Li-Ning
Li Ning Company Limited · China
Li-Ning is a Chinese sportswear brand founded in 1990 by Li Ning, the gymnast who won six medals at the 1984 Olympics. Based in Beijing and led by its founder as chairman, it is one of China's largest domestic sportswear brands and has gained international fashion attention through shows in Paris.
| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Li Ning, Olympic gymnast |
| Chairman | Li Ning |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Legal domicile | Cayman Islands |
| Website | lining.com |
What is Li-Ning?
Li-Ning is a sportswear and sports equipment brand headquartered in Beijing, with its legal domicile in the Cayman Islands. It makes basketball and running footwear, athletic and lifestyle apparel and sports equipment. The brand is named after its founder, Li Ning, who remains chairman of the board.
History
Li Ning won three gold, two silver and one bronze medal in gymnastics at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which made him a national hero in China. He founded the company in 1990, at a time when the domestic sportswear market was just beginning to develop. The brand became a symbol of Chinese sporting identity, and its profile rose further when Li Ning lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The company opened a US headquarters and flagship store in Portland, Oregon, in 2010, and has built partnerships with international athletes in basketball and other sports.
Products and positioning
Li-Ning sits in the mid-market of Chinese sportswear. Its range includes:
- Basketball footwear and apparel
- Running, training and badminton products
- Athleisure and lifestyle clothing
- The fashion-oriented China Li-Ning line
In January 2020 the brand held a show during Paris menswear fashion week to mark its thirtieth anniversary, continuing a strategy of presenting Chinese sportswear on international fashion stages.
Business model and distribution
Li-Ning sells mainly in China through a large network of retail stores, some owned directly and others operated by franchisees and distributors, together with online channels. Distribution partners serve selected international markets, such as India. According to Wikipedia, revenue reached 14.46 billion yuan in 2020.
Why it matters
Li-Ning is a key example of the rise of domestic brands in China's sportswear market, often grouped with the guochao trend of consumers favouring Chinese labels. Together with Anta, it is one of the main local competitors to Nike and Adidas in the world's second-largest consumer market.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Li-Ning?
Li-Ning was founded in 1990 by Li Ning, the Chinese gymnast who won six medals, including three golds, at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He remains chairman of the company.
Where is Li-Ning from?
Li-Ning is a Chinese brand headquartered in Beijing. It sells mainly in China but has also built an international profile through athlete partnerships and shows in Paris.