Significant increase in orders 
For the twelfth consecutive time, orders on hand posted growth as of the year-end. At year-end 2007, orders climbed currency adjusted by 9.8% to € 1,187.7 million, due mostly to deliveries for the first and second quarter of 2008.

By product segments, currency adjusted orders for Footwear went up by 4.7% to € 721.1 million, Apparel orders climbed by 19.9% to € 397.7 million, followed by Accessories, which rose by 13.6% to € 68.9 million. 

In the EMEA regions, currency adjusted orders were up by 10.2% to € 712.0 million. Orders in the America region dropped by 3.2% to € 241.3 million on a comparable basis. The decrease is due exclusively to the US market. Orders in the Asia/Pacific region rose by 26.0% to € 234.4 million due to a significant increase in the Chinese market, in particular.

Management confirms a single-digit sales increase on a currency neutral basis
Based on financial results for the 1st Quarter of 2008, management reaffirms a currency adjusted single-digit sales growth for the fiscal year 2008 despite a continued difficult consumer environment.

During the exceptional sport year 2008 PUMA continues with its marketing investments as planed in order to support the long-term growth potential. The brand investments could affect 2008’s EBIT margin. In a volatile market environment it is difficult to outline the final impact on profitability.