Demand for Chinese Sneakers Has Spiked Over the Past Year

NBA players and emerging sneaker brands are reshaping consumer tastes.

KICKS CREW, the leading global digital marketplace for authentic sneakers and apparel, has released data confirming what we have all expected - recent NBA player signings and disruptive designs by emerging international basketball brands like Li-Ning/Way Of Wade, ANTA, and Rigorer are making a major splash in the sneaker marketplace.

According to the company's internal data, KICKS CREW has seen a 560% increase in Li-Ning/Way Of Wade US market share over the past year - despite the fact that Way of Wade has existed for over a decade. Now, the brand holds the second-highest US market share of performance basketball sneakers, just behind Nike.

Year-over-year changes in the sneaker industry / KICKS CREW

Li-Ning/Way Of Wade’s rise to become a power player amongst legacy brands in the US basketball market has come with the help of the sky-high demand for the Li-Ning/Way Of Wade Way of Wade 10, which received a 10x spike in GMV on KICKS CREW year over year. Older models, such as the Way of Wade 8 and 7, have also surged in demand. 

Multiple factors can be attributed to the rise in popularity of Li-Ning/Way Of Wade, including NBA star endorsements, innovative designs, and community engagement at the grassroots level. However, on-court performance always makes or breaks a sneaker's standing in the basketball community.

Rigorer is another Chinese sportswear brand that has launched a new signature model line. Last summer, the company hit a home run by signing Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves and capitalizing on the release of his signature sneaker - the Rigorer AR1. 

Since its launch last summer, the Rigorer AR1 has become a top ten best-selling basketball sneaker on KICKS CREW, boosting Rigorer’s market share above that of PUMA. For the Rigorer AR1, its accessible price point of $100 and highly rated performance reviews have been the primary drivers behind its initial launch success.

Year-over-year growth in performance basketball sneakers / KICKS CREW

Alongside Li-Ning/Way Of Wade and Rigorer’s massive year, ANTA has climbed the ranks following the announcement of a notable signing. When ANTA signed Kyrie Irving in July, ANTA’s monthly market share of US basketball sneakers on KICKS CREW spiked, increasing by 600%. 

When Irving first donned the Shock Wave 5 on-court in the following months, ANTA’s US market share doubled almost instantaneously. Irving's impact on the demand for ANTA’s Shock Wave 5 is electrifying but understandable. 

A little over one year ago, three of the top five most-sold basketball sneakers were Nike Kyrie models. All the data points to the Mavericks guard's first signature sneaker, with ANTA being a smash hit.

ANTA US Monthly Market share / KICKS CREW

With 361° recently signing Nikola Jokic, the upcoming Way of Wade 11, and the highly anticipated launch of Irving's first signature sneaker with ANTA, the momentum is only beginning, and a new wave of brands is taking over the performance basketball sneaker market. 

With the second half of the NBA season underway, KICKS CREW is keeping its foot on the gas. KICKS CREW is hosting its first-ever Scavenger Hunt to give away prizes ranging from $500 store credit to 50% off discount codes. Online shoppers can take part in the excitement by visiting the KICKS CREW website or app. Stay locked into FanNationKicks.com for all your sneaker news.

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