What 厦门特步投资有限公司 does

Xtep Group, operating through its China-domiciled subsidiary Xiamen Xtep Investment Co., Ltd. (特步投资有限公司), is a Hong Kong-listed (1368.HK) multi-brand sportswear company headquartered in Xiamen, Fujian. Founded in 1987 with the Xtep brand established in 2001, the group designs, manufactures, and sells running shoes, sports apparel, and accessories under the core Xtep brand, the Xtep Kids children's line, and four acquired international brands: Saucony (premium running, founded 1898), Merrell (hiking, founded 1981, sold in 155+ countries), Palladium (French fashion athletic, founded 1947), and K-Swiss (tennis, founded 1966).

The core product platform is the 160X Champion Edition running shoe and its associated cushioning/energy-return technology, validated by 8 RUNNER'S WORLD global running shoe awards plus ISPO Textrends, German Red Dot, and German IF design awards. Beyond products, Xtep operates a community/service ecosystem — the Xtep Runners Association (特跑族) with 2.5M+ members across 300+ cities, 303 runner association branches, and 70+ dedicated Xtep Running Club locations providing race, social, equipment, and professional services (foot-type testing, medal engraving, training courses). Distribution combines owned retail stores, a Tmall flagship store, WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, and authorized dealer networks across China.

Revenue is generated through unit-pricing hardware sales across entry-level, premium performance, and lifestyle tiers, sold direct-to-consumer via physical retail, e-commerce, and running club channels. Go-to-market blends direct-to-consumer e-commerce, community-led grassroots marketing through running clubs, and event-driven credibility-building via marathon and athletic sponsorships — supporting six named athlete ambassadors including marathoners He Jie and Yang Shaohui and Olympic shot-put medalist Gong Lijiao. The 2019 multi-brand acquisitions and 2022 'World Running Shoes, Chinese Xtep' brand repositioning signal a deliberate shift toward premiumization and internationalization.

Name

厦门特步投资有限公司

Legal name

特步（中国）有限公司

Website

https://xtep.com.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Xtep Group is a Hong Kong-listed (1368.HK) Chinese multi-brand sportswear company designing and selling running shoes, apparel, and accessories under Xtep, Xtep Kids, Saucony, Merrell, Palladium, and K-Swiss, serving professional and amateur runners, children, and mass sports consumers across China via retail stores, e-commerce, and 70+ running clubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sportswear and Athletic Footwear

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Shoe Retailers (45821), Footwear Merchant Wholesalers (424340)

SIC

Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Performance Socks, Underlayers & Active Essentials (CRAAAEAJ)

Keywords

• Running shoes
• Sports apparel
• Athletic footwear
• Multi-brand sportswear
• Running club services

Headquarters

HQ city

厦门市, 福建省

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sports Footwear Sales: Core revenue from designing, manufacturing and selling running shoes and sports footwear under Xtep and subsidiary brands including Saucony, Merrell, Palladium, and K-Swiss.
2. Sports Apparel and Accessories: Sales of sports clothing, apparel and accessories including the Xtep Kids line targeting children and the general sports consumer market.
3. Retail and E-commerce: Direct consumer sales through owned retail stores, e-commerce platforms including Tmall flagship store, and dealer/authorized retailer network across China.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Xtep designs, manufactures, and sells sports footwear and apparel under the Xtep core brand and a portfolio of acquired international brands (Saucony, Merrell, Palladium, K-Swiss), plus the Xtep Kids children's line. The company monetizes these products through owned retail stores, e-commerce on Tmall, WeChat and Alipay mini-programs, an authorized dealer network, and 70+ dedicated running club locations. Beyond products, Xtep operates the 特跑族 (Tebopao) runner community platform with 2.5M+ members and delivers running services including training courses, foot type testing, and medal engraving.

