2008 PRODUCT LAUNCH SCHEDULE
| Product |
Brand |
Launch Date |
| Predator® PowerSwerve football boot |
adidas |
Nov. 2007 |
| adiPure football boot |
adidas |
Dec. 2007 |
| UEFA EURO 2008™ Match Ball, EUROPASS |
adidas |
Dec. 2007 |
| adiSTAR Control 4 running shoe |
adidas |
Jan. |
| adidas Originals “Handbags For Feet” collection |
adidas |
Jan. |
| adidas Originals Denim by Diesel apparel collection | adidas |
Feb. |
| Stella McCartney “Golf” apparel collection | adidas |
Feb. |
| adidas Originals “adidas Grün” collection | adidas |
Mar. |
| adiZero CS running shoe |
adidas |
Mar. |
| F50 TUNiT™ football boot |
adidas |
Mar. |
| miCoach training system |
adidas |
Mar./Apr. |
| Women’s Yatra training collection |
adidas |
Jul. |
| adiSTAR Revolt running shoe | adidas |
Sep. |
| Team Signature Creator basketball shoe |
adidas |
Oct. |
| Men’s training adidas TECHFIT™ POWERWEB |
adidas |
Dec. |
| Freestyle Cities Collection |
Reebok |
throughout 2008 |
| Avon Pink Ribbon collection |
Reebok |
Jan./Feb. |
| Hex Ride Rally running shoe |
Reebok |
Feb. |
| KFS Sprintfit II Pro football boot |
Reebok |
Feb.–Jul. |
| Vince Young Electrify SD (American football boot) |
Reebok |
May |
| Voltron Men’s footwear collection |
Reebok |
Jun. |
| Premier Verona KFS running shoe |
Reebok |
Jul. |
| Yao Pump Omni Hex Ride basketball shoe |
Reebok |
Aug. |
| Women’s American football apparel collection |
Reebok |
Aug./Sep. |
| Big Papi 2M (baseball footwear) |
Reebok |
Oct. |
| Rbk OPS 7K Sickick Stick |
Reebok-CCM Hockey |
Nov. 2007 |
| CCM Vector U+ Stick |
Reebok-CCM Hockey |
May |
| Rockport Signature Series |
Rockport |
Mar. |
| Tour Preferred® Red Red und Black |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Jan. |
| Burner® and Burner® TP balls |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Jan. |
| TOUR360 LTD adidas Golf shoe |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Feb. |
| TECHFIT™ POWERWEB adidas Golf apparel line |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Mar. |
| r7® CGB MAX Limited driver |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Apr. |
| r7® CGB MAX Rescue hybrid |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Apr. |
| Tour Burner® TP driver |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Apr. |
| Tour Burner® iron |
TaylorMade-adidas Golf |
Apr. |
GROUP GROSS MARGIN TO FURTHER IMPROVE
In 2008, the
adidas Group gross margin is expected to increase modestly
to a range of 47.5 to 48 %, driven by improvements in all three
brand segments.
Gross margin improvement in the adidas segment will be largely related to further own-retail expansion and an improving product and regional mix.
We also anticipate a gross margin improvement in the Reebok segment due to an improving product mix as a result of the focus on higher-margin product segments. Lower clearance activities as well as an improving distribution and regional mix are also expected to contribute to gross margin expansion within the Reebok segment. Further, for both adidas and Reebok, we will continue our efforts to increase operational efficiency throughout the Group’s supply chain in 2008, which will continue to positively impact cost of sales.
The gross margin at TaylorMade-adidas Golf is also expected to increase, largely driven by an improving product mix and lower clearance activities.
In addition, the expiration of the Group’s cooperation agreement with Amer Sports Corporation in the first quarter of 2008 is expected to support gross margin development in the HQ / Consolidation segment. The continued strength of the euro is likely to have a modest positive impact on gross margin in 2008.
Further, positive gross margin developments in all segments are expected to moderate during the course of 2008, mainly as a result of higher raw material prices, increased freight rates and higher labor costs.
OPERATING EXPENSES TO INCREASE
In 2008, Group operating
expenses as a percentage of sales are expected to be higher
than in the prior year, as a result of increases in all three
brand segments. This mainly reflects increases in the marketing
working
budget as a percentage of sales at both adidas and
Reebok. Operating overhead costs as a percentage of sales are
expected to increase modestly in all brand segments.
MARKETING WORKING BUDGET TO INCREASE
Group marketing
working budget as a percentage of sales is expected to
increase in 2008. Marketing expenses at brand adidas are forecasted
to increase mainly in conjunction with the major 2008
sporting events: the UEFA EURO 2008™ and the Beijing 2008
Olympic Games. Reebok’s marketing working budget is forecasted
to grow as a result of the launch of Reebok’s new 2008
brand campaign “Your Move”. 
see Reebok Products and Campaigns The marketing working budget at TaylorMade-adidas Golf
is expected to remain stable as a percentage of sales in 2008.
