A few months ago the giant retailer admitted to be facing severe challenges as changes in retail channels and in consumer behavior were putting significant  pressure on its footwear business.

Now, anticipating the release of its yearly results by the end of May, the company is expecting same store sales of its footwear business to drop by 6% in the last quarter of the financial year (period ended in February 2017). At the same time, it is estimated that the sportswear and apparel business registers a 5% percent growth in same store sales. This weaker performance in sales should result in a decrease in the yearly profit for the company, estimated at the time in 15% to 25%.

In a recent filling the company is also warning that adjustments to its share award scheme as part of an incentive programme to management had also led to a significant increase in expenses.

Belle distributes several sportswear brands, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and Converse, and owns a total of 20 716 retail outlets in mainland China (as at end of February 2017).