Global sportswear giant Nike Inc. announced on Thursday that it plans to cut fewer than 1% of its corporate workforce, as part of an ongoing restructuring effort aimed at revitalizing the brand under new Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill.
The move, while relatively modest compared to prior workforce reductions, signals Hill’s push to streamline operations and sharpen Nike’s focus on sport-driven product innovation. Nike, which employs roughly 77,800 people worldwide as of May 31—including both retail and part-time workers—has not disclosed the exact number of roles to be eliminated. Importantly, the company confirmed that the layoffs will not affect its EMEA operations or its Converse subsidiary.
The restructuring comes just months after Hill outlined a vision to reorganize Nike into cross-functional teams aligned by sport categories, a shift designed to bring “sport and sport culture back at the center” of the company’s identity. Nike said the changes would allow it to better connect with athletes and consumers while reinforcing its reputation as an innovation leader.
Hill has made a concerted push to strengthen Nike’s running and sneaker lines, areas where the company has lost ground to competitors in recent years. Alongside new product investments, Nike is rekindling partnerships with major retailers and bolstering its physical retail presence to counter rising market pressure.
The announcement follows a series of tough cost-cutting measures at Nike, including a 2% workforce reduction in February last year that led to more than 1,600 job cuts. The company has also moved to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing for the U.S. market, a strategic shift aimed at softening the blow of import tariffs and supply chain risks.
Despite these challenges, Nike remains optimistic that the restructuring and refocused product strategy will pave the way for stronger growth in the face of intensifying competition across the global sportswear market.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nike is trimming less than 1% of its corporate workforce as part of CEO Elliott Hill’s strategy to streamline operations and refocus the brand on sport-driven products and stronger consumer connections.
