Reebok 2013 Annual Report Download - page 46

7
adidas Group
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2013 Annual Report
To Our Shareholders
42
2013
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01.7
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Supervisory Board Report
Supervisory Board Report
Dear Shareholders,
We look back on 2013 as a challenging but also successful year. Thanks to strong brands and partnerships in
the world of sports, as well as first-class innovations, the adidas Group was again able to achieve good overall
business results. Growth in the emerging markets as well as the strong gross margin improvement were key
highlights. However, the Group also faced significant headwinds in 2013. The significant negative currency
translation effects, a weak development in Western Europe, generally lower demand in the golf market as well
as distribution issues in Russia/CIS were particular challenges. Nevertheless, these issues have been proactively
and resolutely managed, and the Group is well positioned to again achieve sales growth at all brands, in all
regions and in all markets as well as to improve profitability in 2014.
Supervision and advice in dialogue with the Executive Board
In the year under review, we again performed all our tasks laid down by law, the Articles of Association and the
Rules of Procedure carefully and conscientiously. We regularly advised the Executive Board on the management
of the company and diligently and continuously supervised its management activities, assuring ourselves of the
legality, expediency and regularity thereof.
The Executive Board involved us directly in all of the Group’s fundamental decisions. After in-depth consultation
and examination of the detailed information submitted to us by the Executive Board, we approved individual
transactions where required by law.
The Executive Board informed us extensively and in a timely manner through written and oral reports at our
Supervisory Board meetings. This information covered all relevant aspects of the Group’s business strategy and
business planning, including finance, investment and personnel planning, the course of business and the Group’s
financial position and profitability. We were also kept up to date on matters relating to the risk situation, risk
management and compliance as well as all major decisions and business transactions.
The Executive Board explained immediately and in a detailed manner any deviations in business performance
from the established plans, and we discussed these matters in depth within the Supervisory Board.
Igor Landau
Chairman of the Supervisory Board