Under Armour vs H&M (Hennes & Mauritz)

About

Under Armour is an American sportswear and athletic apparel company producing performance clothing, footwear, and accessories designed for athletic training and competitive sports — competing with Nike and Adidas for athletic apparel market share through its technical fabric innovations (HeatGear, ColdGear, MotionFit) and sports performance marketing. Founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank in Baltimore, Maryland and listed on NYSE (NYSE: UAA/UA), Under Armour generates approximately $5.5 billion in annual revenue with significant North American concentration and ongoing challenges expanding internationally and beyond its male athletic core.\n\nUnder Armour's product categories include apparel (athletic compression and training gear, team uniforms, outerwear), footwear (HOVR running shoes, Curry basketball shoes through its Steph Curry partnership), and accessories. The brand built its early success on compression shirts that athletes preferred for moisture management, then expanded into all athletic categories. The HOVR running franchise and Curry 12 basketball shoe represent the brand's most important footwear lines.\n\nIn 2025, Under Armour is executing a multi-year restructuring under CEO Kevin Plank (who returned to lead the company in 2023 after several years away) that prioritizes brand repositioning toward premium athletic performance and away from the discount and fashion channels that diluted brand equity in the 2017-2022 period. The company has reduced its SKU count, pulled back from promotional discounting, and refocused on performance credibility. Under Armour competes with Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon for athletic apparel market share. The 2025 strategy focuses on the US premium repositioning, growing international markets (particularly Asia), and deepening its connected fitness platform (MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal).