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...The co-op also said Merrell remains “rooted in the belief that stepping outside, even briefly, can be a catalyst for mental reset, movement, and new perspective.” Apparel: Patagonia is known for its environmental activism and high-quality gear, ranks in the 95-100th percentile of overall sustainability efforts for REI’s Product Impact Standards, and also stands out for innovation and authentic storytelling. REI said, “Their assortment combines technical performance, durability, and responsible design while inspiring outdoor participation across key categories....

...The co-op also said Merrell remains “rooted in the belief that stepping outside, even briefly, can be a catalyst for mental reset, movement, and new perspective.” Apparel: Patagonia is known for its environmental activism and high-quality gear, ranks in the 95-100th percentile of overall sustainability efforts for REI’s Product Impact Standards, and also stands out for innovation and authentic storytelling. REI said, “Their assortment combines technical performance, durability, and responsible design while inspiring outdoor participation across key categories....

...There isn't anything else I can do.' Her struggle comes nearly a decade after Nike publicly committed to ensuring factory employees earn a living wage, enough to cover necessities such as food, housing, healthcare and transportation while leaving some money for personal spending. 'Every contract factory worker in our supply chain has the right to a standard of living that's adequate to support them and their families,' Nike declared in a 2018 corporate responsibility report. In Vietnam, where Nike manufactures nearly half of its sneakers, some factory job advertisements offered starting salaries as low as $236 a month....

Once hailed as the epitome of cool, a sportswear brand reportedly pays its Asian factory workers so little that some are forced to moonlight as trash collectors, while the oh-so-woke company portrays itself as 'ethical.' Nike factory workers in Asia are picking through garbage, selling snacks and taking second jobs to survive, despite the sportswear giant's years-long promise to ensure employees earn a living wage. Some workers making sneakers for the multibillion-dollar company earn less than $205 a month, while others work 48-hour weeks and spend their days off collecting discarded bottles and scrap materials for extra cash. The grim reality emerged in an investigation by The Oregonian, which interviewed 100 workers in Indonesia and another two dozen in Vietnam, where Nike relies heavily on contracted factories to produce its footwear....

The rollout marks CMA CGM’s efforts in accelerating the decarbonisation of its transport and logistics in South-east Asia while supporting Nike’s push to reduce emissions across its global supply chai...

FRANCE’S CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company by fleet capacity, has launched its first fully electric barge globally in Vietnam on Thursday (Oct 29), betting that the South-east Asian manufacturing hub’s extensive waterways and growing cargo flows can support a new model for lower-carbon inland freight transport. The project is underpinned by an eight-year agreement with US sportswear giant Nike as an anchor customer to fill 90 per cent of the vessel’s capacity, Bo Wegener, chief executive officer of CMA CGM Asia Pacific, told The Business Times in a written response. “The initial investment in the electric barge is approximately twice that of a comparable diesel-powered vessel,” he said, noting that the business case of this model then depends on charging infrastructure, renewable energy supply and costs, long-term customer commitments and efficient operations....

The restructuring effort includes changes to distribution, renewed emphasis on product development and reductions in parts of its workforce. Nike has approximately 73,000 employees worldwide, making even relatively modest percentage reductions significant in terms of jobs. But cost-cutting alone will not solve the company’s underlying difficulties....

The restructuring effort includes changes to distribution, renewed emphasis on product development and reductions in parts of its workforce. Nike has approximately 73,000 employees worldwide, making even relatively modest percentage reductions significant in terms of jobs....

Nike’s funding of this report, which highlights the important role sports and movement play in supporting youth in crisis, is a continuation of their commitment to support the mental health of athletes of all ages. In 2021, Nike and Crisis Text Line partnered to bring mental health to the forefront of conversations with athletes through a podcast called, “No Off-Season.”...

Nike’s funding of this report, which highlights the important role sports and movement play in supporting youth in crisis, is a continuation of their commitment to support the mental health of athletes of all ages. In 2021, Nike and Crisis Text Line partnered to bring mental health to the forefront of conversations with athletes through a podcast called, “No Off-Season.” In addition, Nike partners with the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport (CHJS) to train staff and coaches in trauma-informed inclusive coaching and to bring healing-centered sport to organizations around the world. Nike’s Coaching Hub also provides several coach training tools that anyone can access for free....

“Arne’s unique skillset combines commercial expertise, consumer insights and brand leadership,” Puma CEO Arthur Hoeld said, adding that Arens will play a role in the company’s effort to become a top-three global sports brand. Separately, Puma has elected Dennis Tao chairman of its supervisory board following his court appointment as a director effective Oct. 21. Jeanne Huang also joined the board.and previously served on Amer Sports’ board from 2019 through 2026....

...She previously served as senior vice president of the Anta brand and spent more than two decades at Nike. Tao succeeds Héloïse Temple-Boyer, whose tenure concluded following the completion of Artémis’ sale of its Puma stake to ANTA earlier this month. Jean-Marc Duplaix also stepped down as deputy chairman and chair of the audit committee.

The collaboration reflects the principles of Inclusive Sportswear, which places comfort, practicality, choice and personal expression at the centre of sportswear design. Rather than asking girls to adapt to a uniform that may not suit them, the campaign asks what the uniform should do for the people wearing it. From Sportswear Design to a Wider Conversation The campaign connects ASICS’ interest in physical activity and mental wellbeing with a practical issue in everyday school life....

...ASICS The Undropped Kit Starts by Listening to Girls ASICS developed the kit concept with Inclusive Sportswear, mental health charity Mind and input from more than 2,000 teenage girls across the UK through a co-creation and testing process. Focus groups, surveys and a school trial helped identify what students wanted from their PE clothing....

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and sportswear brand Puma have donated a combined J$10 million to help rebuild two Jamaican high schools severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa. The contribution, announced in December 2025, comprises J$5 million each for St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in Santa Cruz and William Knibb Memorial High School in Trelawny, where Bolt studied....

William Knibb Memorial High School reported damage to seven buildings on its campus, six of which were severely affected, including the loss of roofing. The damage disrupted school facilities and added to the cost of restoring normal operations. The donation will support recovery work at both institutions as they repair buildings and restore facilities for teaching, examinations and extracurricular activities. Bolt Foundation has also supported students The contribution adds to Bolt’s efforts to support education and youth development in Jamaica through the Usain Bolt Foundation....

The sportswear company has also announced layoffs as part of its Pace strategy, which involves changes to its supply chain and a reorganisation of geographic segments. Nike expects the strategy to generate approximately USD 2.5 billion in savings through fiscal 2031....

“For 22 years, Nike and OHSU Doernbecher have celebrated a powerful belief: All kids deserve the opportunity to reach their greatest potential in sport and in life. Nike is creating a future of youth sport where every kid feels welcome, Doernbecher is providing lifesaving care to help patients thrive, and we proudly come together via the Doernbecher Freestyle program to put kids at the heart of one of Nike’s most beloved collaborations,” Vanessa Garcia-Brito, vice president and chief impact officer of Nike, Inc., said in a press release....

...The full Nike Doernbecher Freestyle 22 collection was auctioned Friday in Portland and will see a wider release in the U.S. this winter from Nike’s Snkrs app and select retailers. As always, 100 percent of profits from the collection will benefit the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Anta Sports Products Ltd has completed its acquisition of a 29.06 percent stake in Puma SE, becoming the German sportswear company's largest shareholder as the Chinese sportswear group accelerates its global expansion. The Hong Kong-listed company said on Wednesday that it had completed the 1.51 billion euro ($1.69 billion) all-cash purchase of the stake from Artemis SAS, the investment company of the Pinault family, after receiving all the required regulatory approvals and satisfying customary closing conditions.

Anta Sports Products Ltd has completed its acquisition of a 29.06 percent stake in Puma SE, becoming the German sportswear company's largest shareholder as the Chinese sportswear group accelerates its global expansion. The Hong Kong-listed company said on Wednesday that it had completed the 1.51 billion euro ($1.69 billion) all-cash purchase of the stake from Artemis SAS, the investment company of the Pinault family, after receiving all the required regulatory approvals and satisfying customary closing conditions.

...Revenue fell 4% to just over $11.2 billion, which was more than $107 million below analysts' consensus expectations. Converse and Nike Brand Digital sales fell 28% and 13%, respectively. CEO Elliott Hill announced there would be layoffs in 2027 as Nike undergoes a restructuring, but the company hasn't released specifics of the plan yet.

China’s biggest sportswear maker, Anta Sports, has strengthened its challenge to global rivals such as Nike and Adidas by becoming the largest shareholder in Puma, the German brand recognised worldwide for its sports and casual footwear. The Hong Kong-listed company completed the… This story appeared on scmp.com, 2026-10-08 06:10:59.

UK-based Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, has acquired an 8.78 percent stake in Under Armour, according to a recent Schedule 13G regulatory filing with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). A full takeover attempt is highly unlikely, as founder Kevin Plank still controls approximately 65 percent of Under Armour’s total voting interest....

...A full takeover attempt is highly unlikely, as founder Kevin Plank still controls approximately 65 percent of Under Armour’s total voting interest. However, the stake ensures Frasers holds a significant seat at the table with the brand. The UK retail conglomerate acquired 16.6 million Class A shares of the apparel brand, according to the October 1 filing....

...UA shares closed Friday at $4.71, up 7 cents on the day. In the past, however, Frasers has also used its minority shareholdings in companies as leverage to push for strategic change or to encourage companies to sell ‌their products or adopt its services. This past March, the Group acquired a nearly 6 percent stake in Puma, one month after China’s largest sportswear brand, Anta Sports, agreed to buy a 29 percent stake in the German sports brand....

Sportswear giant Nike has announced a major workforce reduction as part of its new Pace restructuring programme, which aims to achieve USD 2.5 billion in cumulative savings through fiscal 2031. The overhaul comes as the company navigates declining revenues and weaker demand across key international markets....

...Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill outlined the structural changes during an earnings call, confirming that the initiative will alter the shape and size of the global workforce. As per a report by People Matters, the company plans to eliminate duplicated roles while adding capabilities in priority growth areas. BMW Layoffs: Why the Automaker Is Cutting 20% of Senior Management Roles Using AI....

The restructuring builds upon previous cost-cutting measures introduced earlier in the year, targeting total savings primarily through fiscal 2029 and fiscal 2030, with realization continuing into fiscal 2031. Pre-tax restructuring charges linked to the Pace initiative are projected to reach approximately 1 billion USD, driven largely by employee severance and related transition costs. Chief Financial Officer Dave Denton noted that Nike has already begun executing the plan, intending to reinvest a portion of the savings directly back into core business segments to accelerate its ongoing turnaround strategy....

The program, building on previous rounds of layoffs, including one announced earlier this year, is expected to deliver about $2.5 billion in savings through fiscal 2031, with the majority set to be realized in fiscal years 2029 and 2030. Nike expects its revenue to decline in the high single digit in fiscal 2027....

...The company, which also missed analysts’ expectations for first-quarter revenue, unveiled changes to its operating model, including job cuts and a move to three geographic regions – Americas, Asia Pacific and greater China, and EMEA – instead of four. It plans to open a new campus in India “with strong capabilities and access to talent.” Nike said the company does not yet know the number of roles that will be cut under the restructuring. It will begin notifying employees in 2027.

While the exact number of job cuts remains undetermined, Nike confirmed that employee notifications will begin in 2027. This restructuring initiative is projected to yield approximately USD 2.5 billion in cost savings through fiscal 2031, with the majority realised across fiscal years 2029 and 2030....

Sportswear giant Nike has announced a sweeping overhaul of its global business divisions and further workforce reductions after issuing a surprisingly steep full-year revenue forecast that heightened investor concerns over its ongoing turnaround. The tepid guidance underscores persistent headwinds under Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill, particularly in Greater China, where quarterly sales plunged 26 per cent on a constant-currency basis....

Nike shares dropped Friday, falling for a second straight day after the company reported declining revenue and plans to lay off staff in 2027. The sportswear giant said Thursday that its fiscal first-quarter revenues were down 4% to $11.2 billion, citing declines in Greater China, which… This story appeared on cnbc.com, 2026-10-02 23:30:09.038000.

...The planned reductions add to a restructuring process that has already resulted in two rounds of layoffs this year. Nike cut 775 jobs across its US distribution centers in January and eliminated another 1,400 positions, primarily in its technology division, in April. The repeated workforce reductions indicate that Nike is not treating the current weakness as a temporary sales problem....

“This work will result in fewer roles across Nike, and I want to acknowledge that news like this creates uncertainty. I don’t take that lightly,” Hill said in a separate announcement. “Decisions about...

At the center of that effort is "Pace," Nike's new operating model aimed at generating $2.5 billion in cost savings by 2031. The restructuring will include additional layoffs beginning in calendar 2027, although Nike has not disclosed how many positions will ultimately be eliminated. Through Pace, Nike plans to modernize its global supply chain, reorganize operations around three geographic regions, establish a new campus in India and further streamline its corporate structure....

...The latest cuts would follow two rounds of layoffs already carried out this year. Nike eliminated 775 positions across its U.S. distribution centers in January. In April, the company cut another 1,400 jobs, primarily in its technology organization....

...Nike eliminated 775 positions across its U.S. distribution centers in January. In April, the company cut another 1,400 jobs, primarily in its technology organization. The upcoming reductions underscore how aggressively management is trying to lower expenses as sales remain under pressure.

Hot on the heels of Kylian Mbappé’s departure from Nike’s ambassador program, the sports giant shared a 5% year-on-year revenue decline for Q1 2027. Upcoming layoffs and a geographical reorganization plan were also announced on Thursday, as shares dropped 6% leaving Nike stock at its lowest since 2013. In recent years, Nike has lost major athletes Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Ousmane Dembélé to competitor brands, reflecting its waning dominance in the performance sportswear market....

“The job cuts and associated cost-cutting will buy time and may support margins and the bottom line - but these things are not the solution to the brand problems that are the cause of decline,” he said. Shares were down about 10 per cent in premarket trading on Friday....

...Two years on, Nike’s market value and earnings have more than halved, while many of the problems Hill was hired to fix - from weakness in China to over-reliance on discounted lifestyle products - continue to weigh on the business. The unfinished turnaround was on display again on Thursday when Nike announced another round of job cuts and forecast steeper-than-expected declines in sales and profit for the fiscal year ending in May 2028. Latest updates on company news here “Things are going to get worse before they get better,” RBC Capital Markets analyst Piral Dadhania said....

Twilio will replace Warner Bros Discovery in the S&P 500, Vylor replaces Corteva in the S&P 500 and Moderna replaces Warner Bros Discovery in the Nasdaq 100. Nike is cutting jobs and embarking on a sweeping overhaul of its business as results deteriorate, a restructuring plan that it said will save $2.5 billion over the next five years. The FHFA is said to be planning to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac within weeks to require lenders to pull credit data from two major credit reporting bureaus instead of three....

Nike is launching a sweeping cost-cutting drive that includes job cuts and a consolidation of its regional structure, as sales slump in core markets including the United States and China. With China revenue down more than 20% and the company now forecasting a decline in full-year sales, its stock has fallen to its lowest level since 2013....

...Nike Chief Executive Elliott Hill said of the Jordan line that the company had "supplied too many retro products," adding that it would "return to a strategy of controlling supply to increase scarcity. " In response to the deteriorating results, Nike is pursuing a cost-cutting program called Pace that aims to save $2.5 billion over the next five years. The company also plans to reduce its workforce, currently about 73,000 employees, though it has not disclosed the scale of the cuts or which regions will be affected. It will also consolidate its regional business units from four to three....

Nike plans to cut an undetermined number of jobs and establish a new campus in India as it seeks to accelerate a turnaround following another downcast quarter. The sports giant unveiled the plan as it reported a modest decline in quarterly profits on lower sales....

...Nike "must make changes to become a more agile, efficient and athlete-focused company," Hill said in a message to employees. These shifts "will result in fewer roles across Nike, and I want to acknowledge that news like this creates uncertainty," said Hill, who promised "transparency" as the plans become clearer.

Nike shares slid 8.5% after hours after the company warned that revenue will fall by a high-single-digit percentage in fiscal 2027. The sportswear giant also outlined job cuts and a restructuring plan aimed at $2.5 billion in savings. The market response was immediate....

...Greater China, which has recorded nine consecutive quarters of declining sales, will be merged with the broader Asia Pacific region, while Latin America, previously grouped with Asia Pacific, will be combined with North America. In a memo to employees, Hill said, “This work will result in fewer roles across Nike.” The company said decisions on affected positions will begin in 2027, but it has not yet specified how many jobs will be eliminated or where....

“Carbios has demonstrated that complex PET waste can be recycled into high-quality polyester fibers under existing industrial conditions and repurposed into high-quality products,” said Howard Williams, director global innovation in apparel and accessories at Puma. It starts with textile waste and complex plastic waste, which Carbios uses to produce monomers with quality and performance standards that can compete with petrochemical-derived materials....

