Quick Facts
- Nike announced 1,400 layoffs in Global Operations, with most cuts in technology division
- Cuts represent just under 2% of Nike’s 77,800 global workforce across North America, Asia, and Europe
- Layoffs part of CEO Elliott Hill’s ‘Win Now’ strategy to streamline operations amid 6th consecutive quarterly decline in China
Nike announced layoffs affecting approximately 1,400 employees in its Global Operations team, with the majority in its technology division. The cuts span North America, Asia, and Europe, representing just under 2% of the company’s global workforce of 77,800.
Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the cuts will streamline supply chains for materials, footwear and apparel while centralizing technology operations in Beaverton, Oregon, and the Nike India Technology Center.
“These changes are meant to make the company less complex and more responsive,” Alagirisamy said in a memo to employees. “That means simplifying parts of how we operate, using more advanced automation where it helps us work better, and building an even stronger end-to-end foundation for future growth.”
This marks the latest round of workforce reductions at Nike. The company cut 775 jobs in January 2026 and eliminated less than 1% of corporate staff in August 2025 as part of broader restructuring efforts.
The layoffs come as Nike faces significant financial headwinds. Second-quarter revenue reached $12.43 billion but net income fell 32% year over year. China remains a major pressure point, with sales down 17% in the region for the sixth consecutive quarterly decline.
Nike forecast a 2% to 4% drop in sales this quarter, with China expected to decline about 20%. Gross margin contracted by 300 basis points due to heavy discounting and higher tariff costs.
CEO Elliott Hill’s “Win Now” turnaround strategy aims to refocus Nike on core sports like running and soccer while accelerating new product launches. Hill became CEO in 2024 after 32 years at the company.
“We lost our obsession with sport. Moving forward, we will lead with sport and put the athlete at the center of every decision,” Hill said.
The company faces rising competition from brands like Hoka and On, which have gained market share in running categories. Deckers, Hoka’s parent company, reported Q1 revenue growth of 16.9%, while On Holding posted 32% Q2 sales growth.
The layoffs are part of Nike’s effort to dismantle traditional silos and merge technology functions into core supply chain operations. The company also plans to move some Converse manufacturing operations closer to factory partners.
Read more: Nike cuts 1,400 jobs across tech, operations
