The running shoe business continues to hold its own, particularly if the running shoes are used for golf or are sold in China.

Adidas Group, which owns Reebok and other businesses, reported that for 2012 its revenue rose 6% to 14.9 billion euros. Its sales in China rose 15% to 1.6 billion euros. Despite the economic problems in its home market of Europe, which is its largest area by sales, revenue there was up 3% to 4.1 billion euros. Even the unemployed need shoes.