The resulting r-PET was converted into yarn on Antex’s industrial production lines in Spain, then knitted into Interlock fabric on Henitex’s industrial equipment in France, dyed in an industrial bath by Teintures et Apprêts Danjoux in France, and finally turned into garments by Chamatex Group in France. The resulting fibers demonstrated full compatibility with conventional textile manufacturing processes, while delivering performance characteristics, including mechanical strength, dyeability, and color fastness, equivalent to those of virgin polyester. Manufactured entirely in Europe, this garment demonstrates the scalability of circular textile manufacturing without compromising on quality. Guillaume Meyzenq, CEO of sportswear manufacturer Salomon, said the production also opens up opportunities for their brand, since it demonstrated the industrial potential of repurposing textile waste.

A consortium that includes Patagonia and Puma has made high-quality recycled polyester T-shirts from complex textile and plastic waste, an effort which it says can be industrially scaled. This was announced in a statement by French biochem company Carbios, whose biorecycling technology was used to transform waste into high-performance textiles....

German sportswear company Adidas has started cutting jobs at its technology hub in Gurugram. The affected employees were informed about the changes during a town hall held, according to reports....

...A report by Wocult estimated that 350 or more employees could be affected out of a workforce of around 700, including software engineers, data scientists and data engineers. However, Adidas stated that the layoffs are expected to affect less than 20% of its technology workforce in India. According to the company, the decision is part of its efforts to align its operating model with changing business requirements....

Over the weekend, Nike’s subsidiary Converse also issued an apology for an advertisement that some critics said evoked Ku Klux Klan imagery. The ad had depicted the bottom half of a person wearing a white garment, which some critics likened to a Ku Klux Klan robe, while holding a pair of black Converse shoes, which critics said appeared to dangle in the air like a lynching victim....

Over the weekend, Nike’s subsidiary Converse also issued an apology for an advertisement that some critics said evoked Ku Klux Klan imagery. The ad had depicted the bottom half of a person wearing a white garment, which some critics likened to a Ku Klux Klan robe, while holding a pair of black Converse shoes, which critics said appeared to dangle in the air like a lynching victim. There is also a pending lawsuit which alleges the sexual assault of a teenage athlete at the Nike Elite Program, for top high-school track and field athletes in Beaverton, Oregon, over the last Fourth of July weekend. Then there’s the Nike shares story, where everything is going from bad to worse, and money can’t change a thing....

“Black pain is not a marketing prop,” Carter said. “Lynching is not a creative concept....

“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,” Converse, who is owned by Nike Inc., said in a statement to ABC News Monday. “We removed it from o...

In response to the mounting public pressure and the pointed criticism, Converse promptly removed the contentious advertisement from all its social media platforms and other distribution channels. The ...

...The controversial advertisement, swiftly removed from Converse’s digital channels, depicted Karina holding a pair of black high-top shoes under a distinct star-shaped spotlight while adorned in a long white skirt. Critics argued that the ensemble and composition created a disturbing visual parallel, suggesting a resemblance to a hooded Klansman and the dangling feet of a lynching victim, prompting the brand to issue an apology. Controversial imagery draws sharp condemnation

...Commissioning of an independent investigation into the incident. Disclosure of the internal processes that led to the campaign’s launch. Establishment of robust safeguards to ensure that imagery invoking the Ku Klux Klan or the lynching of Black people is never approved again. These demands highlight a broader expectation for corporate responsibility, urging companies to not only rectify mistakes but also to implement systemic changes that reflect a deeper understanding of social and historical sensitivities....

...The Instagram ad photo showed K-pop singer Karina wearing a skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers. Critics lashed out online, saying that a white triangular image created by lighting on the skirt resembled a KKK hood and that the way she held the sneakers made them look like the dangling feet of a lynching victim. Converse, owned by Nike, issued a statement apologizing and saying it removed the ad....

...“We’re sorry,” said the statement, first released on Friday. “We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared....

Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney based in Texas, posted on Instagram that Converse’s apology “doesn’t undo what got past legal, marketing and leadership at every step.” “We keep having this conversation because corporations keep failing the same test,” he wrote....

...The Instagram ad photo showed K-pop singer Karina wearing a skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers. Critics lashed out online, saying that a white triangular image created by lighting on the skirt resembled a KKK hood and that the way she held the sneakers made them look like the dangling feet of a lynching victim. Converse, owned by Nike, issued a statement apologizing and saying it removed the ad. "We're sorry," said the statement, first released on Friday....

..."We're sorry," said the statement, first released on Friday. "We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared....

...We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened and we will do better."

...The Instagram ad photo showed K-pop singer Karina wearing a skirt and holding a pair of Chuck 70 X sneakers. Critics lashed out online, saying that a white triangular image created by lighting on the skirt resembled a KKK hood and that the way she held the sneakers made them look like the dangling feet of a lynching victim. Converse, owned by Nike, issued a statement apologizing and saying it removed the ad....

...“We’re sorry,” said the statement, first released on Friday. “We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared....

...We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened and we will do better.”

Converse has withdrawn an advertisement after facing widespread criticism on social media over imagery that users said evoked Ku Klux Klan symbolism and a lynching. The image, published on the footwear company’s Instagram page, drew criticism over its lighting, with some viewers saying it appeared to resemble the white pointed hood associated with the Ku Klux Klan....

...In a statement issued on Friday, Converse apologised for the advert and confirmed that the image had been removed from its social media accounts. The company said it was also taking steps to have the image removed from other platforms. Converse said it understood why the photograph had caused offence and acknowledged that it should not have been published. The image was created as part of a promotional campaign for the Chuck 70 X trainer, which was launched internationally on August 27.

Arnault currently serves as deputy CEO of Moët Hennessy, LVMH’s wines and spirits division, a role he has held since February 2025. He also sits on LVMH’s board of directors....

...Baeumer will remain a consultant to Puma and continue representing the company on Borussia Dortmund’s supervisory board. Nike Nike has appointed Alexandre Arnault to its board of directors, adding an LVMH executive whose experience spans Tiffany & Co., Rimowa and digital investment.

...Also Read | Oracle layoffs: Fresh job cuts begin as employees wake up to 6am role elimination emails “These changes are intended to simplify parts of our organization, strengthen critical capabilities, and position adidas for long-term success in a rapidly evolving business and technology environment,” the company said in its statement. How many Adidas India tech employees were affected? Adidas said the changes affected less than 20% of its India Technology organisation, disputing reports that around half of the workforce at its Gurugram Tech Hub had been laid off.

The company described the move as part of an effort to align its operating model with changing business requirements. “As part of our ongoing efforts to align our operating model with the evolving needs of the business, we have made the difficult decision to reduce a number of roles within our Technology organization in India,” Adidas said. The company added that India remains a strategically important market and that its Technology Hub continues to support its growth, innovation and digital transformation plans....

...“We continue to invest in strategic capabilities and have several open roles across the organisation,” the company said. Also Read | Flipkart to create 2.5 lakh festive season jobs across India ahead of Big Billion Days It added that affected employees were encouraged to explore those positions as the company builds the capabilities it considers necessary for its future. Adidas also said it was committed to supporting affected employees with “care, respect, and appropriate transition assistance”. The company’s statement therefore confirms job reductions within its India Technology organisation while disputing the reported scale of the cuts....

The workforce reduction was announced during a town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 15. The reported layoffs could affect nearly half of the tech hub’s workforce of around 700 employees. Adidas confirmed the workforce reduction but did not disclose the exact number of employees affected. The German sportswear company described the decision as a difficult one, saying it was aimed at streamlining its operations and responding to the changing needs of its business and technology organisation....

...The German sportswear company described the decision as a difficult one, saying it was aimed at streamlining its operations and responding to the changing needs of its business and technology organisation. Adidas Layoffs In Gurgaon People familiar with the development told Wocult that the affected employees include software engineers, data scientists and data engineers. According to the report, employees affected by the layoffs have been divided into two groups....

“The impact of these changes is less than 20 per cent of our India Technology organisation. We continue to invest in strategic capabilities and have several open roles across the organisation....

...“We are deeply grateful to our colleagues for their many contributions to adidas. We are committed to supporting affected employees with care, respect, and appropriate transition assistance during this time,” it added. Published on September 17, 2026

...It employs over 900 people at the tech hub. Adidas’ Statement “As part of our ongoing efforts to align our operating model with the evolving needs of the business, we have made the difficult decision to reduce a number of roles within our technology organisation in India. These changes are intended to simplify parts of our organisation, strengthen critical capabilities and position Adidas for long-term success in a rapidly-evolving business and technology environment,” the sportswear company said in a statement.

Alexandre Arnault, deputy CEO of LVMH’s Moët Hennessy, joins Nike’s board. Nike Chair Mark Parker praised Arnault’s brand-building record, while Bill Ackman also welcomed the appointment....

...Nike Chair Mark Parker praised Arnault’s brand-building record, while Bill Ackman also welcomed the appointment. Nike faces ongoing challenges, with fiscal 2026 revenue down 2% to $46.4 billion and shares nearly 80% below their 2021 peak. Nike Inc. (NKE) has added LVMH executive Alexandre Arnault to its board as the sportswear giant works to revive growth and strengthen its brand. The appointment brings luxury-sector experience to Nike’s leadership team as CEO Elliott Hill pushes a turnaround focused on product innovation and consumer engagement....

..."The impact of these ​changes is ‌less than 20% of our India Technology organization," ‌the company ​said in a statement. The German ⁠sportswear maker did not ‌disclose how many jobs were affected. Its website showed nearly 650 people ‌worked at its Gurgaon ​and Chennai hubs....

Adidas said on ​Wednesday it has ⁠reduced a number of roles ‌in its technology team ‌in India as ‌part ⁠of efforts ⁠to simplify operations. "The impact of these ​changes is ‌less than 20% of our India Technology organization," ‌the company ​said in a statement....

Adidas in an official statement said, “As part of our ongoing efforts to align our operating model with the evolving needs of the business, we have made the difficult decision to reduce a number of roles within our Technology organisation in India. These changes are intended to simplify parts of our organization, strengthen critical capabilities, and position adidas for long-term success in a rapidly evolving business and technology environment.”...

...The India Tech Hub office was inaugurated in 2021 and aimed at attracting and developing top tech and engineering talent to work on Adidas products. Now, 300 to 350 employees of the hub will face the axe.

...“We are deeply grateful to our colleagues for their many contributions to adidas. We are committed to supporting affected employees with care, respect, and appropriate transition assistance during this time.” “India remains a strategically important market for adidas, and our Technology Hub continues to play a critical role in enabling the company's growth, innovation, and digital transformation ambitions,” it added....

The decision, which impacts software engineers, data scientists, and data engineers, comes as part of the company’s broader effort to realign its operating model with evolving business needs. In a statement, Adidas acknowledged the move as a “difficult decision,” emphasizing that it was necessary to adapt to changing market dynamics. The company expressed gratitude to the employees who are leaving and assured that transition assistance will be provided to support them during this period....

...The company expressed gratitude to the employees who are leaving and assured that transition assistance will be provided to support them during this period. While Adidas has not disclosed the exact number of employees impacted, industry sources suggest that around 50% of the hub’s staff have been let go. The India Tech Hub, established to strengthen Adidas’ digital and technological capabilities, has played a crucial role in driving innovation and supporting global operations....

Community programming in the Bay Area that will empower girls through sport – extending Athleta's mission to fuel confidence, connection, and evolution through movement while deepening the brand's investment in its hometown. Exclusive co-branded merchandise, available through the Valkyries team store beginning in 2027, giving fans new ways to celebrate their connection to the team through performance lifestyle apparel....

...As the Golden State Valkyries prepare for their playoff run, Athleta and the Valkyries are coming together to celebrate the fans driving the movement forward. It is also a reflection of Gap Inc.'s continued investment in the Bay Area, supporting moments that bring communities together and help strengthen the region's cultural and civic fabric.

Nike shareholders have rejected a resolution calling for greater transparency on the company’s climate targets, including detailed disclosures on how it intends to achieve emissions reductions. The vote, announced Tuesday, reignited debate over whether the sportswear giant is maintaining its environmental leadership while grappling with financial challenges and regulatory pressure....

...In its fiscal 2024 update, the company reported an 11% reduction in supply chain emissions from a 2015 baseline. However, critics argue that Nike has not provided enough clarity on its progress. Shareholder Push And Company Response Norway’s wealth fund, Nike’s 11th-largest shareholder, backed the proposal for transparency....

Nike’s 2024 impact report highlighted recyclable polyester and rubber use and renewable energy sourcing in factories. Yet last year, detailed climate initiatives were replaced by data points on emissions and waste. Nike’s board urged shareholders to reject the proposal, arguing management is best positioned to determine targets and disclosures. Financial Strain And Market Pressure...

NEW YORK: Nike shareholders have rejected a proposal urging more transparency on its climate goals, including disclosing details on how the sportswear maker intends to reach emissions-reduction targets, the company says. The shareholder resolution resurfaced questions about the extent to which Nike, which for decades has positioned itself as a climate leader, is prioritising its environmental targets as it faces financial strain, US political pressure and global regulatory scrutiny of misleading environmental claims.

NEW YORK: Nike shareholders have rejected a proposal urging more transparency on its climate goals, including disclosing details on how the sportswear maker intends to reach emissions-reduction targets, the company says. The shareholder resolution resurfaced questions about the extent to which Nike, which for decades has positioned itself as a climate leader, is prioritising its environmental targets as it faces financial strain, US political pressure and global regulatory scrutiny of misleading environmental claims.

NEW YORK: Nike shareholders have rejected a proposal urging more transparency on its climate goals, including disclosing details on how the sportswear maker intends to reach emissions-reduction targets, the company says. The shareholder resolution resurfaced questions about the extent to which Nike, which for decades has positioned itself as a climate leader, is prioritising its environmental targets as it faces financial strain, US political pressure and global regulatory scrutiny of misleading environmental claims.

By Danielle Kaye NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) – Nike shareholders have rejected a proposal urging more transparency on its climate goals, including disclosing details on how the sportswear maker intends to reach emissions-reduction targets, the company said on Tuesday. The shareholder resolution ​resurfaced questions about the extent to which Nike, which for decades has positioned ‌itself as a climate leader, is prioritizing its environmental targets as it faces financial strain, U.S. political pressure and global regulatory scrutiny of misleading environmental claims....

The ⁠company, which has a market capitalization of about $56 billion, did not release shareholder vote tallies. Norway’s wealth fund, Nike’s 11th-biggest shareholder according to LSEG data, this week...

Nike’s board urged shareholders to vote against the proposal, arguing in a filing that the company remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and management is “best positioned to determin...

The Adidas campaign quickly drew sharp criticism and coordinated boycott calls across social media platforms from pro-Palestinian activists and international figures, including Spanish actor Javier Bardem. Critics pointed to the severe humanitarian crisis and high number of amputees in Gaza resulting from ongoing hostilities, arguing that featuring an Israeli military veteran was insensitive. Adidas says campaign was not intended to cause offense In a statement addressing the controversy, Adidas’s global headquarters distanced itself from the regional initiative and apologized for any distress caused....

...Adidas says campaign was not intended to cause offense In a statement addressing the controversy, Adidas’s global headquarters distanced itself from the regional initiative and apologized for any distress caused. The company stated that “it was never our intent to cause offense and we apologize for anyone affected.” The company emphasized that the single shoe service was designed to promote inclusion for people with limb differences, having launched initially in Europe in partnership with disability groups, and noted that the program expands across various international regions, including the Middle East....

Adidas described the material featuring Biton as a local Israeli promotion and stressed that the Single Shoe program itself is an international accessibility initiative operating in numerous countries. The company said it was taking the criticism seriously and would continue reviewing its actions to ensure they were consistent with its stated commitment to inclusion. Adidas Arabia, the company’s regional operation, also issued an apology amid the backlash....

...His injury occurred more than two years earlier. Spanish actor Javier Bardem was among the prominent figures who amplified calls to boycott Adidas. Adidas launched the Single Shoe service across 23 European countries in January, after consulting disability organizations and ParalympicsGB.

The campaign drew criticism from pro-Palestinian activists, who questioned the inclusion of a former Israeli soldier in an initiative focused on amputees while thousands of Palestinians have lost limbs during the war in Gaza. According to reports citing World Health Organisation estimates published in May, Gaza has recorded more than 5,000 traumatic limb amputations and more than 22,000 major extremity injuries since October 2023....

...The campaign featured Shalev Biton, who lost his left leg after being wounded while serving in the Israeli army in 2021, to promote Adidas’ Single Shoe service, which allows customers to purchase individual shoes rather than a pair. “We recognise that an image used in a recent local campaign has raised concerns and strong reactions,” Adidas Arabia said in a statement, according to reports. “It was never our intent in any way to cause offence, and we apologise to everyone affected by this,” the company said, adding that it was treating the reactions “with the utmost seriousness”....

