This is being attributed to factors including larger inventories, increased expenses around marketing (especially fortheOlympics and European Football Championships), and investments in direct-to-consumer initiatives.
Isn't it the whole point of an umbrella organisation to speak on behalf of the operators, especially when the allegation is they are not prepared fortheOlympics?
"I would say especiallyfor speed sports you need to have more access to tracks and whoever organises theOlympics needs to offer that, " said Schmid in January.
"It's a huge challenge, especiallyfor President Putin because he uses this Olympics as a good opportunity for boosting the economy and developing this region of Sochi, " Dmitry Peskov told CNN.