they are a blend of performance, identity and fashion, often amplified by social media and influencer trends. By integrating immersive design elements like the graffiti wall and offering its complete product range in one destination, ASICS is positioning itself to capture both the performance-focused runner and the fashion-conscious urban youth.

Against the backdrop of intensifying competition from global giants and strong homegrown brands such as Metro Brands, Relaxo, and Campus Activewear, ASICS’s expansion signals a determined push to secure a bigger share of one of the fastest-growing footwear markets in the world.

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