“It was never our intent to cause offence, and we apologise for anyone affected,” the statement said, stressing that the promotion was a local initiative rather than part of a global campaign. Adidas Arabia also said the company would continue to “listen, learn and work” to ensure its actions reflected its stated inclusive values. For Gaza’s amputees, however, the controversy exposed a gulf that went far beyond a single advertisement....

“How can Adidas bring an Israeli soldier and put him in an advertisement while we, the wounded of the war in Gaza, are suffering so much?” Haliwa says....

“It was never our intent to cause offence, and we apologise for anyone affected,” the statement said, stressing that the promotion was a local initiative rather than part of a global campaign. Adidas Arabia also said the company would continue to “listen, learn and work” to ensure its actions reflected its stated inclusive values....

Pro-Palestinian activists criticized the decision to include a former Israeli soldier in a campaign centered on amputees, contrasting the promotion with the thousands of Palestinians who have lost limbs during Israel's war on Gaza. According to estimates published in May by the World Health Organization (WHO), Gaza has recorded more than 5,000 traumatic limb amputations and over 22,000 major extremity injuries since October 2023....

Adidas Arabia, a regional branch of the German sportswear giant Adidas issued on Monday a written apology after an advertising campaign featuring a former Israeli soldier sparked an online backlash and renewed calls for a boycott of the brand. The company featured Shalev Biton, who lost his left leg after being wounded while serving in the Israeli army in 2021, in a campaign promoting its Single Shoe service. "We recognize that an image used in a recent local campaign has raised concerns and strong reactions," Adidas Arabia said in a statement. "It was never our intent in any way to cause offense, and we apologize to everyone affected by this," it said, adding they were treating the reactions "with the utmost seriousness....

Adidas has apologised after criticism over an advertising campaign that featured a former Israeli soldier. The German sportswear company said that the promotion was created by its local team and was not part of a global campaign....

The campaign drew criticism from pro-Palestinian activists, who questioned the decision to feature a former Israeli soldier in a campaign focused on people living with limb loss. Critics also pointed to the large number of Palestinians who have suffered amputations and other serious injuries during Israel’s war in Gaza. According to World Health Organization estimates published in May, more than 5,000 people in Gaza have undergone traumatic limb amputations since October 2023, while more than 22,000 people have suffered major injuries to their limbs....

The campaign drew criticism from pro-Palestinian activists, who questioned the decision to feature a former Israeli soldier in a campaign focused on people living with limb loss. Critics also pointed to the large number of Palestinians who have suffered amputations and other serious injuries during Israel’s war in Gaza....

Adidas went on to stress its ‘Single Shoe’ in-store service was a campaign aimed at promoting inclusion and had been initially introduced in Europe. Biton lost his leg in 2021 after an anti-tank rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip and struck the military vehicle he was in on the Israeli side of the border....

...After rehabilitation, he now runs with a prosthetic limb. On August 26, Biton announced his collaboration with Adidas on Instagram, explaining that since returning to running, he had been forced to purchase full pairs of running shoes despite needing only one shoe. He described the launch of the Single Shoe service in Israel as a dream come true, saying it reflected a broader shift towards a world that adapts to the needs of people with disabilities rather than expecting them to adapt to existing systems.

...Meanwhile, Alo Yoga and Vuori gained market share. Investors will be watching whether O'Neill can revive Lululemon through new products, stronger marketing and a renewed focus on its brand. The leadership transition follows a bruising proxy battle between Lululemon and Wilson, which was ultimately settled with Wilson securing nominee seats on the company's board. Wilson's fortune remains heavily concentrated in retail and sporting-goods investments, particularly Amer Sports and Lululemon, while his family controls substantial interests in real estate and private investments....

“Here we have an Adidas campaign featuring an Israeli soldier, whose whole identity is centred around his being a soldier, who lost his leg while participating in one of the repeated Israeli assaults on Gaza, serving in an army of a state that is currently committing genocide, has carried out an illegal military occupation of the Palestinian territory, and that has been imposing a decades-long apartheid rule over Palestinians,” she said. Adidas did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for a comment....

Sportswear giant Adidas has faced criticism and calls for a boycott for featuring a former Israeli army soldier in an advertising campaign for the company’s single-shoe service for amputees. The Adidas advertisement promoting its in-store service, which shows former Israeli soldier Shalev Biton trying on a shoe at a store in Israel and then wearing it while running outdoors, was termed “an affront to Palestinians” by a boycott campaigns coordinator on Sunday. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4‘Nothing has changed’:...

“Here we have an Adidas campaign featuring an Israeli soldier, whose whole identity is centred around his being a soldier, who lost his leg while participating in one of the repeated Israeli assaults on Gaza, serving in an army of a state that is currently committing genocide, has carried out an illegal military occupation of the Palestinian territory, and that has been imposing a decades-long apartheid rule over Palestinians,” she said. Adidas did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for a comment. The World Health Organization estimates that between 5,000 and 6,000 people in Gaza have undergone amputations as of early October 2025, when Israel and Hamas signed a “ceasefire” agreement....

...Despite no longer being involved in Lululemon's day-to-day operations, Wilson has remained an influential shareholder. In December 2025, he launched a proxy battle against the company's leadership, accusing executives of becoming complacent as sales weakened.

...However, it pointed The Canadian Press toward a Thursday call with analysts where interim chief executive Meghan Frank said the company expects O'Neill "will take a deep dive into the business, evaluating our strategy and current action plan. " Among O'Neill's first tasks will be building relations with a fractured board, including two new members hand-picked by Wilson in exchange for an 18-month break from him publicly attacking the brand. A third board pick, with apparel product and brand experience, has been promised to him by Oct. 1 but has yet to be named.

..." Among O'Neill's first tasks will be building relations with a fractured board, including two new members hand-picked by Wilson in exchange for an 18-month break from him publicly attacking the brand. A third board pick, with apparel product and brand experience, has been promised to him by Oct. 1 but has yet to be named.

...You want the board and the CEO to be aligned, so the CEO can focus her 2,500 hours a year on beating the competition and creating shareholder value," Leblanc said. At the same time, O'Neill will have to rebuild the company's ranks and quickly inspire loyalty. When Lululemon carried out a layoff last year that partially struck its headquarters, it sent unaffected staff fleeing to nearby rivals like Arc'teryx, said Laurent Vasilescu, senior analyst at BNP Paribas Equity Research, in a recent note to investors. The last year of turmoil has only exacerbated that flow, he said.

...“Adidas launched Single Shoe in Europe in January 2026, a service that allows consumers and athletes who need only one shoe to purchase a single shoe instead of a pair,” the German company said in a media statement addressing the boycott campaign. “The service was developed in cooperation with communities and professional organizations, including the British Paralympic Association, as part of Adidas’ commitment to expanding accessibility to sport.” Without addressing the boycott by name, the company added that they “are aware that interpretations in recent days have misrepresented the purpose of the service.” Adidas stressed that it “is important to clarify that this is a global initiative intended to expand choice and accessibility for athletes and consumers around the world.”

...“The service was developed in cooperation with communities and professional organizations, including the British Paralympic Association, as part of Adidas’ commitment to expanding accessibility to sport.” Without addressing the boycott by name, the company added that they “are aware that interpretations in recent days have misrepresented the purpose of the service.” Adidas stressed that it “is important to clarify that this is a global initiative intended to expand choice and accessibility for athletes and consumers around the world.”

Activists are urging a boycott of Adidas after the sports brand featured Israeli soldier Shaliv Biton in a new campaign to promote its Single Shoe service, with many highlighting that Biton took part in one of Israel's many wars on Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. The Single Shoe service allows customers who need only one shoe to purchase it at half price, rather than paying the full cost of a pair....

...Biton has posted photos and videos of himself and other Israeli soldiers on Instagram in Gaza, singing and dancing. His social media profile also has images of him carrying arms. Pro-Palestine organisations and activists have called for a boycott of the brand, noting that Biton should not have been used in the campaign, due to his involvement in the bombardment of Gaza. Sports journalist Leyla Hamed said Adidas should have thought more carefully in their choice of representative.

...“The German sportswear brand Adidas is using Zionist war criminals from the "Israel" army, who lost a foot while invading Gaza, to promote their new single-foot sneakers. More than 4,000 Palestinian children have been amputated by "Israel's" bombs, but Adidas and other millionaire multinationals ignore them,” another activist wrote on X. Others said that Adidas had now associated itself with genocide and apartheid.

..."We know there is significant work ahead. " ALL EYES ON NEW ‌LEADER Investor attention has turned to O'Neill, now that Lululemon has managed to settle a bruising ​proxy fight with founder Chip Wilson. They will look for signs that the Nike veteran can revive sales through product innovation and marketing after she takes the helm next week....

..."We know there is significant work ahead. " ALL EYES ON NEW ‌LEADER Investor attention has turned to O'Neill, now that Lululemon has managed to settle a bruising ​proxy fight with founder Chip Wilson. They will look for signs that the Nike veteran can revive sales through product innovation and marketing after she takes the helm next week....

The eighth company featured in the report is Nike, which “still continues to push woke policies like allowing men to play in women’s sports through campaigns like ‘Be True,’” according to Consumers’ R...

The eighth company featured in the report is Nike, which “still continues to push woke policies like allowing men to play in women’s sports through campaigns like ‘Be True,’” according to Consumers’ Research. “All identities, bodies, and communities have the right to pursue their health and wellness goals safely, without concern or judgment,” the sportswear company’s webpage for its Be True Collection — which appears to feature transgender-identifying models — states. Another LGBTQ+ initiative flagged in the report was Nike’s “No Pride, No Sport,” which “targets children and hopes to ‘make sport available to everyone, everywhere,’” according to Consumers’ Research. None of the aforementioned companies from the Consumers’ Research report responded to the DCNF’s requests for comment at the time of publication.

The eighth company featured in the report is Nike, which “still continues to push woke policies like allowing men to play in women’s sports through campaigns like ‘Be True,’” according to Consumers’ R...

...This month, Athleta is bringing its vision of a female-first world to Olivia Rodrigo's inaugural Daisy Chain Fields Festival. United by a shared commitment to uplifting women and girls, Athleta and Daisy Chain Fields are partnering to celebrate the women shaping culture and moving the world forward. Athleta will pair in-festival experiences with a meaningful investment from the Athleta Impact Fund to Daisy Chain Fields' nonprofit partners, a group of organizations dedicated to advocating for women and girls. The contribution reflects Athleta's longstanding commitment to supporting organizations that are shaping a more equitable future, and belief in championing women both through long-term investment and meaningful experiences.

As the Official Athletic Apparel Sponsor, Athleta will also offer limited-edition Daisy Chain Fields merchandise created to commemorate the historic gathering. The Athleta x Daisy Chain Fields Forever Fleece Full-Zip Sweatshirt will be available in two designs in sizes XXS-3X and sold for $109, with proceeds from sales benefiting Daisy Chain Fields' nonprofit partners. For more information about the brand visit www.athleta.com and follow Athleta on social media via Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

The EEOC said Nike has complied with its request for information connected to its probe into the company's DEI policies. A federal district court judge in Missouri last Thursday granted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s request to dismiss a subpoena enforcement action it filed againsthad complied with its requests for more information and documentation in connection with its probe of the sportswear giant’s diversity, equity and inclusion Andrea R. Lucas also alleged that Nike had “race-based workforce representation quotas. ”with the EEOC in the final weeks of the Biden administration before that got withdrawn after U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Trump has since started the process of dismantling the federal government’s DEI programs in favor of a merit-based focus....

The EEOC said Nike has complied with its request for information connected to its probe into the company's DEI policies. A federal district court judge in Missouri last Thursday granted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s request to dismiss a subpoena enforcement action it filed againsthad complied with its requests for more information and documentation in connection with its probe of the sportswear giant’s diversity, equity and inclusion Andrea R. Lucas also alleged that Nike had “race-based workforce representation quotas. ”with the EEOC in the final weeks of the Biden administration before that got withdrawn after U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January 2025....

The subpoena enforcement action against Nike offered a glimpse into an EEOC investigation into a charge, a process that normally remains confidential unless it results in fines, settlements, legal action or other public actions. The EEOC has sought data on Nike’s employment decisions dating back years, including its criteria for selecting employees for layoffs, how it tracks and uses worker race and ethnicity data, and information about programs that allegedly provided race-restricted mentoring, leadership or career development opportunities, according to court documents. It was unclear if Nike had provided all of the information the EEOC had demanded.

By ALEXANDRA OLSON NEW YORK (AP) — A federal civil rights agency is dropping a subpoena enforcement action against Nike, saying the company has complied with requests for information as part of an investigation into the sportswear giant’s diversity and inclusion policies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the motion to dismiss in Missouri federal court Wednesday, seven months after asking the court to order Nike to fully comply with the subpoena....

By ALEXANDRA OLSON NEW YORK (AP) — A federal civil rights agency is dropping a subpoena enforcement action against Nike, saying the company has complied with requests for information as part of an in...

In February, the company called the court action a “surprising and unusual escalation,” saying it had handed over thousands of pages of information to the EEOC and was in the process of sharing more. In court filings, Nike called many of the requests overly broad and burdensome, saying they amounted to a “fishing expedition” for “information about every employment decision in the “idle hope that evidence of wrongdoing might be uncovered for one of them.”...

The subpoena enforcement action against Nike offered a glimpse into an EEOC investigation into a charge, a process that normally remains confidential unless it results in fines, settlements, legal action or other public actions. The EEOC has sought data on Nike's employment decisions dating back years, including its criteria for selecting employees for layoffs, how it tracks and uses worker race and ethnicity data, and information about programs that allegedly provided race-restricted mentoring, leadership or career development opportunities, according to court documents. It was unclear if Nike had provided all of the information the EEOC had demanded.

NEW YORK — A federal civil rights agency is dropping a subpoena enforcement action against Nike, saying the company has complied with requests for information as part of an investigation into the sportswear giant's diversity and inclusion policies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the motion to dismiss in Missouri federal court Wednesday, seven months after asking the court to order Nike to fully comply with the subpoena. In its court filing, the EEOC said that between March and August, Nike had provided "information and documents responsive to the subpoena," leaving "no remaining controversy" for the court to resolve....

...In December, Lucas posted a social media call-out urging white men to file complaints if they have experienced discrimination based on race or sex. The investigation against Nike, however, did not stem from a worker charge but from a complaint that Lucas filed herself in May 2024, alleging that the company was discriminating against white employees. Her charge cited Nike’s publicly shared information about mentorship and other programs designed to foster diversity, data showing it had increased the number of minorities in its leadership ranks and its publicly stated goal of achieving 35% representation of racial and ethnic minorities in its corporate workforce by 2025.

...An EEOC spokesperson said the agency is “pleased the company complied without a court order after the filing of our subpoena enforcement action,” but declined to provide more details. Nike declined to comment. Nike is one of the highest companies targeted by EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas’ campaign against corporate diversity and inclusion policies, which the Trump administration claims discriminate against white men and others.

...The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the motion to dismiss in Missouri federal court Wednesday, seven months after asking the court to order Nike to fully comply with the subpoena. In its court filing, the EEOC said that between March and August, Nike had provided “information and documents responsive to the subpoena,” leaving “no remaining controversy” for the court to resolve. An EEOC spokesperson said the agency is “pleased the company complied without a court order after the filing of our subpoena enforcement action,” but declined to provide more details....

South African pupils are using generative AI to design sneakers made with recycled materials as part of an international challenge involving schools around the world. Learners from more than 30 schools gathered last month at the Amazon Think Big Space in Cape Town to begin the Amazon Think Big Community Challenge, run in partnership with performance footwear company Brooks Running. Over the coming months, teams of pupils aged between 13 and 16 will develop designs for Brooks sneakers using an AI-powered application built on Amazon Web Services cloud and AI technology....

...The challenge also introduces learners to questions around materials and sustainability. Their designs must consider the use of recycled materials, combining the visual appeal of a sneaker with some of the environmental decisions involved in making it. For Brooks, the partnership provides a way to expose young people to footwear design and product development. For Amazon, it forms part of a broader effort to build familiarity with science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.

The company expects the conflict to hurt sales and profitability, while tariff-related benefits in the mid-double-digit-million-euro range are expected to largely offset that impact on EBIT. Puma expects third-quarter sales to remain negative but improve sequentially from the second quarter, with another improvement expected in the fourth quarter. Hoeld said Puma will complete its workforce-reduction program by the end of 2026. The plan includes 500 positions announced in the first half of 2025 and an additional 900 positions identified later that year. He said the company remains focused on cleaner distribution, stronger product franchises, improved profitability and rebuilding brand momentum for growth beyond 2026....

Explaining the decision, Chouinard told The New York Times: "Hopefully this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesn't end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people. " He also said: "We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet. " Those remarks were later highlighted by Fortune while recounting his unusual journey from living on almost nothing to giving away a multibillion-dollar company. What to learn from Yvon Chouinard Yvon Chouinard's story is unlike most billionaire success stories....

