Nike on Thursday said it will “lay off 1,400 workers, mostly technology workers in its operations division, as part of its ongoing turnaround effort.” This is the “fourth consecutive year of significant layoffs at Nike.” The layoffs will “impact workers at the company’s Air manufacturing facilities, as well as at Converse.” They come as second-year CEO Elliott Hill “continues working to reboot Nike’s sluggish sales, including by decreasing the company’s reliance on selling products in its stores and on its website.” The shift away from direct sales has meant the company “needed to overhaul its operations division, which includes manufacturing, distribution, technology, sustainability and planning.” Nike COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy said that the moves will “help Nike operate more quickly and with more precision.” He added, “Across the company, we have been taking deliberate steps to strengthen our foundation, sharpen how we compete, and build a model designed to deliver long-term profitable growth” (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/23).
Nike announces layoffs, mostly in operations division
