HERZOGENAURACH: Adidas expects supply chain issues to hit sales growth in the first half of the year, particularly in North America, but hopes to see off a challenge from Nike in Europe and return to growth in the region. Kasper Rorsted, Chairman of Adidas, spoke during his company's annual press conference on Wednesday in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Shares in the German sportswear brand, up 22 per cent in the last year, were indicated down 2.5 per cent in early trade. Nike has been regaining ground, helped by a steady stream of new product launches and a strong showing by Nike-sponsored teams at the soccer World Cup, after several years when Adidas ate into its home market of North America. Adidas said currency-neutral sales growth would slow to between 5 and 8 per cent in 2019, from 8 per cent in 2018, with supply issues accounting for a 1-2 per cent fall as it struggles to meet strong demand for mid-priced apparel.