...You lose all control, and then you become one of these irresponsible companies." Instead of cashing out, Chouinard searched for another way to ensure Patagonia's mission would survive long after he was gone. The decision to give away a $3 billion company In 2022, Chouinard and his family transferred ownership of Patagonia to a specially designed trust and nonprofit structure. The arrangement ensures that profits not reinvested in the business—estimated at roughly $100 million annually—are directed toward fighting climate change, protecting biodiversity, and preserving undeveloped land instead of enriching shareholders.

...Speaking about Wall Street, he said: "I don't respect the stock market at all." He added: "Once you're public, you've lost control over the company, and you have to maximize profits for the shareholder. You lose all control, and then you become one of these irresponsible companies." Instead of cashing out, Chouinard searched for another way to ensure Patagonia's mission would survive long after he was gone....

...Under Oregon law, racketeering requires prosecutors to prove not just that a crime was committed, but that the defendants were part of an organized criminal enterprise operating through a pattern of illegal activity. It is the same statute used to prosecute organized crime. Court documents formally identify Nike — specifically its Beaverton headquarters on Bowerman Drive — as the victim in this case. The company has requested to be notified of every stage of the proceedings and is actively seeking full restitution of the more than one million dollars prosecutors say was stolen....

...Griffith — working from the inside — would set inflated prices for Mosher’s company to bill Nike. Nike would pay those inflated bills without question, unaware that its own employee had set the prices. Then Mosher would funnel roughly half of those inflated payments back to Griffith — through a shell company Griffith had created called Quiver and Bow LLC....

Nike has been ordered to pay more than $7.5 million after a federal jury in Portland, Oregon, found the sportswear giant discriminated against a former employee because of her gender. The jury ruled that Nike paid Heather Hender, a process engineer, less than her male colleagues and promoted her more slowly during her five years at the company, in violation of both the federal Equal Pay Act and Oregon state law. A Case Rooted In Nike's 'Boys' Club' Reckoning The case dates back to 2018, when Hender and three other current and former Nike employees sued the company alleging systemic sex discrimination in pay and promotions....

Nike has been ordered to pay more than $7.5 million after a federal jury in Portland, Oregon, found the sportswear giant discriminated against a former employee because of her gender. The jury ruled that Nike paid Heather Hender, a process engineer, less than her male colleagues and promoted her more slowly during her five years at the company, in violation of both the federal Equal Pay Act and Oregon state law....

As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and bold self-expression, UGG® proudly partners with Queer|Art, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ artists through intergenerational mentorship, resources, and community. Together, the year-round partnership empowers the next generation of LGBTQ+ creatives through grants, experiences, and community programming, reinforcing the UGG® brand’s investment in expanding access to the arts and creating opportunities for emerging talent. Building on that commitment, the UGG® brand has also donated to Chicxs Rockerxs South East Los Angeles (CRSELA) through its Back-to-School campaign and partnership with MUNA....

...Together, the year-round partnership empowers the next generation of LGBTQ+ creatives through grants, experiences, and community programming, reinforcing the UGG® brand’s investment in expanding access to the arts and creating opportunities for emerging talent. Building on that commitment, the UGG® brand has also donated to Chicxs Rockerxs South East Los Angeles (CRSELA) through its Back-to-School campaign and partnership with MUNA. The donation supports CRSELA’s mission of empowering youth through music, mentorship, and social justice, furthering the brand's dedication to championing underrepresented communities and inspiring individuals to boldly express themselves through creativity. UGG® Retail Experience

...Featuring original illustrations inspired by the brand's heritage, iconic silhouettes, and seasonal moments, the interactive keepsake invites guests of all ages to engage with the brand in a playful, creative way long after they leave the store—inviting them to become artists themselves. To further support the academic community, UGG® is proud to offer students 10% off footwear and apparel through UNiDAYS and teachers and educators 10% off through SheerID at UGG® stores and UGG.com, helping make premium craftsmanship and timeless style more accessible throughout the school year. Product Collection Details

Jurors in a federal case found Nike violated federal and state laws when it discriminated against a former employee because of her sex. An eight member jury comprised of one women and eight men in an Oregon federal district court on Wednesday found thatdiscriminated against former engineer Heather Hender when it paid her less than her male colleagues and that they also promoted her more slowly when she worked there from 2015 to 2020 because of her sex. The trial lasted six days, but took just over a day for the jurors to reach their verdict on pay and promotion discrimination claims....

...They each alleged that they were being paid less than their male colleagues for substantially similar work. Allegedly women were paid an average of $11,000 less than male counterparts. The plaintiffs also charged that they purportedly had fewer promotion opportunities....

Jurors in a federal case found Nike violated federal and state laws when it discriminated against a former employee because of her sex. An eight member jury comprised of one women and eight men in an Oregon federal district court on Wednesday found thatdiscriminated against former engineer Heather Hender when it paid her less than her male colleagues and that they also promoted her more slowly when she worked there from 2015 to 2020 because of her sex....

Birchwood-based New Balance donated boxes of brand-new sports apparel to Room at the Inn, a Warrington homelessness charity. The gift includes brand-new trainers, hoodies, and other unworn apparel that can make a lasting difference in someone’s life....

...Up to 5,000 hours of volunteer support is also delivered annually. Room at the Inn houses up to 24 residents in supported accommodation and helps people who are homeless or face mental health challenges, substance misuse, domestic violence or transitioning from care by helping them to access essential services. New Balance, a privately owned, family company, is well known for giving back and has supported Room at the Inn for several years.

...Those operational shortcomings have added to doubts about Nike’s ability to consistently deliver products when demand is highest. Reduced Financial Disclosure Sparks Investor Concerns The latest earnings report generated additional scrutiny after Nike reduced the amount of information it routinely shares with investors. Among the changes was the removal of sales figures broken down by gender....

...Those operational shortcomings have added to doubts about Nike’s ability to consistently deliver products when demand is highest. Reduced Financial Disclosure Sparks Investor Concerns The latest earnings report generated additional scrutiny after Nike reduced the amount of information it routinely shares with investors. Among the changes was the removal of sales figures broken down by gender. Some analysts viewed the decision as a worrying signal, particularly because expanding its women’s business has been one of Nike’s long-term strategic priorities....

...Among the changes was the removal of sales figures broken down by gender. Some analysts viewed the decision as a worrying signal, particularly because expanding its women’s business has been one of Nike’s long-term strategic priorities. The reduced transparency prompted fresh questions about whether progress in that area has stalled.

The founder of is in talks to buy back a portion of the 21% stake he sold to private equity in 2020. Ben Francis, who has built the business into a high-profile billion-pound international sportswear brand with a flagship store on London’s , wants to regain more control from US private equity firm General Atlantic. Currently Francis, who maintains a 70% stake and is worth an estimated £726 million, is reportedly holding talks with General Atlantic about the potential valuation and size of the stake he wants to buy back, but isn’t looking to acquire the entire 21%, according to the Financial Times. Francis, who is chief executive of the business, is also in talks with banks over the financing of the deal with General Atlantic, which has a representative on the company’s board....

The founder of is in talks to buy back a portion of the 21% stake he sold to private equity in 2020. Ben Francis, who has built the business into a high-profile billion-pound international sportswear brand with a flagship store on London’s , wants to regain more control from US private equity firm General Atlantic. Currently Francis, who maintains a 70% stake and is worth an estimated £726 million, is reportedly holding talks with General Atlantic about the potential valuation and size of the stake he wants to buy back, but isn’t looking to acquire the entire 21%, according to the Financial Times....

Last year, the company cut hundreds of roles in a restructure to “weather near-term storms” and better service customers in continental Europe. Gymshark’s revenues rose 6.5% to £647m in the year to July 2025, however pre-tax profits fell from £11.8m to £6.9m, according to the most recent financial filing at Companies House....

"Had there been no defect whatsoever, there was no occasion for the OP to approve the claim of the complainant and process the same for exchange," the commission said. The commission also noted that Asics failed to produce any evidence to support its claim....

...The commission emphasized consumers' right to durable, quality products. A consumer commission in Chandigarh has directed Asics India to refund the cost of a defective pair of running shoes and pay compensation, holding the company guilty of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice, reported TOI. The Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the company to refund Rs 6,499 — the amount paid for the shoes — along with 6% annual interest....

Adidas has ended its partnership with Kanye West, saying it “does not tolerate antisemitism” after the rapper was suspended from Instagram and Twitter over offensive posts. The German sports brand said recent comments and actions from West, who has officially changed his name to Ye, had been “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness”....

Adidas has ended its partnership with Kanye West, saying it “does not tolerate antisemitism” after the rapper was suspended from Instagram and Twitter over offensive posts. The German sports brand said recent comments and actions from West, who has officially changed his name to Ye, had been “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness”. The company said it would take a “short-term” hit of €250m (£217m) to its income for this year after deciding to stop the brand’s business with immediate effect....

...The decision added to the sense that it doesn’t have a full handle on its problems and is not forthcoming enough. “Pulling back on yet another disclosure is a red flag to us particularly since women’s was supposed to be a long-term growth driver,” BNP Paribas Equity Research senior analyst Laurent Vasilescu wrote in a note on Wednesday. Nike, whose customer base has long skewed male, has been trying for years to make greater inroads with women, and the reduced transparency could lead analysts to conclude those efforts have hit a wall....

With its latest earnings report, Nike did itself another disservice by unexpectedly dialing back some disclosures in its financial results, such as a breakdown of sales by gender. The decision added to the sense that it doesn’t have a full handle on its problems and is not forthcoming enough....

...“Pulling back on yet another disclosure is a red flag to us particularly since women’s was supposed to be a long-term growth driver,” BNP Paribas Equity Research senior analyst Laurent Vasilescu wrote in a note on Wednesday. Nike, whose customer base has long skewed male, has been trying for years to make greater inroads with women, and the reduced transparency could lead analysts to conclude those efforts have hit a wall. Nike shares fell on the earnings report Tuesday and are down 75% from their all–time high five years ago....

...Nike’s fourth quarter results only added more scrutiny to the progress of CEO Elliot Hill’s “Win Now” plan, implemented upon Hill’s return to the brand two years ago in the face of growing competition in sportswear and continued pressure on margins. Among other efforts, the company announced in April that it would be cutting 1,400 roles in its global operations team, as part of a bid to modernize its tech stack and supply chain, according to a release at the time.

...Nike’s fourth quarter results only added more scrutiny to the progress of CEO Elliot Hill’s “Win Now” plan, implemented upon Hill’s return to the brand two years ago in the face of growing competition in sportswear and continued pressure on margins. Among other efforts, the company announced in April that it would be cutting 1,400 roles in its global operations team, as part of a bid to modernize its tech stack and supply chain, according to a release at the time.

...Looking ahead, Drbul said that there’s a “meaningful opportunity to structurally improve gross margins through supply chain efficiency and product cost reductions.” Moreover, while actions in the back half of Fiscal Year 2026 that include reducing the number of facilities, resizing the workforce and optimizing product flow from factory to retail resulted in costs, these actions are “expected to support margin expansion in Fiscal Year 2027 and contribute to a longer-term trajectory back toward double-digit operating margins,” Drbul concluded. He sees progress emerging in the Greater China reset, helped by reductions in promotional activity over the last two quarters....

...Excluding the benefit of tariff recovery, earnings per share would have been $1.58, down 26.5 percent from $2.16 a year ago. Friend noted that the slight expansion in gross margins and decline in earnings came amid “significant investment and nearly $400 million of severance charges made to reposition and create a healthier foundation for our business.” Regional Highlights for Q4

...It builds loyalty. And it creates a pull market for our brands and products.” Hill cited actions taken “across our supply chain to lower costs, streamline operations, and right-size our distribution network to match the demand ahead,” referring to a few rounds of layoffs to realign its management structure. The CEO said, “We’ve redeployed resources from our Nike Direct technology teams to better support the company end-to-end, across the entire value chain.”...

In community care, the Foundation has distributed elderly welfare grants for 18 consecutive years, with cumulative support exceeding RMB 60 million. It has also funded the construction of the "Jinjiang Blue Ribbon Care Center", which provides systematic support services for families of children with autism in Jinjiang....

...Construction has now been completed, and the hospital is expected to become operational by the end of 2026. Fully funded through a RMB 2 billion endowment from the ANTA founding family, the non-profit public Grade A tertiary hospital is located in Chendai Town, Jinjiang City. As a National Regional Medical Center specializing in orthopedics and trauma care, it is expected to serve not only Fujian Province but also countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative....

...In education, the Foundation supports scholarships, teaching excellence, and student assistance programs. To date, it has helped more than 1,500 university students pursue higher education and distributed over RMB 30 million in educational grants. In sports philanthropy, it has supported 534 elite athletes nationwide in returning to competition following injury rehabilitation.

The academy itself is expected to play a role beyond metropolitan centres. Sharma says programmes run by Bopanna's academy aim to identify promising players from different parts of the country, including in smaller cities where access to elite training ecosystems remains limited. A tennis play for business growth While the initiative is rooted in athlete development, ASICS is equally clear about the commercial opportunity....

...The company has partnered with the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy (RBTA), marking its most significant grassroots tennis initiative in India so far. The collaboration reflects both a business ambition to grow its tennis category and a broader belief that the future of sports marketing lies in identifying athletes long before they become household names. Under the partnership, ASICS will support the academy through athlete education programmes, product access, clinics, masterclasses, tournaments and high-performance training initiatives, while creating pathways for promising players to progress through the ranks. From backing athletes to building them

...All the while, layoffs have been hitting teams. Just this spring, Nike said it was cutting 1,400 roles, which came after job reductions at Converse and across distribution centers. For all the turmoil, Nike remains the world’s largest sportswear company — a position that, while increasingly challenged, is unlikely to disappear anytime soon....

...The debut of Nike’s branded players’ jerseys drew criticism about puckering on the shoulders, while production delays had led to some tournament-related inventory not reaching retailers on the company’s expected timeline, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified to discuss confidential information. In another stumble this year, Nike removed an ad declaring “Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated” after it was viewed by some as shaming people who needed breaks or had disabilities.

Lululemon shareholders have elected three management-backed directors, including former Levi Strauss chief Chip Bergh, cementing the settlement of a bruising proxy battle with its founder and paving the way for the incoming chief executive officer to focus on reviving the athleisure brand. Please sign in to ensure you can read our agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice....

Lululemon shareholders have elected three management-backed directors, including former Levi Strauss chief Chip Bergh, cementing the settlement of a bruising proxy battle with its founder and paving the way for the incoming CEO to focus on reviving the athleisure brand. The company also disclosed on Friday that two of founder Chip Wilson’s nominees, Marc Maurer and Laura Gentile, have been appointed as independent directors, taking the board strength to 11....

Wilson, who owns roughly 8.6 per cent of the company, has publicly sparred with the company’s management since December, weighing on the stock and exposing deep tensions over strategy, leadership and the brand’s direction. Under the agreement, Wilson has also agreed to an 18-month standstill on public criticism. The settlement and voting outcome give former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill some room to maneuver as she takes over in September....

Lululemon shareholders have elected three management-backed directors, including former Levi Strauss chief Chip Bergh, cementing the settlement of a bruising proxy battle with its founder and paving the way for the incoming CEO to focus on reviving the athleisure brand. The company also disclosed on Friday that two of founder Chip Wilson’s nominees, Marc Maurer and Laura Gentile, have been appointed as independent directors, taking the board strength to 11. A third mutually agreed director will join by October 1, as part of the truce struck last month....

ASICS, the worldwide Japanese sportswear brand, today established a collaboration with Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy (RBTA) to nurture and develop tennis talent in India. The relationship combines ASICS’ global experience in performance innovation with the RBTA’s proven training infrastructure to develop organised routes for professional and aspiring athletes....

...The collaboration takes a comprehensive approach to athlete development, integrating performance, wellbeing, and progression, and is driven by the philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’. It will also assist long-term athlete development through the RBTA’s High-Performance and Jr. Pro programs, providing opportunities for promising athletes.

Under Armour has continued to buy vast quantities of clothes from Needle Craft despite the suicide reports and serious concerns about forced labour, which CBP defines as “work performed involuntarily ...

Under Armour has continued to buy vast quantities of clothes from Needle Craft despite the suicide reports and serious concerns about forced labour, which CBP defines as “work performed involuntarily and under menace of penalty”. America’s third-biggest sportswear brand has imported more than 200,000 containers of clothing from Needle Craft in the last year, according to border records collected by the trade-analysis firm ImportGenius....

...The bans came as part of a major crackdown by the advertising regulator on fashion companies’ use of misleading claims about the environmental footprint of their clothing. The UK arm of Adidas was probed over a Google ad which included the strapline: “Adidas recycled running shoes […] check out our recycled shoe range today.” When questioned by the regulator, the German-based sportswear titan conceded that it does not operate a standalone range of recycled running shoes, saying instead that certain products across their collections “might incorporate recycled materials”. ‘Risk that people could be misled’

The ASA said it “expected to see evidence showing that all shoes in a recycled running shoe range were made entirely from recycled material”, and banned the ad after this evidence could not be supplied. Calvin Klein Europe was censured by the regulator for operating a Google advert which stated: “Calvin Klein tops for women....

