(Yicai Global) Dec. 21 -- China has  become the most rapidly expanding global market for US sportswear giant  Nike in the period from September to November, partly spurred by a  strong performance during the Chinese shopping festival of  Double-Eleven.

The sales of Nike China rose 26 percent  to USD1.5 billion in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, the  Oregon-based firm said in its earnings report that was released  yesterday. The company's global revenues grew about 10 percent to USD9.4  billion. 

Nike logged double-digit growth in sales  for 18 consecutive months in China as they rose 31 percent when  excluding changes caused by fluctuations of foreign exchange rates.  Earnings before interest and taxes increased 48 percent to USD561  million.

The retail bonanza that took place on  Nov. 11 brought Nike CNY100 million (USD14.5 million) in revenues  already in the first minute after the discount-frenzy online shopping  started at midnight. Sales had reached CNY1 billion (USD145 million)  before noon and the tally for the whole day rose 40 percent from that of  last year.

Nike strengthened its retail channels, which partly explains the good performance, it said. Nike  Shanghai 001, the company's first global Nike House of Innovation  concept store opened in October this year, offering integrated online  and offline experiences to customers. The firm has also launched its own  WeChat application to present NikePlus members with retail and  information services. 

This year's trade frictions between China  and the US have not shown in business performance, Nike executives  said. About 25 percent of Nike's merchandise comes from China, according  to US-based investment firm Wedbush Securities. 

Nike's [NYSE:NKE] share price fell 2.09 percent to close at USD67.53 yesterday.

Editor: Emmi Laine