BUSINESS

Anta Brand CEO Resigns as Growth Slows

Published: Jul. 15, 2026 6:06 p.m. GMT+8

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Xu Yang, CEO of Anta brand, has stepped down. Photo: Anta

The head of Anta Sports Products Ltd.'s flagship brand has recently stepped down, two people familiar with the matter told Caixin, amid slowing growth and the scaling back of two high-profile retail experiments.

Anta brand CEO Xu Yang has resigned for family reasons and will be transferred to a different role, an Anta Sports spokesperson confirmed to Caixin on Wednesday, adding that the group’s co-CEO Lai Shixian will serve as acting CEO of the Anta brand with immediate effect. The brand’s long-term strategy remains unchanged, the spokesperson said.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

Anta brand CEO Xu Yang resigned for family reasons; revenue growth slowed to 3.7% in 2025.
Xu previously boosted Arc'teryx in China but oversaw Anta brand overhaul with scaled-back retail experiments.
Co-CEO Lai Shixian is acting CEO; long-term strategy unchanged.

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Who’s Who

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What Happened When

Before 2019：: Xu Yang oversaw Anta's basketball division before the acquisition of Amer Sports Inc.

2019：: Anta acquired Amer Sports Inc., and Xu Yang was appointed general manager of Arc'teryx in the Greater China region.

2023：: Arc'teryx's Greater China region became its largest market, accounting for 44% of its total revenue. Xu Yang returned to lead the Anta brand in early 2023.

2024 to 2026：: Anta set a double-digit growth target for its main brand for this period.

2025：: Revenue at the Anta brand rose 3.7% to 34.8 billion yuan, with a gross margin of 53.6%. Xu Yang stated the Anta brand aimed to overtake Nike in China within three years.

2026：: Anta acquired a 29% stake in Puma.

June 2026：: Jiemian News reported that Anta SV was folded into the sport-lifestyle footwear division, and Super Anta would stop rapid store expansion by the end of 2026.

July 15, 2026：: Anta Sports confirmed that Anta brand CEO Xu Yang resigned for family reasons, effective immediately, with co-CEO Lai Shixian serving as acting CEO.