New Delhi, June 10 -- Japan's Asics on Wednesday said it will spin off its high-end Onitsuka Tiger business to speed up decision-making at a brand that has been a key profit driver, driven by a tourism boom and a surge in demand for its retro-inspired sports shoes.

According to a Reuters report, under the plan, the nearly 80-year-old Onitsuka Tiger business will be transferred to OT Group, a wholly owned subsidiary, via a company split that will be effective on January 1. There are no plans to take the OT Group public, Asics CEO Yasuhito Hirota said at a press conference. Soaring sales at Onitsuka Tiger have led to four straight years of record profit for Asics.

"As organisations grow too large, decision-making often slows as approvals ...