Nike reportedly to hike prices on some items — and resume selling on Amazon
A giant in the world of athletic apparel and footwear is teaming up with an online giant for the second time, according to reports, and is also raising prices on select goods.
Following a six-year hiatus, Nike will once again sell its products directly on Amazon, reported CNBC. In late 2019, Nike ended a pilot it launched in 2017 to sell merchandise directly to Amazon as it focused on selling more directly to consumers on its own website and stores.
Nike has continued to use Amazon Web Services to support its own e-commerce site and some mobile apps. It also made a limited selection of products available on Amazon through third-party sellers.
A Nike spokesperson confirmed to CNBC it will resume selling goods via Amazon in the U.S. as part of a broader digital commerce effort.
"This includes expanding to new digital accounts, including Amazon in the U.S., new physical partners like Printemps, elevating retail experiences across the marketplace, and launching Nike’s AI powered conversational search to improve our online services," the spokesperson said in the statement.
In addition, Amazon confirmed via an email to CNBC that it will soon start sourcing a "much wider range of Nike products" for U.S. shoppers.
As part of the relaunch, Amazon has told select third-party merchants that they can no longer sell certain Nike items on Amazon starting July 19, reported WWD.
Nike has a number of third-party partnerships. Most recently, it teamed up with Urban Outfitters as the specialty retailer launched an in-store experience that highlights curated brands.
[READ MORE: Urban Outfitters kicks off 'On Rotation' store experience with Nike]
Price Hikes
CNBC also reported that Nike is raising prices on adult apparel, footwear and equipment from $2 to $10, with the increases to be in effect by June 1. Nike is not raising prices on goods priced under $100 or on children's items. Also exempt from the price hikes are Nike's Air Force 1 shoe and the Jordan brand of apparel and accessories (but not the footwear).
Nike said in a statement that “we regularly evaluate our business and make pricing adjustments as part of our seasonal planning," the report said, noting the company did not say the decision to raise prices was related to tariffs.
