Chasing Gold: Li-Ning, Nike, Adidas in China

Li Ning, the incredible Chinese gymnast who won 106 medals during his career, swept China with his eponymous sportswear brand launched in 1990. The Li-Ning brand dominated the Chinese sportswear market till foreign giants like Nike and Adidas decided to focus on China in the early 2000s. Based on published sources, the case traces and compares the development of three of the largest sportswear brands operating in China — Li-Ning, Nike and Adidas. It also contrasts the performances of domestic and foreign brands in general and explores the reasons that underlie the differences in performance.