Product overview

Xtep Group is a diversified, multi-brand sportswear company with a main Xtep brand and several acquired international brands. The core Xtep brand focuses on running shoes and athletic apparel, with flagship products like the 160X champion edition running shoes. The portfolio includes Saucony (premium running), Merrell (hiking), Palladium (fashionable athletic), and K-SWISS (tennis), plus Xtep Kids for children's sports. Beyond products, Xtep operates service platforms including Tebopao (runner community with 2.5+ million members across 300+ cities) and Xtep Running Clubs (70+ locations providing race, social, equipment, and service offerings).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 特步儿童: 定位'特步儿童 运动专家 更懂运动成长'的品牌，聚焦运动场景，为中国儿童提供专业产品及综合解决方案
• Saucony (索康尼)
• Merrell (迈乐)
• Palladium (帕拉丁)
• K-SWISS

Products and services

• 特步 Xtep Main Brand Sportswear Mass-market comprehensive sportswear brand focused on the running category, including signature products such as the 160X Champion Edition running shoe, 360-ECO low-carbon running shoe, and technology running shoes engineered for Chinese runners. Sold through retail stores, e-commerce, and running clubs to professional athletes and mass-market consumers.
• 特步儿童 Xtep Kids Children's sportswear brand positioned as 'Sports Expert, Better Understanding of Children's Athletic Development' (运动专家 更懂运动成长), offering professional sports products and comprehensive solutions for children's sports needs across different age groups.
• Saucony 索康尼 Premium global running brand founded in 1898, known for running innovation, style, and running culture. Integrated into Xtep's multi-brand portfolio in 2019 as a premium running shoe option for Chinese consumers.
• Merrell 迈乐 Global hiking footwear brand established in 1981, known for unique design concepts, exquisite craftsmanship, and excellent performance. Products sold in 155 countries and regions worldwide. Integrated into Xtep's portfolio in 2019.
• Palladium 帕拉丁 French fashion athletic brand founded in 1947 in Lyon, France. Offers products combining workwear military style, French vintage, and outdoor exploration aesthetics. Integrated into Xtep's portfolio in 2019.
• K-SWISS 盖世威 Premium tennis sports fashion brand founded in 1966 in California, USA. Known for launching the world's first genuine leather tennis shoe. Operates over 4,000 stores globally. Integrated into Xtep's portfolio in 2019.
• 特跑族 Tebopao Runner Community Platform Runner service platform established August 18, 2012, hosting organized running activities in cities nationwide. Currently has over 2.5 million runner members across 300+ cities and 303 affiliated running club branches.
• 特步跑步俱乐部 Xtep Running Club One-stop running experience center integrating races, social, equipment, and services. Provides professional running services including T-shirt printing, medal engraving, running courses, foot type testing, and running experience areas. Over 70 clubs across major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and others.

