Nike to cut about 1,400 jobs, mainly in technology roles

Nike announces about 1,400 job cuts

Nike said it is laying off about 1,400 people, with the reductions affecting global operations and concentrating mainly on technology roles in North America, Asia and Europe.

The sportswear company said the planned cuts account for a little less than 2% of its global workforce. Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy outlined the reductions in a memo to employees, according to Reuters reporting published by USA Today.

Nike described the action as part of an effort to streamline workflows while it works through a years-long sales slump. A company spokeswoman did not provide a cost-savings figure for the layoffs.

Technology and operations focus

The current job cuts have an operational and technology focus, but Nike did not explicitly describe the approximately 1,400 reductions as AI-driven. The company said the changes would help it integrate supply chains for materials, footwear and apparel, while concentrating technology operations in two main hubs: its Beaverton, Oregon headquarters and the Nike India Technology Center.

Automation is part of the wider context. Nike most recently cut 775 roles in January in an effort to speed up automation. That earlier reduction was specifically connected to automation, while the latest announcement was framed around streamlining workflows and global operations.

The distinction matters because the new layoffs are not directly attributed to artificial intelligence in the available information. Technology consolidation and automation-related work may be relevant to the broader restructuring, but Nike has identified workflow streamlining as the stated reason for this round.

Turnaround pressure continues

The cuts come as Nike seeks to revive performance under Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill, who took the role in 2024. The company has said it is refocusing the brand on core sports including running and soccer, while trying to bring new footwear to market more quickly.

Nike shares have lost more than half their value in the last three years, as competitors including On, Hoka and Anta gained shelf space. Its margins have also faced pressure while the company used steep discounts to reduce older inventory.

Nike forecast a 2% to 4% decline in sales for the current quarter. The company has said China, identified as its primary trouble spot, is expected to fall 20% in the quarter.

Nike had signalled in a March SEC filing that headcount adjustments could occur. Analysts cited in the Reuters report said the announcement was significant but not unexpected, pointing to the company's recovery challenges and prior expansion of technology staffing.

The approximately 1,400 planned reductions follow a series of workforce actions as Nike reshapes operations during its turnaround effort.

Sources

• Nike cuts 1,400 jobs as turnaround struggles persist