In April, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand (essentially a subpoena) to Lululemon as part of an ongoing investigation into the chemicals in their clothes. His office cites consumer concerns and emerging research as the reason behind the probe into Lululemon, but it’s hard to say exactly what motivated the investigation beyond a broader movement against PFAS, microplastics, and endocrine disruptors from clothing....

Recently, the Texas Attorney General announced it was investigating Lululemon for allegedly including PFAS in their activewear, violating the state’s laws. (For the record: Lululemon states that their products .)...

Adidas ranked third out of 2,160 global brands on Kantar’s inaugural Sustainability Consumer-led Brand Ranking 2026 report in a reading of its reputation for sustainability. Other brands in the active lifestyle space landing among the Top 20 ranking include The North Face, 11; Veja, 16; and Nike, 17....

...The fashion and sportswear brands are used to illustrate recurring patterns rather than ranked on a single dimension. The North Face is cited for using technical performance to make its sustainability claims credible, with its recycled-material Futurelight fabric tested on Everest before reaching shops. Adidas is highlighted for participation, having produced more than 30 million pairs of shoes using Parley Ocean Plastic by the end of 2020. Veja, which Kantar says spends nothing on advertising and redirects the budget into its supply chain, is presented as a case of restraint....

The Decathlon Seed: a unique global initiative designed to expand teammates share ownership across the company. €2,000 in free shares or asset incentives granted to eligible employees worldwide.* Va...

...It has been designed to reflect the diversity of the Group while maintaining a shared principle of fairness and value sharing. Each eligible teammate will receive an allocation that vests after a three-year period. During this period, the value of the allocation will evolve in line with the company’s collective performance....

Beyond equipment, Yonex has committed $270,000 over the next three years to resurface tennis courts at Community Impact Hubs nationwide. These revitalized courts will not only be physical places to play and host events, but also serve as community spaces where tens of thousands of young people and their families can build confidence, connection, and leadership skills....

Beyond equipment, Yonex has committed $270,000 over the next three years to resurface tennis courts at Community Impact Hubs nationwide. These revitalized courts will not only be physical places to play and host events, but also serve as community spaces where tens of thousands of young people and their families can build confidence, connection, and leadership skills. "At Yonex, we believe tennis has the power to change lives and strengthen communities," said LaNiece Douglas, Yonex USA President....

Wilson, who stepped down as chairman in 2013, has now agreed not to badmouth the company for a year and a half, in a deal which will see some directors he recommended join the board. Patrick Ricciardi, analyst at Third Bridge, said: 'Lululemon has more trouble bringing guests back into the store than it does attracting them....

She said that ‘spikes of negative commentary in the media and on social channels’ had hit traffic. ‘These stories have died down and subsided - but we have not yet seen a return to our pre-disruption...

...The strategy also reaches well beyond flagship cities. Nike highlighted Toma el Juego, its community-led street football initiative that has hosted more than 100 tournaments across six continents and more than 20 cities. Designed to create pathways from street football to elite competition, the program places creativity and self-expression as the stars of the game....

...Nike highlighted Toma el Juego, its community-led street football initiative that has hosted more than 100 tournaments across six continents and more than 20 cities. Designed to create pathways from street football to elite competition, the program places creativity and self-expression as the stars of the game. That emphasis on local communities may be one of the most interesting aspects of Nike’s wider football strategy....

The company believes part of the problem was negative consumer sentiment toward the brand, driven at least in part by a public proxy fight with founder Chip Wilson. That said, it also highlighted product launches that didn't meet company expectations....

...That said, it also highlighted product launches that didn't meet company expectations. The proxy fight was settled roughly a week before the earnings release, giving Wilson two board seats and requiring the founder to stop publicly discussing the company in a negative light. Wilson had been openly complaining about Lululemon's poor business execution....

Citi Research upgraded Puma to “Buy” from “Neutral” as the investment firm sees a “potential major mid-term growth opportunity” in China for the brand following its formation of a strategic partnershi...

Citi Research upgraded Puma to “Buy” from “Neutral” as the investment firm sees a “potential major mid-term growth opportunity” in China for the brand following its formation of a strategic partnershi...

Dedicating to a More Creative Game: Creativity is central to the mission of Toma el Juego, Nike’s community-led street football program. Designed to unleash the joy, freedom and creativity of football among young athletes, Toma has fueled football culture through over 100 tournaments across six continents and more than 20 cities, creating new pathways from street football to elite play. Nike’s commitment to a creative game is also represented in the latest collaboration in a global partnership with LEGO ®, bringing to life a shared belief that play fuels creativity.

Dedicating to a More Creative Game: Creativity is central to the mission of Toma el Juego, Nike’s community-led street football program. Designed to unleash the joy, freedom and creativity of football among young athletes, Toma has fueled football culture through over 100 tournaments across six continents and more than 20 cities, creating new pathways from street football to elite play. Nike’s commitment to a creative game is also represented in the latest collaboration in a global partnership with LEGO ®, bringing to life a shared belief that play fuels creativity.

Former NBA player turned human rights advocate Enes Kanter Freedom on X called out Curry for partnering with the Chinese company over the risk of human rights violations in the labor line. Li-Ning has come under scrutiny for its support of using Xinjiang cotton, a commodity that researchers say is likely tainted with Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang....

Former NBA player turned human rights advocate Enes Kanter Freedom on X called out Curry for partnering with the Chinese company over the risk of human rights violations in the labor line. Li-Ning has come under scrutiny for its support of using Xinjiang cotton, a commodity that researchers say is likely tainted with Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang. “He lectures America about ‘justice’ and ‘values’ while cashing checks from a company tied to the same Chinese system accused of forced labor, sweatshops, and brutal human rights abuses,” said Kanter Freedom, who believes he was sidelined by the league for his criticism of China’s human rights record....

...In a statement posted after several online statements from Gonia, Patagonia said they had hoped to avoid a lawsuit. Advertisement “We want to acknowledge any hurt it has caused, especially in the LGBTQ+ community,” the company wrote. “Importantly, we continue to want to resolve this.”...

...‘You don’t need proof of actual confusion; the test is likelihood of confusion.’ Trademark lawyer Nancy J. Mertzel Gonia said the timing of Patagonia’s lawsuit, “at the height of anti-LGBTQ politics and attacks”, was purposeful. “They looked at this political moment and thought they could pull this off without a pushback,” she said....

...In doing so, Pattie Gonia is causing irreparable harm to Patagonia, the company said in a lawsuit filed in California in January. Gonia, speaking publicly on social media last week for the first time since the lawsuit was filed, said the company was trying to take away their name permanently and “erase an activist,” and called on Patagonia to drop the lawsuit. Advertisement

But while it's been accepted by the biggest names in basketball, Li-Ning has been rejected by government watchdog groups and human-rights organizations. Currently, Li-Ning is among several Chinese companies accused of using forced labor to produce their goods and the brand has been banned in the United States since 2022. Li-Ning denied the allegations in a 2022 statement to the Hong Kong Stock exchange, but it's imports have yet to hit American stores as the effective ban has remained in place....

But while it's been accepted by the biggest names in basketball, Li-Ning has been rejected by government watchdog groups and human-rights organizations. Currently, Li-Ning is among several Chinese companies accused of using forced labor to produce their goods and the brand has been banned in the United States since 2022. Li-Ning denied the allegations in a 2022 statement to the Hong Kong Stock exchange, but it's imports have yet to hit American stores as the effective ban has remained in place. Kanter Freedom, who has blamed the abrupt end of his NBA career on China, lashed out at Curry on X by calling the agreement 'shameful.' 'Stephen Curry signs shoe endorsement contract with Chinese company Li-Ning,' Kanter wrote on X. 'He lectures America about 'justice' and 'values' while cashing checks from a company tied to the same Chinese system accused of forced labor, sweatshops, and brutal human rights abuses,' he continued.

Stephen Curry is moving forward with a controversial endorsement deal. The 38-year-old Golden State Warriors star player inked a contract with Li-Ning, the apparel company banned from the United States in 2022. The company faces accusations by the U.S. government and human rights groups of using forced labor. From the Pulitzer Center last summer: “Earlier this year, a major investigation by TBIJ, the New York Times and Der Spiegel connected more than 100 global brands to the Xinjiang labour transfer scheme that moves ethnic minorities thousands of miles across China to work in eastern factories....

...The transfer scheme is a central pillar of the Chinese government’s systematic destruction of the Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz communities of Xinjiang. Anta, Li-Ning and 361 Degrees are among the brands that directly own production sites linked to these human rights abuses.” Stephen left his Under Armour deal after 13 years in November.

After the company’s annual meeting on June 25, Laura Gentile, former chief marketing officer of ESPN, and Marc Maurer, former co-chief executive officer of On Holding, will join Lululemon’s board. Another new director with “product and brand expertise in apparel” will be added by October....

Updated 4:51 p.m. ET May 27 Lululemon Athletica Inc. bought itself 18 months of peace — at least in public — by cutting a deal with its disgruntled founder Chip Wilson, who is dropping his proxy battle. More from WWD At Lululemon, a Board Revamp, CEO Switch and Constant Negotiations With Disgruntled Founder Chip Wilson Athleisure Face-off:...

...But the board, which has already been getting something of a refresh, named former Nike executive Heidi O’Neil CEO and she’s set to start in September. The deal with Wilson avoids a clash at the annual meeting and will give O’Neil a chance to get to work without a public fight. Wilson agreed to standstill, non-disparagement, voting and other provisions that last for about 18 months.

Lululemon Athletica has ended its boardroom battle with founder Chip Wilson, agreeing to give him two board picks in exchange for his pledge to stay quiet for 18 months as a new CEO prepares to steer the athleisure brand. The company said on Wednesday that Marc Maurer, a former co-CEO of sneaker maker On Holding, and Laura Gentile, a former chief marketing officer of ESPN – both executives suggested by Wilson – will join the board after the annual meeting scheduled for June 25....

...A third director, who will be mutually selected by both sides and has product and brand expertise, will be appointed by October 1, the company said. In return Wilson, who owns 8.7 per cent of the company best known for its stretchy yoga pants, agreed to a contractual clause that caps his stake while he also agreed to stop disparaging the company for about 18 months, Lululemon said.

She is replacing Calvin McDonald and inheriting a business in crisis: sales are slumping in the United States, its largest market; it is losing share to younger rivals such as Alo Yoga and Vuori; the stock has fallen by nearly half over five years; and it is engaged in a public feud with its own founder, Chip Wilson, who accuses the board of having killed the brand’s creative soul. Wilson has also questioned O’Neil’s appointment: “I genuinely hope that Heidi is the right person for Lululemon, but a near 30-year veteran of NIKE, Inc., is not the symbol of transformative, creative-first leadership that can instill shareholder confidence in today’s world.”

...“That’s fine. We’ll let the work answer.” Within the company, the board has closed ranks. Its chair, Marti Morfitt, describes her as the “best, perfect, right next leader for this company,” highlighting her creativity, brand instinct and global experience....

...Santiago Martinez Ric, head of sports marketing at Asics EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), said the new camp reflects the brand’s “holistic approach” to performance and sports marketing. “The Asics Basecamp has been created to support both the physical and mental wellbeing of our athletes,” Martinez Ric noted. “With the opening of the camp, we are expanding our commitment to the Asics trail team by creating a unique space that allows athletes to connect, prepare and ultimately thrive in one of the most inspiring locations in the world.”...

Asics added that the goal of this new venture is to “provide younger and elite trail runners with the premium training, recovery, and community they need to reach the next level without the steep financial burden.” Santiago Martinez Ric, head of sports marketing at Asics EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), said the new camp reflects the brand’s “holistic approach” to performance and sports marketing....

Asics is giving its elite athletes a place to call home when training for new challenges. Based in Les Houches, near Chamonix, France, the new Basecamp is the Japanese athletic brand’s first base in ...

Canadian athleisure giant Lululemon is locked in a public battle with its founder, Chip Wilson, over who should fill seats On its board. The company is currently led by two interim co-CEOs until Heidi O’Neill, a former Nike executive, takes over in September....

...He served as CEO until 2005, later remaining involved as chairman before leaving the board in 2015. He now owns about 8.6 percent of the company. Wilson has long drawn scrutiny for controversial remarks about the brand and its customers....

Lululemon fired back at founder Chip Wilson on Monday in a shareholder letter, calling his perspectives "outdated" and his conflicts of interest "troubling," and urging investors to reject the three board nominees he has put forward ahead of the company's June 25 annual meeting. Settlement negotiations broke down last week, prompting Lululemon to go public with what marks its first significant response to Wilson since his proxy campaign intensified at the end of last year, according to Reuters....

The company's preferred slate consists of Chip Bergh, who led Levi Strauss as CEO, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Unilever's former chief growth and marketing officer, and Teri List, who previously served as Gap's top finance executive — a group Lululemon argued is substantially better suited for the board. None of Wilson's three candidates have served on a public company board, Lululemon said, and their collective experience in the apparel and retail sectors is thin....

Lululemon fired back at founder Chip Wilson on Monday in a shareholder letter, calling his perspectives "outdated" and his conflicts of interest "troubling," and urging investors to reject the three b...

After months of fielding criticism from founder Chip Wilson, Lululemon’s board is clapping back, calling Wilson’s campaign “the latest iteration of his long-standing personal grievances and desire to ...

Wilson in December nominated former On co-CEO Marc Maurer, former ESPN marketing chief Laura Gentile and former Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg to the board. They are up against Lululemon’s board nominees, former Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh, former Unilever growth and marketing chief Esi Eggleston Bracey and current Lululemon board member Teri List. Lululemon said in proxy materials filed Monday that it offered Wilson a settlement last week that would include the election of two of his board nominees after the annual meeting, a third new director by October and other concessions. Wilson replied with a counterproposal, which Lululemon did not accept, that called for more favorable terms and “full expense reimbursement” for his campaign against the company.

May 18 (Reuters) – Lululemon Athletica founder Chip Wilson said on ​Monday he is ‌ready to reach an agreement on the principal terms provided by ‌the ​athleisure maker. The ⁠company tried but ⁠failed...

May 18 (Reuters) – Lululemon Athletica founder Chip Wilson said on ​Monday he is ‌ready to reach an agreement on the principal terms provided by ‌the ​athleisure maker. The ⁠company tried but ⁠failed to settle its bitter proxy fight with Wilson as ​recently as last week, when the ⁠apparel retailer ⁠said its founder ​made escalating demands, according ​to a Monday regulatory ‌filing. “The Board has not provided me with detail on where ⁠our disagreements lie right now, but as of Friday ⁠last ‌week, we ⁠seemed to be ​in ‌full agreement on ​the principal ⁠terms,” Wilson said in a statement....

...The ⁠company tried but ⁠failed to settle its bitter proxy fight with Wilson as ​recently as last week, when the ⁠apparel retailer ⁠said its founder ​made escalating demands, according ​to a Monday regulatory ‌filing. “The Board has not provided me with detail on where ⁠our disagreements lie right now, but as of Friday ⁠last ‌week, we ⁠seemed to be ​in ‌full agreement on ​the principal ⁠terms,” Wilson said in a statement. (Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini ​Ganguli)

...-- Chip Wilson, Founder of lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) ("lululemon" or the "Company") and one of lululemon's largest shareholders, today released the following statement regarding recent settlement discussions with lululemon's Board of Directors (the "Board").

"There is no reason why we cannot reach a resolution to this fight quickly. The Board has not provided me with detail on where our disagreements lie right now, but as of Friday last week, we seemed to be in full agreement on the principal terms. I remain undeterred and willing to be constructive....

..." In a May 13 email copying Marti Morfitt, Chip Bergh proposed on behalf of the Board eight principal terms. Those terms as directly stated by Mr. Bergh are: We (lululemon) choose and appoint two of your nominees to the Board after the AGM. We agree to one additional mutually agreed director between now and October.

Now, Lululemon’s board is fighting back, urging shareholders to approve O’Neill as the new CEO, as well as new board nominees at the upcoming annual meeting set for June 25. Lululemon’s business has struggled over the past two years with declining sales, product misfires, and tariffs....

Lululemon Athletica (LULU) is striking back at founder Chip Wilson, who has been a vocal critic of the Canadian company in recent years. The Vancouver-based athletic wear maker is taking its battle with Wilson public, writing in a letter to shareholders that he has “outdated perspectives” and “troubling conflicts of interest.” The board of directors at Lululemon added that Wilson’s ideas to improve the company will derail its own turnaround plans....

...The board of directors at Lululemon added that Wilson’s ideas to improve the company will derail its own turnaround plans. The shareholder letter is Lululemon’s first public response to Wilson since he launched a proxy battle against the company late last year. Settlement talks between Wilson and Lululemon apparently fell apart last week. In recent months, Wilson has publicly criticized Lululemon’s board of directors, as well as new CEO Heidi O’Neill....

Lululemon Athletica Inc. rejected the overtures of founder Chip Wilson to install new board members, and the company set a shareholder vote for next month. Please sign in to ensure you can read our agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice....

