Nike Accelerates Restructuring with 1,400 Additional Job Cuts

Nike has announced a new round of workforce reductions affecting approximately 1,400 positions, with the majority of cuts concentrated in the company's technology department. The move is a central component of the "Win Now" turnaround strategy, which aims to modernize air manufacturing, reorganize Converse Footwear operations, and integrate materials supply chain functions. According to COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy, these changes are designed to reshape the organization's technical capabilities and better align the company with the current pace of the sports industry. The layoffs span North America, Asia, and Europe, though they represent less than 2% of Nike's total global workforce. This announcement follows a series of cost-cutting measures under CEO Elliott Hill. In January, the company eliminated 775 roles, primarily at U.S. distribution centers, to accelerate the adoption of automation. These actions follow additional corporate staff reductions last summer intended to realign the business. The restructuring comes at a critical time for the retailer. In its most recent third-fiscal-quarter report, Nike warned of continued sales declines for the remainder of the year. A primary driver of this weakness is the Chinese market, where the company anticipates a 20% drop in sales during the current quarter.