Adidas sets new soccer sales goal in World Cup year

German sportswear maker Adidas has forecast record sales for its soccer business in 2014, aiming to retain market leadership in the sport ahead of US rival Nike in a soccer World Cup year.

Adidas and Nike dominate a market for replica shirts, balls and boots estimated to be worth about €5 billion annually.

"It is a battle between us and Nike, not only in Brazil but the whole football world," Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer said at a news conference at the company's headquarters in southern Germany.

Setting out its targets a year before the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, Adidas said sales from its soccer division would break the €2 billion barrier for the first time in 2014.

Such sales surpassed €1.7 billion in 2012 and are expected to remain around that level this year, despite the lack of major championships.– ( Reuters)