Additionally, the company is facing a class action lawsuit. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) charged its consumers higher prices to cover tariffs, but hasn’t returned that money now that the tariffs have been ruled out. Similarly, the Beaverton, Oregon-based company is also facing similar lawsuits after the US Supreme Court ruled against the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration....

Additionally, the company is facing a class action lawsuit. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) charged its consumers higher prices to cover tariffs, but hasn’t returned that money now that the tariffs have been ruled out....

...Tariffs are squeezing North American margins. And late last month, management said it was cutting about 1,400 jobs, most in the technology group, as part of CEO Elliott Hill's "Win Now" turnaround effort. And the company's most recent guidance pushed the timeline for a return to growth even further out....

Court filings from plaintiffs allege the Greenberg family, which controlled roughly 60% of the company’s voting power, approved the transaction without requiring a separate vote from minority shareholders. When the acquisition was announced in May 2025, Skechers and 3G Capital said the offer represented a 30% premium to the company’s 15-day volume-weighted average share price....

...Appraisal arbitrage activity had declined in Delaware following several court rulings that upheld deal prices or awarded investors less than the acquisition value. However, the strategy has regained traction more recently as hedge funds target large transactions they believe may involve conflicts of interest or flawed sale processes. Investors contesting the Skechers deal have argued that founder Robert Greenberg and his son agreed to sell the company during a period of market disruption triggered by President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements in April 2025. Those measures weighed heavily on Skechers shares given the company’s manufacturing exposure to China and Vietnam.

...Williams-Blair analysts called her an “out-of-left-field” pick, BNP Paribas Equity Research expressed disappointment in the move and even more positive analysts said they weren’t sure if she was the correct choice. Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, perhaps predictably, also spoke out about the appointment. “I genuinely hope that Heidi is the right person for lululemon, but a near 30-year veteran of [Nike] is not the symbol of transformative, creative-first leadership that can instill shareholder confidence in today's world,” Wilson wrote shortly after the announcement.

The company will need to produce compelling products to get back in customers’ good graces — Wilson is sounding the alarm for good reason on that front. But now O’Neill will be doing it at a company actively battling its founder over how to run the business, with many opinions already stacked against her. “I think that's a real danger here, that people have already made up their mind that she's a failure,” Powell said, calling O’Neill “the obvious choice” to run Lululemon....

...O’Neill’s icy reception also may reflect her close ties to the John Donahoe era at Nike, which led to the current yearslong turnaround at the activewear giant. But she was up against tough comparisons from the start, with activist firm Elliott Investment Management in December pushing for Lululemon to hire Ralph Lauren veteran Jane Nielsen as its next CEO, a suggestion many observers applauded.

The commission said it is investigating whether Nike intentionally discriminated against white employees and job applicants, including by disproportionately targeting them for layoffs, and that it needs the information to determine whether Nike violated the law. The probe followed efforts by President Donald Trump and his appointees to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion policies from the government, private sector and higher education....

The EEOC said that the company may have engaged in 'a pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants and training program participants in hiring, promotion, demotion or separation decisions, including selections for layoffs; internship programs; and mentoring, leadership development and other career development programs.' Nike added that the company has had 'extensive, good-faith participation in an EEOC inquiry' into its personnel practices, programs and decisions and further said that they were cooperating with the investigation. 'We have shared thousands of pages of information and detailed written responses to the EEOC's inquiry and are in the process of providing additional information,' the company told the outlet at the time....

...Now, customers are claiming that Nike raised prices of its products by around $2 to $10 to offset the $1 billion the company has claimed was spent in tariffs on imported goods. 'Nike has made no legally binding commitment to return tariff-related overcharges to the consumers who actually paid them,' the complaint obtained by Fox Business said.

...Walkers Tolerated" advertisement at the Boston Marathon this year. Nike faced such backlash that it took the sign down, but it was just one of many bits of poor press the company has experienced in recent years. Nike has also done two rounds of layoffs in 2026 alone, letting go of 14,000 employees in just the first four months of this year. Despite that, the company's margins continue to shrink....

Nike (NYSE: NKE) gets its name from the Greek goddess of victory, but the iconic sportswear brand seems to be on the verge of defeat these days. Glance at the headlines, and you'll hear all about the ongoing Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation into Nike's alleged reverse discriminatory hiring practices stemming from its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Because, in the grand scheme of things, that politically motivated investigation is the least of Nike's problems....

...It eventually apologized and walked the ad back (3). Then, the retailer announced that it was cutting 14,000 employees (4) from its workforce, primarily in its tech department. Nike has now done two rounds of layoffs in 2026. It's also the fourth consecutive year the company has downsized staff (5). Nike has said recent layoffs are about better positioning the company for the current pace of sports and accelerating its growth....

...It eventually apologized and walked the ad back (3). Then, the retailer announced that it was cutting 14,000 employees (4) from its workforce, primarily in its tech department. Nike has now done two rounds of layoffs in 2026....

Over the rest of the month, there was more news out on Nike, but it failed to move the footwear stock. The company's innovation chief, Tony Bignell, said he was leaving the company after less than a year in that position, an apparent setback for its turnaround efforts. Nike also said it would cut 1,400 jobs, most of which are in its technology department, geared toward making structural changes in the company. In a positive sign, a new Kobe collaboration sold out in minutes, showing it still has the ability to drive demand....

While its impressive revenue is one contributing factor that helped lululemon earn its spot on the list—it surpassed $10 billion USD in annual revenue in 2025—the brand’s commitment to social impact and community building cemented its “most influential” title. “Last year, [lululemon’s] Centre for Social Impact hit its goal of connecting 10 million people with mental health and physical activity programming. In September, it announced a successor initiative, Lululemon Gives, which intends to double that number by 2030 through $100 million in grants to organizations ranging from UNICEF to hyperlocal grassroots groups across the globe,” shared Time....

...“Last year, [lululemon’s] Centre for Social Impact hit its goal of connecting 10 million people with mental health and physical activity programming. In September, it announced a successor initiative, Lululemon Gives, which intends to double that number by 2030 through $100 million in grants to organizations ranging from UNICEF to hyperlocal grassroots groups across the globe,” shared Time. “This last year has been volatile for so many people and for so many organizations,” says Anne Wintroub, head of social impact and engagement at lululemon....

"We've seen a mid-double-digit decline in our inventory levels at selected (U.S.) wholesale partners," CEO Arthur Hoeld told journalists on a call, reaffirming Puma's target to normalise stock levels by end of 2026. The results provide an early sign of progress for Hoeld, who took the helm last July. Puma, which has cut jobs and reshuffled managerial roles in a quest to reduce complexity, also announced it appointed former Hugo Boss CEO and Douglas CFO Mark Langer as its chief financial officer, effective from tomorrow. In March, a filing showed billionaire Mike Ashley's Frasers had become the second-largest shareholder in the sportswear brand after China's Anta Sports Products, which had earlieragreed to buy a 29% stake in Puma....

...Puma, which has cut jobs and reshuffled managerial roles in a quest to reduce complexity, also announced it appointed former Hugo Boss CEO and Douglas CFO Mark Langer as its chief financial officer, effective from tomorrow. In March, a filing showed billionaire Mike Ashley's Frasers had become the second-largest shareholder in the sportswear brand after China's Anta Sports Products, which had earlieragreed to buy a 29% stake in Puma. Frasers has in the past used its minority shareholdings in companies as leverage to push for strategic changes.

...Puma, which has cut jobs and reshuffled managerial roles in a quest to reduce complexity, also announced it appointed former Hugo Boss CEO and Douglas CFO Mark Langer as its chief financial officer, effective from tomorrow. In March, a filing showed billionaire Mike Ashley's Frasers had become the second-largest shareholder in the sportswear brand after China's Anta Sports Products, which had earlieragreed to buy a 29% stake in Puma. Frasers has in the past used its minority shareholdings in companies as leverage to push for strategic changes.

...“I have met with workers just like me across Asia. I have met allies in unions in the U.S. Nike refusing to bargain with us just makes us more determined, because we cannot keep living like this.” The same goes for Claire Reneau, who teaches French in the Beaverton School District, “right in the shadow of Nike’s pristine, guarded headquarters.”...

...An AFWA survey of more than 2,000 workers found they lost an average of three months’ pay in 2020, leaving many who were already on the brink unable to afford food or rent without falling further into debt. Instead of compensating workers or investing in safety and productivity programs, the complaint said, Nike pursued buyback schemes to inflate its stock price. “It was a terrible crisis for the workers who make the world’s clothing,” she said....

Nike has made reparations before, most notably in 2025 when it helped broker $200,000 in back wages to more than 3,300 workers at Thailand’s Hong Seng Knitting who said they were coerced into unpaid leave during the 2020 pandemic. But this came only after five years of pressure and covered just one-third of the $600,000 the Worker Rights Consortium, a Washington-based watchdog, calculated workers were actually owed. At the same time, the contrast between the total cost of global remediation and Nike’s advertising budget is “really striking,” said Sahiba Gill, deputy legal director at GLJ....

A company spokesperson said: “Lululemon has a highly experienced Board that is well-equipped to provide effective guidance on the company’s direction, Lululemon’s leadership and the right composition ...

Updated 3:03 p.m. ET April 29 Chip Wilson — founder, largest shareholder and chief agitator for change at Lululemon Athletica Inc. — continues to be unswayed by the company’s efforts to reset managem...

“Several years ago, the company began making decisions that would, seemingly intentionally, unwind this premium position through ‘brand harvesting,’” he said. “These types of decisions can create a ‘s...

...This new cycle is also part of a sustainability initiative. DECATHLON and the LFP share a common ambition: to design more durable balls and limit their replacement. Through this approach, DECATHLON addresses environmental challenges without compromising on performance.

...DECATHLON and the LFP share a common ambition: to design more durable balls and limit their replacement. Through this approach, DECATHLON addresses environmental challenges without compromising on performance.

...DECATHLON is thus continuing the development of official balls for Ligue 1 McDonald’s and Ligue 2 BKT, by applying the expertise of professional players to the service of all footballers. DECATHLON ensures that every player has equipment at the peak of innovation, with no compromise on price. This new cycle is also part of a sustainability initiative. DECATHLON and the LFP share a common ambition: to design more durable balls and limit their replacement....

..."The Air Lab initiative advances an ambitious and unique vision, proposing that design and production can leave a tangible legacy for the city of Milan and for the community of designers and architects connected to it," said Caputo. "The lab will be operated by Dropcity as a civic facility, accessible to the public," he added.

"This initiative represents a concrete and forward-looking commitment. One that establishes a new model of collaboration between companies and research centres like Dropcity, generating meaningful social impact on both local and international levels. " The exhibition presented various interpretations of air as a design medium, such as forming (air as shape), deforming (air as transformation), pumping (air as expansion), suction (air as void) and blasting (air as force). Nearly 100 prototypes offered visitors an insight into the evolution of product innovations, including Air Liquid Max, FlyWeb, Radical AirFlow and Therma-FIT Air Milano....

"Few places mean more to the global design community than Milan," Nike chief design officer Martin Lotti told Dezeen. "It brings us together and we wanted to give something back that would endure." "The Air Lab becoming a permanent part of Dropcity reflects our commitment to ongoing experimentation, learning and innovation, long after design week ends....

...“Nike has got in trouble with not being innovative enough,” Jaeger said, pointing to “leadership failure” by the U.S. company’s former CEO John Donahoe. CEO Elliott Hill, who took the helm in 2024, has vowed to re-centre the brand on core sports like running and soccer, but margins have continued to suffer, leading to a drop in the company’s market capitalization and job cuts. Nike’s Breaking2 attempt at Monza in 2017 just fell short though Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge ran under two hours in INEOS’...

A new notice just submitted to the state of Missouri says that Nike plans to cut their workforce substantially in the state with hundreds losing their jobs in the next couple months. The Missouri Jobs site posted a bulletin today that says Nike is laying off 172 workers from their St. Charles, Missouri facility. The WARN notice submitted by Nike explained what's happening and when: "This is to advise you that employees working at the manufacturing facility that NIKE IHM, Inc. (dba AirMI) operates at 8 Research Park Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63304 (the “AM93 Facility”) will be notified that AirMI will permanently reduce its number of employees effective June 26, 2026....

...The Missouri Jobs site posted a bulletin today that says Nike is laying off 172 workers from their St. Charles, Missouri facility. The WARN notice submitted by Nike explained what's happening and when: "This is to advise you that employees working at the manufacturing facility that NIKE IHM, Inc. (dba AirMI) operates at 8 Research Park Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63304 (the “AM93 Facility”) will be notified that AirMI will permanently reduce its number of employees effective June 26, 2026. The number of employees affected is 172." The notice goes on to say that none of the workers being laid off are represented by a union and none have bumping rights to other facilities....

“Nike has got in trouble with not being innovative enough,” Jaeger said, pointing to “leadership failure” by the US company’s former CEO John Donahoe. CEO Elliott Hill, who took the helm in 2024, has vowed to re-centre the brand on core sports like running and soccer, but margins have continued to suffer, leading to a drop in the company’s market capitalization and job cuts. Nike’s Breaking2 attempt at Monza in 2017 just fell short though Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge ran under two hours in 1:59 Challenge two years later....

ST CHARLES, Mo. — Nike Inc. plans to permanently lay off 172 workers at its Air Manufacturing Innovation facility in St. Charles County this summer, according to a state filing. The Beaverton, Oregon-based athletic apparel giant (NYSE: NKE) said in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter dated April 23 that the cuts will take effect June 26 at its facility at 8 Research Park Drive....

...The affected employees work at the site operated by NIKE IHM Inc., doing business as AirMI. The company, which also owns the facility, said the layoffs are permanent, employees do not have bumping rights and none are represented by a union. The filing includes a wide range of impacted roles, from production and machine operators to engineers, technicians and management positions, according to lists of affected jobs included in the notice. Nike officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment....

In a memo detailing the changes, Nike’s chief operating officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the company was creating a “leaner, faster, more connected technology organisation”. The changes will result in a loss of 1,400 roles, the majority of which are in Nike’s technology team. “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....

...The changes are said to part of a wider turnaround plan at the sportswear giant, which follows a slump in profit. In December, Nike reported a 32% fall in net profit following sluggish sales, particularly in Greater China and Asia. This is the second time Nike has announced job cuts in 2026. In January, the company was reportedly planning to cut 800 roles from distribution centres in Tennessee and Mississippi....

“Lululemon needs a turnaround CEO and not a growth CEO,” BNP Paribas analyst Laurent Vasilescu wrote. Founder Chip Wilson Wants More Than a New Face Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who owns about 4.3% of the company and says the brand has lost its “cool” factor, continues pushing for a complete board overhaul. According to Reuters, Wilson believes new directors should have been installed before hiring a CEO....

...Management knows margins need protection. The board knows investors want change. What remains unclear is whether Heidi O’Neill can deliver a turnaround when her previous employer struggled with nearly identical challenges throughout her tenure....

...Founder Chip Wilson Wants More Than a New Face Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who owns about 4.3% of the company and says the brand has lost its “cool” factor, continues pushing for a complete board overhaul. According to Reuters, Wilson believes new directors should have been installed before hiring a CEO. The appointment ends a months-long search triggered when activist investor Elliott Investment Management pushed for change at the top. Former CEO Calvin McDonald left at the end of January after nearly eight years in the role.

Nike has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, laying off approximately 1,400 employees. This decision affects the company’s Global Operations team and primarily targets its technology division across North America, Europe, and Asia....

...Alagirisamy noted that the changes are not a new direction but a continuation of ongoing efforts to simplify processes. This follows earlier reductions in the workforce, including 775 layoffs in January related to automation at distribution centers and another plan to cut over 1,600 jobs in February.

Nike said Thursday that it is laying off about 1,400 global operations employees in an effort to streamline workflows as the struggling sportswear company fights through a yearslong sales slump. In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would reduce headcount mainly in North America and Europe, and mainly on its technology team....

...In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would reduce headcount mainly in North America and Europe, and mainly on its technology team. The layoffs account for a little less than 2 percent of Nike's global workforce. Nike shares have lost more than half their value in the last three years, as nimbler competitors such as On, Hoka and Anta have won more shelf space....

Wilson has been waging a proxy fight to install three of his own director candidates and has vocally argued that a board overhaul should have preceded the CEO selection. His lack of support for any leader chosen by the current governance team creates an additional cloud of uncertainty that historically causes investors to discount LULU stock further....

Wilson has been waging a proxy fight to install three of his own director candidates and has vocally argued that a board overhaul should have preceded the CEO selection. His lack of support for any leader chosen by the current governance team creates an additional cloud of uncertainty that historically causes investors to discount LULU stock further....

(CNN)– Some Nike employees will soon be walking out the door for good. The largest sportswear company in the world announced it will be cutting roughly 1400 positions from its operation division. Most of the layoffs will be workers in the technology department, according to officials....

