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Under Armour Business Analysis

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Business Analysis of the Under Armour Brand
Business Analysis
FOR
Dr. Kimberly Carter
Business 508: Contemporary Business
October 25, 2015
Strayer University

. Abstract This paper aims to analyze three factors impacting the overall performance of Under Armour. Kevin Plank, a former University of Maryland football player, started the company in 1996 with an innovative idea to provide premium sports apparel to Under Armour’s customers. Factors such as ethical standards and integrity, innovation, and financial performance will be analyzed along with the potential impacts these factors have on the success of the Under Armour brand. The most critical factors determining the company’s success are determined and three business actions, including ways to cut costs, expand internationally, and increase sales by expanding its product base, will be evaluated in reference to the factors deemed necessary for Under Armour’s success.
Business Analysis of the Under Armour Brand

Introduction

Kevin Plank, founder and CEO, formed Under Armour in 1996 with the innovative idea of providing high-performance sports apparel to athletes. Plank used a sophisticated textile design to repel sweat and keep athletes cool while performing in competitions and working out. Under Armour has designed performance enhancing apparel to include athletic tops, pants, shoes, shorts, bras, and sweaters. Thompson stated that “Plank believed that Under Armour’s potential for long term growth was achievable due to the company’s ability to build an incredibly powerful brand in a relatively short time, significant opportunities to expand, and the fact that company was only in the early stages of establishing its brand and penetrating markets outside North America (as sited in Bowen, Daigle, Dion, & Valentine, 2014, p.3). The company has had a tremendous amount of success as

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