Adidas to slash Reebok store base in India

Adidas had announced irregularities at Reebok India on Monday

Germany's Adidas said it would cut the number of its Reebok stores in India by about one-third as it restructures operations in the country after discovering "irregularities" at Reebok India.

While the Adidas group as a whole surpassed expectations for first-quarter results, Reebok saw sales in the first three months down 7% on a currency neutral basis, Chief Executive Herbert Hainer said in a speech.

"Although Reebok has some challenges to overcome in Western Europe this year and as retailers currently focus on the major sporting events, we nevertheless continue to see good progress in most other regions," Hainer said.

Adidas, the world's second largest sporting goods company behind Nike, announced the irregularities at Reebok India on Monday, also releasing first quarter earnings ahead of schedule.

It surpassed expectations with sales of 3.8 billion euros and operating profit of 409 million and also increased its outlook for 2012.