(CNN)– Some Nike employees will soon be walking out the door for good. The largest sportswear company in the world announced it will be cutting roughly 1400 positions from its operation division. Most of the layoffs will be workers in the technology department, according to officials. Nike’s CEO released a statement to employees saying the move will help the company run with “more speed, simplicity and precision.”...

BEAVERTON Ore. (KPTV) - Nike announced on Thursday that it will be laying off about 1,400 people from their Global Operations department, the majority in technology. People working in North America, Asia, and Europe will be impacted, the company said....

...People working in North America, Asia, and Europe will be impacted, the company said. Those will include positions at the world headquarters in Beaverton. Nike leadership says the move is part of the final stretch of their “Win Now” plan....

Nike NKE.N said on Thursday it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations - mainly technology - in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2% of the global workforce. It is the latest in a string of job cuts at Nike, most recently the axing in January of 775 roles in a bid to speed up automation. Shares edged up about 0.5% in after-hours trading....

Nike NKE.N said on Thursday it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations - mainly technology - in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2% of the global workforce....

Nike NKE.N said on Thursday it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations - mainly technology - in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2% of the global workforce. It is the latest in a string of job cuts at Nike, most recently the axing in January of 775 roles in a bid to speed up automation....

...It’s also faced increased criticism from shareholders, including estranged founder Chip Wilson and activist investor Elliott Management. Since Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald announced he was stepping down in December, the shareholders have been lobbying for their own CEO and board member picks, claiming Lululemon needs to better address its lower share price and many competitors. Wilson and Elliott Management have yet to comment on O’Neill’s appointment.

...Story continues below advertisement While the company remains one of the world’s most prominent athleisure brands, it’s lost some of its lustre in recent years. Competitors like Alo and Vuori have stolen away customers, shoppers have signalled Lululemon’s product lines have a lack of newness and markdowns have become more common at the brand. It’s also faced increased criticism from shareholders, including estranged founder Chip Wilson and activist investor Elliott Management. Since Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald announced he was stepping down in December, the shareholders have been lobbying for their own CEO and board member picks, claiming Lululemon needs to better address its lower share price and many competitors....

Sportswear giant Nike is set to lay off around 1,400 employees globally, with the bulk of the job cuts expected to impact its technology division. The move is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at improving efficiency and reviving growth amid slowing sales....

While the layoffs account for less than 2 per cent of Nike’s global workforce, they reflect a larger shift in how the company is adapting to a fast-evolving retail landscape driven by automation and digital tools. Automation and slowing sales drive cuts These cutbacks come after other layoffs that have happened throughout the year, involving lay-offs from the distribution centers where Nike has automated the logistics and fulfillment processes. The company has also announced declining revenues in recent quarters, suggesting possible future declines in revenues, especially in vital markets like China....

In a memo to employees, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the cuts will primarily affect Nike’s technology division and span North America, Asia, and Europe, representing just under 2% of the company’s global workforce. "This is not a new direction," Alagirisamy wrote....

In a memo to employees, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the cuts will primarily affect Nike’s technology division and span North America, Asia, and Europe, representing just under 2% of the company’s global workforce. "This is not a new direction," Alagirisamy wrote....

COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the reorganisation of teams and workflows is to simplify operations, improve speed, and better support athletes and business needs. NIKE is set to reduce around 1,400 roles as part of changes to its Global Operations, according to a note shared with employees by Venkatesh Alagirisamy, EVP, Chief Operating Officer. The move comes as the company enters the final phase of its "Win Now" action plan, which focuses on strengthening its foundation, sharpening competitiveness, and building a model for long-term profitable growth....

...Overall, the changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles within Global Operations, with the majority of roles affected in the Technology function. "These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too. "Part of doing the right thing is being direct....

Nike is carrying out another major round of layoffs, the second one this year. This time, about 1,400 jobs will be cut, mainly in the technology departments in North America, Europe, and Asia....

Nike is carrying out another major round of layoffs, the second one this year. This time, about 1,400 jobs will be cut, mainly in the technology departments in North America, Europe, and Asia. Focus on supply chain and technology

Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in Global Operations, with the majority in Technology. These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too....

Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in Global Operations, with the majority in Technology. These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too. Part of doing the right thing is being direct. Another part is making sure people are treated with care....

...The strategy, introduced under CEO Elliott Hill, will reshape the company's tech team, modernise its Air Manufacturing, move Converse Footwear Manufacturing and Engineering resources close to factory partners, and position materials work closer to its Footwear and Apparel Supply Chain teams. "Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in Global Operations, with the majority in Technology," Alagirisamy said in the announcement. "These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too."

..."Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in Global Operations, with the majority in Technology," Alagirisamy said in the announcement. "These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too."

...Since Elliott Hill returned to lead the company in late 2024, the group has stepped up adjustments to restore more profitable growth. In January, Nike had already announced 775 job cuts at its US distribution centers as part of an automation ramp-up. Reuters noted at the time that the group employed 77,800 people as of late May 2025.

On Thursday the sportswear giant announced the deletion of about 1,400 roles across its global operations, with a heavy concentration in technology, representing a bit under 2% of its total workforce. Management framed the move as a further step in the "Win Now" initiative, aimed at simplifying the organizational structure, modernizing industrial tools, reorganizing certain Converse operations and better integrating materials and supply chain functions....

On Wednesday, Lululemon announced that industry veteran Heidi O’Neill will become its next CEO in September. O’Neill has built a strong retail résumé, most recently as Nike’s president of consumer, product, and brand....

...Meanwhile, other analysts, including those at Needham and Evercore ISI, attributed the stock dip to investors hoping for a different choice of executive. Elliott Investment Management, which holds a roughly $1 billion stake in Lululemon, has been pushing for the appointment of another retail veteran, Jane Nielsen, rather than O’Neill.

Nike has cut 1,400 more jobs in its second major round of layoffs this year as the sportswear company looks to simplify its operations. Most of the layoffs will be from Nike’s technology team, according to a company memo made public Thursday....

In January, Nike announced plans to lay off nearly 800 employees at its distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi. "We are sharpening our supply chain footprint, accelerating the use of advanced technology and automation, and investing in the skills our teams need for the future," Nike said in a statement to Business Insider at the time....

...Jump to content Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in Swipe for next article Nike confirms further job cuts in major turnaround plan Rachel Dobkin Friday 24 April 2026 06:45 BST Nike has announced a further 1,400 job cuts, marking its second major round of layoffs this year. The majority of these redundancies will impact Nike's technology team, with workers affected across North America, Europe, and Asia....

...Jump to content Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in Swipe for next article Nike confirms further job cuts in major turnaround plan Rachel Dobkin Friday 24 April 2026 06:45 BST Nike has announced a further 1,400 job cuts, marking its second major round of layoffs this year. The majority of these redundancies will impact Nike's technology team, with workers affected across North America, Europe, and Asia. The sportswear giant stated the cuts are part of its 'Win Now' action plan, aimed at simplifying operations and improving responsiveness....

...The sportswear giant stated the cuts are part of its 'Win Now' action plan, aimed at simplifying operations and improving responsiveness. This move follows a significant 10 per cent drop in Nike's revenue for its 2025 fiscal year compared to the previous year. Earlier in January, Nike had already laid off nearly 800 employees at its distribution centres in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Nike said it is laying off about 1,400 people, as the sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. Nike to cut 1,400 jobs Big picture view: In a memo to employees on Thursday, ‌Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations, with the majority in technology, in North America, Asia and Europe....

...Nike announced job cuts earlier this year The backstory: Nike had said in a March SEC filing ​that headcount adjustments ⁠could be coming. Earlier this year, the company said it was planning to cut nearly 800 jobs amid an automation push at the footwear and apparel giant's distribution centers. This primarily impacted jobs at the retailer's distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi as the company looked to automate more of its supply chain....

..."Collectively, these changes will result in a reduction of approximately 1,400 roles in Global Operations, with the majority in Technology. These reductions are very hard for the teammates directly affected and for the teams around them, too. " He added: "To teammates whose roles are impacted, thank you. Your contributions have helped build this company, and we are grateful for the work, commitment, and care you have brought to Nike.

Nike Inc. is proceeding with another round of layoffs, targeting approximately 1,400 positions within its operations and technology sectors. This decision comes as part of the company’s ongoing restructuring strategy, referred to as the “Win Now” turnaround plan....

...The announcement was made by Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy through an internal memo. Nike’s Layoff Details The 1,400 job reductions will take place across several regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Despite the significant number of layoffs, this figure represents less than 2% of Nike’s global workforce....

Struggling Nike will cut around 1,400 jobs in efficiency push Chief Operating ​Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would reduce headcount mainly in North America and Europe, and mainly on its technology team. Last Updated : 24 April 2026, 08:48 IST ADVERTISEMENT Follow Us :

Struggling Nike will cut around 1,400 jobs in efficiency push Chief Operating ​Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would reduce headcount mainly in North America and Europe, and mainly on its technology team. Last Updated : 24 April 2026, 08:48 IST ADVERTISEMENT Follow Us :

- Nike said on April 23 it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees, chief operating officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations – mainly technology – in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2 per cent of its global workforce....

- Nike said on April 23 it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees, chief operating officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations – mainly technology – in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2 per cent of its global workforce. It is the latest in a string of job cuts at Nike, most recently the axing in January of 775 roles in a bid to speed up automation. Nike shares edged up about 0.5 per cent in after-hours trading after the announcement....

Nike NKE-N said on Thursday it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations – mainly technology – in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2 per cent of the global work force. It is the latest in a string of job cuts at Nike, most recently the axing in January of 775 roles in a bid to speed up automation....

Nike NKE-N said on Thursday it is laying off about 1,400 people to streamline workflows, as the struggling sportswear company fights through a years-long sales slump. In a memo to employees on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said Nike would cut jobs in global operations – mainly technology – in North America, Asia and Europe, accounting for a little less than 2 per cent of the global work force....

Nike is benching some of its employees. The sportswear giant said Thursday that it is cutting about 1,400 roles in its global operations division, mainly in technology. Venkatesh Alagirisamy, who became chief operating officer in December, announced the reductions in a memo to staff detailing several changes "in the coming weeks....

..." Alagirisamy wrote that the company is in the "final stretch" of the turnaround plan, dubbed its "win now" actions, which focuses on five key areas: culture, product, marketing, marketplace, and in-person presence. The changes include modernizing manufacturing, reallocating resources, and reshaping Nike's tech team, according to the memo. The cuts mark Nike's second round of cuts in 2026, following the elimination of 775 distribution center jobs. CEO Elliott Hill told analysts in a March earnings call that the turnaround plan is taking "longer than I would like." Read the full memo below:

by Sarah Mahoney , 63 minutes ago Lululemon has finally found its next CEO, announcing that Heidi O'Neill -- who began her career at Foote, Cone & Belding before spending 26 years at Nike -- will take over the role in September. The job, which includes a move to Lululemon's hometown of Vancouver, also involves a major leap into troubled waters: Chip Wilson, the brand's founder, is a problem that won't go away. Not only is his vocal unhappiness with the company's performance widely seen as part of the reason the board decided to replace former CEO Calvin McDonald in December, but he continues to agitate for a board shakeup....

...Not only is his vocal unhappiness with the company's performance widely seen as part of the reason the board decided to replace former CEO Calvin McDonald in December, but he continues to agitate for a board shakeup. And Elliott Investment Management, an activist firm with more than $1 billion in Lululemon, had been pushing for the appointment of Jane Nielsen, former chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Ralph Lauren, according to the Wall Street Journal. advertisement advertisement

..."O'Neill's hiring comes at a critical time as competition (especially in North America), U.S. tariffs, and merchandising issues have brought lower sales growth and margins," writes David Swartz, an analyst who follows the company for Morningstar, adding that O'Neill will bring "significant relevant sportswear experience. " But he also notes that the hiring is unlikely to smooth things over with Chip Wilson and Elliott Investment Management, noting that Wilson's proxy fight to gain three board seats for his nominees is ongoing.

...The investors also praised strong international sales numbers and innovative products like stretchier pants, noting that the signs of improvement are becoming visible. But Lululemon faces Wilson’s proxy fight, where he wants investors to vote in three new directors to the company’s 10-member board. Lululemon last month appointed Chip Bergh, former CEO of Levi Strauss, to join the board....

...Parallels with Nike But investors also noted her tenure at Nike coincided with years of slowing demand, brand fatigue and execution missteps - challenges that Lululemon also faces. Her appointment ends a months-long search for a CEO after activist investor Elliott Investment Management pushed for change at the top and as Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who says the brand has lost its “cool” factor, is pressing to install new directors in a board fight. Former CEO Calvin McDonald left at the end of January after nearly eight years in the role.

Elliott declined to comment on O'Neill's appointment. Wilson, who owns about 4.3% of the company, continues to believe a board overhaul should have come before the CEO's hiring, a source familiar with the founder's thinking told Reuters. O'Neill will not be on the ballot when investors vote at the annual meeting, which is expected to be in June, because her start date is not scheduled until September 8....

...The investors also praised strong international sales numbers and innovative products like stretchier pants, noting that the signs of improvement are becoming visible. But Lululemon faces Wilson's proxy fight, where he wants investors to vote in three new directors to the company's 10-member board. Lululemon last month appointed Chip Bergh, former CEO of Levi Strauss, to join the board.

He has argued that the company’s leadership needs to be overhauled while Elliott Investment Management took a $1 billion stake in the company last year and pushed for former Ralph Lauren executive Jane Nielsen to become CEO. Nielsen “would have been the right pick,” Vasilescu wrote....

...“We are disappointed with the announcement and investors are, too, as the shares are down,” BNP Paribas analyst Laurent Vasilescu wrote in a research note. “Lululemon needs a turnaround CEO and not a growth CEO.” Lululemon has been under pressure for more than a year, with two proxy fights raging as the company’s weak financial performance has become a flash point. Its founder and former chief executive, Chip Wilson, has been vocal about the board’s responsibility in the company’s woes.

...Lululemon has been under pressure for more than a year, with two proxy fights raging as the company’s weak financial performance has become a flash point. Its founder and former chief executive, Chip Wilson, has been vocal about the board’s responsibility in the company’s woes.

Nike’s stock hit a more than decade-low earlier this month after CEO Elliott Hill warned of a sharp sales drop and continued weakness in China, frustrating analysts and investors keen on a revival in the storied sportswear giant’s fortunes. Lululemon has also dealt with product recalls for some of its pricey leggings in the recent past and has tried to balance inventory levels as it deals with intensifying competition from upstart brands such as Alo Yoga and Vuori in the U.S. Chip Wilson, who owns about 4.3 per cent of the company, continues to believe that a board overhaul should have come before the CEO’s election, a source familiar with the founder’s thinking told Reuters. Wilson has been waging a proxy fight to install his three director-candidates and had said earlier this year that any CEO candidate picked by the current board would have his support....

Nike’s stock hit a more than decade-low earlier this month after CEO Elliott Hill warned of a sharp sales drop and continued weakness in China, frustrating analysts and investors keen on a revival in the storied sportswear giant’s fortunes. Lululemon has also dealt with product recalls for some of its pricey leggings in the recent past and has tried to balance inventory levels as it deals with intensifying competition from upstart brands such as Alo Yoga and Vuori in the U.S. Chip Wilson, who owns about 4.3 per cent of the company, continues to believe that a board overhaul should have come before the CEO’s election, a source familiar with the founder’s thinking told Reuters. Wilson has been waging a proxy fight to install his three director-candidates and had said earlier this year that any CEO candidate picked by the current board would have his support. Elliott did not respond to Reuters request for comment....

...The board expressed confidence in O'Neill's ability to drive growth and innovation within the company. Governance Pressure And Strategic Disconnect In March, founder Chip Wilson publicly pressed the athletic apparel retailer's leadership for greater accountability. Wilson, one of the company's largest shareholders, argued that Lululemon continues to face a longstanding issue — a disconnect between its creative engine and the board's understanding of brand-building fundamentals....

...However, the company's outlook for fiscal 2026 projected earnings between $12.10 and $12.30 per share, which is below the analyst estimate of $12.67, and revenue expectations of $11.35 billion to $11.5 billion also fell short of the $11.53 billion estimate. The Wall Street Journal said O'Neill's mandate includes reviving Lululemon's U.S. business, where the brand has ceded some dominance in athletic apparel. By mid-December, Elliott Investment Management had accumulated a stake exceeding $1 billion and advocated for Jane Nielsen, former CFO and COO at Ralph Lauren, to become CEO, according to the report.

...The board expressed confidence in O'Neill's ability to drive growth and innovation within the company. Governance Pressure And Strategic Disconnect In March, founder Chip Wilson publicly pressed the athletic apparel retailer's leadership for greater accountability. Wilson, one of the company's largest shareholders, argued that Lululemon continues to face a longstanding issue — a disconnect between its creative engine and the board's understanding of brand-building fundamentals. Earnings Beat Overshadowed By Soft Outlook

"Ms O'Neill may bring much-needed product experience to ​drive a brand reset. But for now, the core ​issues remain: ⁠an ongoing proxy fight that adds uncertainty and sky-high productivity that remains far from bottoming," according to Jefferies analysts. O'Neill, who left Nike in September, played a key ⁠role ​in resetting the brand, cutting product development timelines ​and getting products to market faster, Lululemon said in a statement....

