Chinese sportswear giant Li Ning has started its comprehensive distribution network in South Asia with the opening of a flagship store in Ion Orchard, Singapore, and it plans to open up to 100 badminton supplies stores in this area before the end of 2009.

Chinese sports products giant Li Ning has published its financial report for 2008, which states that due to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the company made total revenues of CNY6.69 billion in 2008, a year-on-year increase of 53.8%.

Chinese sportswear brand Li Ning has announced plans to build a manufacturing and distribution base in Jingmen, Hubei province at a total total investment of CNY3.2 billion.

In terms of increased brand awareness Chinese sportswear retailer Li Ning was a clear Olympic winner — despite the UDS866 million invested in sponsorship by 12 global brands, including Adidas which is an official Olympic sponsor.

According to LiNing's half year report, the company's business developed rapidly in the first six months of 2008 and its net profits increased by 68.3% to CNY333.7 million.

Li Ning has announced that the company has signed an agreement with the Italian sports brand Lotto Sport and gained a 20-year exclusive concession in China for no less than HKD1 billion.