The company attributed its improved performance to efficient operations at its directly owned stores, which turned profitable, better relationships with partners and expanding e-commerce.
Anta Sports Products Ltd, another Chinese sportswear firm, too, found glad tidings in the past couple of years, after the 2011-13 downturn kept its annual profit from surpassing the 2010 level of 1.5 billion yuan.
In 2014, however, Anta's profit reached 1.7 billion yuan. Anna's revenue in the first half year of 2015 increased 24 percent year-on-year to 5.1 billion yuan, much higher than Li Ning's 16 percent year-on-year rise in revenue in the same period.
Similarly, in the first half year of 2015, Xtep International Holdings Ltd's net profit reached 345.5 million yuan, up almost 21 percent year-on-year, while that of Peak Sport Products Co Ltd grew 45 percent year-on-year to 176 million yuan.
According to CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, the number of participants in marathons and other such outdoor physical activities doubled between 2011 and 2014.
Zhang Qing, founder of sports marketing agency Key-Solution, said running is popular among fitness-minded people.
This had a positive impact on sportswear brands, fueling sales of products like running shoes, knee supports, apparel and track suits.
The trend is expected to bring steady growth for sports brands for at least 10 years, he said.
"Sportswear firms used to focus on casuals and style, now they are turning their attention to function-specific products," said Zhang. "This requires investments in research and development and professional knowledge."
Zhang said domestic brands should invest more on professional races and marketing strategy.
"Local sportswear brands have been timid in communicating with younger generations, who swear by the 'no-baggage, no-fear' principle. Domestic brands should be more expressive to motivate such consumers."
It is said the government has a plan for the sportwear industry to continue to grow to an estimated value of 5 trillion yuan by 2025.
Runners pass Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, where the locals, always in high spirits, participate in various running and jogging activities throughout the year.