Quantifiable outcome

• 141 Chinese athletes supported, 620 marathon championships won
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• China Youth Development Foundation (中国青少年发展基金会)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023During the July 2023 floods in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Xtep partnered with China Youth Development Foundation to urgently donate materials worth 20 million RMB for disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
• China Children and Women Foundation (中国儿童少年基金会)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2022Following the September 5, 2022 Ganzi, Sichuan earthquake (magnitude 6.8), Xtep partnered with China Children and Women Foundation to provide emergency relief supplies worth over 5 million RMB including warm down jackets to help earthquake-affected children.
• Chinese Athletic Association (中国田径协会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Xtep partners with Chinese Athletic Association for marathon events and running sports development. Xtep shoes have helped 141 Chinese athletes win 620 marathon championships, establishing Xtep as the preferred brand for Chinese professional runners.
• Saucony (索康尼)coreOthers · 1 January 2019Xtep acquired or partnered with Saucony in 2019. Founded in 1898, Saucony is a leading global running brand known for innovation, style, and running culture. The brand is positioned as a premium running shoe option within Xtep's multi-brand portfolio.
• Merrell (迈乐)coreOthers · 1 January 2019Xtep acquired or partnered with Merrell in 2019. Founded in 1981, Merrell is a globally known hiking shoe brand with products sold in 155+ countries and regions, positioned as a leader in the global hiking footwear sector.
• Palladium (帕拉丁)majorOthers · 1 January 2019Xtep acquired or partnered with Palladium in 2019. Founded in 1947 in Lyon, France, Palladium is a fashion sports brand known for military work boots, French vintage style, and outdoor exploration products.
• K-Swiss (盖世威)majorOthers · 1 January 2019Xtep acquired or partnered with K-Swiss in 2019. Founded in 1966 in California, USA, K-Swiss launched the world's first genuine leather tennis shoe and is positioned as a premium tennis and sports fashion brand with 4,000+ stores globally.
• China Next Generation Education Foundation (中国下一代教育基金会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Xtep has partnered with China Next Generation Education Foundation since 2017 for the '爱起航·特别成长计划' (Love Sets Sail - Special Growth Plan) charity program. As of 2023, Xtep has donated materials worth nearly 200 million RMB, benefiting nearly 700,000 students across 4,200+ schools in 20 provinces. In June 2023, the partnership was extended for another four years with a commitment to donate 100 million RMB in sports equipment.
• China Rural Development Foundation (中国乡村发展基金会)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Xtep partnered with China Rural Development Foundation (formerly China Poverty Alleviation Foundation) from 2015 to 2020, providing materials worth over 50 million RMB through 'Warm Winter Action' and disaster relief operations to benefit disadvantaged people in remote areas.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• adidas AG: adidas competes with Xtep in performance running (Adios Pro line), lifestyle athletic footwear, and global sportswear, with broader category coverage including soccer and training that overlaps Xtep's portfolio.
• Skechers USA Inc. Skechers is a global athletic and casual footwear company competing in the comfort and performance running category alongside Xtep, with comparable distribution into Chinese retail channels and overlapping target consumers.
• New Balance Athletics, Inc. New Balance is a global athletic footwear brand competing with Xtep in performance running and lifestyle categories, with a comparable focus on running heritage and direct premium positioning strategy.
• PUMA SE: PUMA competes with Xtep in performance running, training, and lifestyle athletic footwear globally, with a comparable multi-category sportswear portfolio and similar mass-to-premium tier positioning.
• Under Armour, Inc. Under Armour is a global performance athletic apparel and footwear company competing with Xtep in running, training, and sportswear categories with comparable brand positioning around athletic performance.
• Nike, Inc. Nike is the global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, competing with Xtep in the premium running category (Vaporfly, Alphafly) and dominating the global performance running consumer that Xtep's 160X line targets.

Direct peers

• Li Ning Company Limited: Li Ning (HKEX: 2331) is a leading Chinese sportswear brand directly competing with Xtep in performance footwear, basketball, and running categories, with a comparable Hong Kong-listed public structure and similar China-focused distribution strategy.
• 361 Degrees International Limited: 361 Degrees (HKEX: 1361) is a Hong Kong-listed Chinese sportswear company targeting mass-market athletic footwear and apparel, directly comparable to Xtep's core brand positioning and tier of competition within mainland China.
• Peak Sport Products Co., Limited: Peak Sports is a Chinese athletic footwear and apparel company with comparable mass-market positioning and China-centric distribution, competing with Xtep for value-tier running and basketball shoe market share.
• Anta Sports Products Limited: Anta Sports (HKEX: 2020) is China's largest domestic sportswear company and Xtep's most direct competitor, also operating a multi-brand portfolio including FILA, Descente, and Kolon Sport, targeting the same Chinese mass-market and premium athletic consumer across footwear and apparel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%E5%8E%A6%E9%97%A8%E7%89%B9%E6%AD%A5%E6%8A%95%E8%B5%84%E6%9C%89%E9%99%90%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 厦门特步投资有限公司