Three athletic footwear firms have reported sales growth in the United States in the first quarter of 2003. While Puma and K-Swiss reported increased earnings on some strong sales, Reebok showed some more impressive gains in both sales and earnings.

Puma, based in Herzogenaurach, Germany, noted that profits during the period reached $79.1 million, more than doubling the $36.3 million from the same period last year. Overall sales for the company grew 47.4% to $376.3 million, surpassing the $255.3 million for the same period last year. Footwear sales were said to have grown 54.6% to $273.3 million for the period. Sales in the U.S. for all of the company’s products increased 44% from the sale period last year to$63.6 million.

As for K-Swiss, first quarter U.S. sales surpassed projections. The Westlake-California firm said earnings were up 41.1% to $13.64 million, compared with sales of $9.67 million for the same period last year. Worldwide revenues for K-Swiss showed a gain of 43.7%, topping out at $115.9 million for the quarter, surpassing the $80.7 million for the same quarter last year.  The company has projected sales for the second quarter to reach as much as $117 million.

Reebok reported that its net income grew 9% for the first quarter to $41 million, compared to $37 million last year.  Reebok’s net sales for the period topped $798 million, up 8.5% over the $736 million reported for the same period last year. Reebok’s brand footwear showed a gain of 4%, reaching $257 million for the 2003 period.

Domestic apparel sales for the company were said to be up 24%, reaching $89 million, while international sales for Reebok’s branded products rose 10% to $321 million.  Reebok’s Rockport division also noted a sales increase, jumping slightly from $87 million in the first quarter last year to $90 million for the first quarter of this year.