..."Skeptics will likely focus on the negative results at the Nike DTC business that ​O'Neill was running most recently at the end of her Nike tenure," ​analysts at Evercore said. Elliott, which has a roughly $1 billion stake in Lululemon, has been pushing ‌for ⁠the appointment of a new CEO, compounding scrutiny from Wilson, who owns about 4.3% of the company. Wilson has previously said the brand has lost its "cool" factor and is waging a proxy fight to install his three director candidates ​at the annual meeting ​later this ⁠year. Wilson and Elliott did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

O'Neill's arrival follows a noisy campaign by founder Chip Wilson, who has criticized the company's performance and pushed unsuccessfully for his own slate of board nominees. Lululemon instead recently added former Levi Strauss chief Chip Bergh....

O'Neill's arrival follows a noisy campaign by founder Chip Wilson, who has criticized the company's performance and pushed unsuccessfully for his own slate of board nominees. Lululemon instead recently added former Levi Strauss chief Chip Bergh. Analyst Neil Saunders called O'Neill a "safe and traditional" pick but also an "obvious choice," given her activewear pedigree and board experience at Spotify and Hyatt....

...Walkers. All welcome.” Nike apologized for the advertisement, stating it “missed the mark” in a statement provided to Runner’s World. By Marathon Monday, the message was replaced with, “Boston will always remind you, movement is what matters.” BU medical student Grace Johnson, a student leader in Boston University’s Disability Advocacy Group — whose mission is to integrate disability justice into BU’s medical curriculum — urged brands like Nike to increase the inclusion of disabled individuals and experts in decision-making processes to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

...“We’ve had actual victims that are now amputees coming back, circling back and run-walking it,” Davidson said. “You alienated a big crowd, and you alienated your elite paras that are rolling to the distance.” Davidson said the advertisement reminded him of the discrimination and lack of inclusivity disabled people face throughout their lives. “We got a multibillion dollar company just trashing us because we don’t run to their standards,” he said....

...“We’ve had actual victims that are now amputees coming back, circling back and run-walking it,” Davidson said. “You alienated a big crowd, and you alienated your elite paras that are rolling to the distance.” Davidson said the advertisement reminded him of the discrimination and lack of inclusivity disabled people face throughout their lives....

Synopsis Lululemon has taken a decisive step by naming Heidi O'Neill, an ex-Nike leader, as the brand's new chief executive. This transition follows mounting pressures from both its founder and an activist investor during a turbulent time marked by a drop in stock value and dwindling sales.

Synopsis Lululemon has taken a decisive step by naming Heidi O'Neill, an ex-Nike leader, as the brand's new chief executive. This transition follows mounting pressures from both its founder and an activist investor during a turbulent time marked by a drop in stock value and dwindling sales.

Elliott Investment Management has built a stake of more than $1 billion in the company. Jane Nielsen, a former Ralph Lauren Corp. executive, was Elliott’s preferred candidate for Lululemon’s top job. Lululemon’s founder, Chip Wilson, who no longer has a formal role with the company but is one of its biggest shareholders, has also publicly criticized the company and pushed for changes on its board.

Elliott Investment Management has built a stake of more than $1 billion in the company. Jane Nielsen, a former Ralph Lauren Corp. executive, was Elliott’s preferred candidate for Lululemon’s top job. ...

The chair stressed that Lululemon conducted “an extensive search” for the retailer’s next CEO; the search was a hotly contested topic in recent months. Elliott Investment Management in December acquired a more than $1 billion stake in the athleisure brand and pushed the retailer to name Ralph Lauren veteran Jane Nielsen as its next CEO. Wilson also weighed in with his own thoughts on the requirements for a new CEO....

The chair stressed that Lululemon conducted “an extensive search” for the retailer’s next CEO; the search was a hotly contested topic in recent months. Elliott Investment Management in December acquired a more than $1 billion stake in the athleisure brand and pushed the retailer to name Ralph Lauren veteran Jane Nielsen as its next CEO....

Elliott's calls compounded problems for a board already facing pressure from Lululemon founder and former chief executive Chip Wilson. Wilson, who owns roughly 4.3% of the company and criticized management for having lost the brand's "cool" factor, is waging a board fight where he hopes investors will install his three director candidates at the annual meeting later this year....

Elliott's calls compounded problems for a board already facing pressure from Lululemon founder and former chief executive Chip Wilson. Wilson, who owns roughly 4.3% of the company and criticized management for having lost the brand's "cool" factor, is waging a board fight where he hopes investors will install his three director candidates at the annual meeting later this year. Last month Wilson said "Until meaningful change in the boardroom has taken place, success for the new CEO could be a perpetual struggle."...

...Wilson, who owns roughly 4.3% of the company and criticized management for having lost the brand's "cool" factor, is waging a board fight where he hopes investors will install his three director candidates at the annual meeting later this year. Last month Wilson said "Until meaningful change in the boardroom has taken place, success for the new CEO could be a perpetual struggle." The company last month appointed Chip Bergh, a former president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co to join Lululemon's 10-person board.

And Lululemon founder Chip Wilson – no longer a member of the board, but still a major shareholder – has been vocal about his displeasure with the direction of the company he created, accusing the board of “complacency” and saying that the brand has “lost its edge.” Mr. Wilson advocated for the appointment of new board members to lead the CEO search, and saying that the board needed to add people with more brand and product experience. Ms. O’Neill received unanimous support from Lululemon’s board, according to a company press release issued on Wednesday....

And Lululemon founder Chip Wilson – no longer a member of the board, but still a major shareholder – has been vocal about his displeasure with the direction of the company he created, accusing the board of “complacency” and saying that the brand has “lost its edge.” Mr. Wilson advocated for the appointment of new board members to lead the CEO search, and saying that the board needed to add people with more brand and product experience....

..."During race week in Boston, we put up a series of signs to encourage runners. One of them missed the mark," the company said. "We took it down, and we’ll use this moment to do better and continue showing up for all runners. " SEAFOOD RESTAURANT FIRES BACK AT ANTI-AMERICAN HUFFPOST OLYMPICS ARTICLE The controversy quickly spilled into the news cycle and became a flashpoint on Monday’s episode of "Gutfeld!," where panelists dismissed the backlash and criticized Nike for backing down....

...Walkers tolerated." drew criticism online for allegedly "pace-shaming" slower participants and those with disabilities. "This is not OK. We should be building a more inclusive community, not isolating and belittling people that are a part of it," running coach Amy Gougler said in a TikTok post. "As a run-walk runner, this is offensive," she added....

The sportswear giant responded to the backlash by emphasizing inclusivity, saying it wants more people to "feel welcome in running," regardless of "pace, experience or the distance." "During race wee...

...The ad read, “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.” The offended parties claim the ad mocked not just those who choose to walk, but also those who walk because of some physical ailment or disability. A strong backlash to the ad online led the sportswear giant to pull it from its flagship store on Newbury Street in Boston....

...Walkers tolerated.” The offended parties claim the ad mocked not just those who choose to walk, but also those who walk because of some physical ailment or disability. A strong backlash to the ad online led the sportswear giant to pull it from its flagship store on Newbury Street in Boston. Nike’s new ad reads, “Boston will always remind you, movement is what matters.”...

Lindsay Gregg, the former head of women’s basketball sport marketing at Adidas America Inc., on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against her former employer. The suit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon on Wednesday, alleged violations of gender discrimination under Oregon law, and that the sports firm also violated state laws that prohibit whistleblower retaliation. More from WWD Anne Hathaway Trades Press Tour Heels for Zebra Print Adidas Tokyo Sneakers in New York Short Takes:...

...Gregg said she had raised concerns internally to senior leadership and human resources, both about the alleged disparities and about the February 2026 incident and alleged treatment of female athletes. Gregg said that a few days after reporting on the February incident she was fired from her job due to a “business decision.”

...But she also alleged that the company denied her the resources and staffing along with other support that she alleged was given to her male counterparts. The lawsuit details a February 2026 incident where she said two Adidas-sponsored WNBA players were placed in an unsafe and inappropriate situation when unauthorized individuals were allowed into a private player space. Gregg said she had raised concerns internally to senior leadership and human resources, both about the alleged disparities and about the February 2026 incident and alleged treatment of female athletes....

...Walkers tolerated” from one of its stores in Boston. The sign was put up in the US sportswear giant’s Newbury Street store over a week ago and was taken down on April 16, according to reports. The sign, part of an advertisement for the April 20 Boston Marathon, was met with massive backlash from runners and netizens for its dismissive and discriminatory connotations. Nike confirmed the removal of the sign in a statement to Boston radio station GBH News....

...During race week in Boston, we put up a series of signs to encourage runners,” said the statement, as reported by GBH News. “One of them missed the mark. We took it down, and we’ll use this moment to do better and continue showing up for all runners.”

...“Gregg did exactly what the law encourages — she spoke up about inequity and safety. Firing her for doing so is not just wrong, it is unlawful.” Nike, meanwhile, is set to go to trial this summer for allegations in a sex discrimination lawsuit that has been unfolding for the past seven years.

Lindsay Gregg, the former head of women’s basketball sport marketing at Adidas America Inc., on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against her former employer. The suit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon on Wednesday, alleged violations of gender discrimination under Oregon law, and that the sports firm also violated state laws that prohibit whistleblower retaliation. The court docket on Friday showed that hasn’t yet been served....

But she also alleged that the company denied her the resources and staffing along with other support that she alleged was given to her male counterparts. The lawsuit details a February 2026 incident where she said two Adidas-sponsored WNBA players were placed in an unsafe and inappropriate situation when unauthorized individuals were allowed into a private player space. Gregg said she had raised concerns internally to senior leadership and human resources, both about the alleged disparities and about the February 2026 incident and alleged treatment of female athletes....

Some local runners and disability advocates argued that the sign was belittling to people who finish the race at their own pace, according to their body’s ability, and goes against the inclusive mission of the marathon. Nicole Homerin, who lives in Watertown, will be running her ninth marathon on Monday....

...During race week in Boston, we put up a series of signs to encourage runners. One of them missed the mark. We took it down, and we’ll use this moment to do better and continue showing up for all runners,” the statement said. GBH News confirmed the sign was installed a little over a week ago....

A former executive at Adidas is suing the sportswear manufacturer, claiming she was given twice as much work as her male co-workers. Lindsay Gregg, who was the head of women's basketball sports marketing, filed a lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, according to a complaint obtained by the Athletic. Gregg accused Adidas of terminating her after she reported gender discrimination and the unsafe treatment of two female athletes during the NBA All-Star weekend in February. She has sued for compensation for lost wages, reinstatement to her position, or payment for future lost wages....

Gregg's attorney, Maria Witt of Albies & Stark LLC, said in the complaint: 'Gregg did not receive nearly enough resources to adequately staff and support the program.' The former executive 'reported her belief that Adidas treated her differently than her male counterparts in sports marketing,' to a senior human resources director in January but no action was taken....

Gregg's attorney, Maria Witt of Albies & Stark LLC, said in the complaint: 'Gregg did not receive nearly enough resources to adequately staff and support the program.' The former executive 'reported her belief that Adidas treated her differently than her male counterparts in sports marketing,' to a senior human resources director in January but no action was taken. Gregg also accused the company of mistreating WNBA players Sophie Cunningham and Erica Wheeler at All-Star Weekend, according to the suit obtained by The Athletic....

Lululemon Athletica Inc claimed its products currently sold in China do not contain per — and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), amid concerns following a US investigation into the potential presence of toxic chemicals in the leisure wear maker's apparel. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the company, issuing a Civil Investigative Demand to Lululemon's US unit to examine whether it misled consumers about product safety, quality and potential health effects, according to a statement released on Monday. In response to inquiries, Lululemon China said that all products currently sold in the country are free of PFAS and comply with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards....

...In response to inquiries, Lululemon China said that all products currently sold in the country are free of PFAS and comply with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards. Its global company spokesperson said "Lululemon does not use PFAS in its products," adding it phased out the substance in fiscal 2023, after limited use in durable water repellent products.

...In response to inquiries, Lululemon China said that all products currently sold in the country are free of PFAS and comply with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards. Its global company spokesperson said "Lululemon does not use PFAS in its products," adding it phased out the substance in fiscal 2023, after limited use in durable water repellent products.

The former head of women’s basketball sports marketing at Adidas sued the company Wednesday, alleging she was fired in February for raising concerns about gender discrimination, inequitable resources and the treatment of female athletes. Lindsay Gregg, whose acquisitions for the sportswear manufacturer included WNBA stars and Olympic champions, filed the suit in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Ore....

In 2023, Gregg was allowed to hire an employee to work with her, but the suit says, “Gregg did not receive nearly enough resources to adequately staff and support the program.” In January 2026, she met with Adidas’ senior human resources director and “reported her belief that Adidas treated her differently than her male counterparts in sports marketing,” the suit says....

...“… These women are exceptional competitors whose skill and professionalism deserve to be met with respect, support, and investment. However, when I spoke up about disparities and conduct that put women in unsafe situations, Adidas chose to fire me instead of addressing those problems.”

with Groupe Artémis, the investment company of the Pinault family, to acquire a 29.06 percent stake in Puma SE in a deal worth 1.5 billion euros, or about $1.8 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026....

In the U.S., Merrell will partner with community-led organizations including Hike Clerb, SENIQ, City Girls Who Walk, Latino Outdoors, and Camp Yoshi, groups redefining who the outdoors is for and expanding participation in outdoor experiences. Through these partnerships, Merrell will support a series of community events across New York City throughout Summer 2026, designed to create more inclusive and welcoming ways for people to engage with the outdoors. Throughout Europe, Outside in the City will come to life through community experiences shaped by cultural leaders redefining the outdoors in urban environments....

..."Union Square is an iconic space that thousands move through daily, and Shantell’s installation creates a meaningful moment of reflection within the everyday rush. We’re grateful to Merrell and Shantell Martin for delivering an experience that encourages New Yorkers to step outside and engage more deeply with our beloved city.” Championing Belonging in the Modern Outdoor Community

Lululemon is facing a Texas probe that turns one narrow product question into a broader test of brand trust: whether wellness-focused marketing matches what is actually in its apparel. The company says it does not use PFAS in its products, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says his office is examining whether consumers may have been misled about safety and health impacts. What is Texas investigating?...

...Lululemon gains only if it can show its documentation is consistent, its phase-out timeline is clear, and its controls are strong enough to close the trust gap. The company is also dealing with broader pressure: it is searching for a chief executive after Calvin McDonald stepped down in January amid sluggish sales and quality concerns, while founder Chip Wilson has been pressing for a board shakeup. Its board also recently added Chip Bergh, former president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a formal consumer protection investigation into Lululemon, alleging the athleisure giant may have deceived health-conscious shoppers about the presence of toxic synthetic chemicals in its activewear. On 13 April 2026, Paxton's office issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Lululemon USA Inc., a legal instrument that compels a company to hand over documents and data before any formal lawsuit is filed....

What Paxton's Civil Investigative Demand Requires of Lululemon A Civil Investigative Demand carries the same legal force as a subpoena. Paxton's office has directed Lululemon to hand over its Restricted Substances List, testing protocols, and supply chain documentation, allowing investigators to assess whether the company's internal safety practices match its public-facing sustainability claims. Scrutiny will also extend to the brand's marketing language, which consistently frames its products around wellness, performance, and environmental responsibility....

According to Reuters, Attorney General Paxton said emerging research and consumer concerns have raised ⁠questions about whether certain synthetic materials in the apparel could be linked to endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer and other health risks. PFAS are associated with harmful health effects in humans and animals, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. The Office of the Attorney General will examine Lululemon's testing protocols, restricted substances list and supply chain practices against state safety standards. "If Lululemon has violated Texas law, it will be ⁠held accountable," Paxton ⁠said in his post....

...The Office of the Attorney General will examine Lululemon's testing protocols, restricted substances list and supply chain practices against state safety standards. "If Lululemon has violated Texas law, it will be ⁠held accountable," Paxton ⁠said in his post. The company spokesperson said they are aware of the inquiry and are cooperating. Earlier this year, the company had to pull its "Get Low" workout collection from its website following user complaints, only resuming online sales after addressing the issues....

PFAS are associated with harmful health effects in humans and animals, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. The Office of the Attorney-General will examine Lululemon’s testing protocols, restricted substances list and supply chain practices against state safety standards. “If Lululemon has violated Texas law, it will be held accountable,” Mr Paxton said in his post....

...The Office of the Attorney-General will examine Lululemon’s testing protocols, restricted substances list and supply chain practices against state safety standards. “If Lululemon has violated Texas law, it will be held accountable,” Mr Paxton said in his post. The company spokesperson said they are aware of the inquiry and are cooperating. Earlier in 2026 , the company had to pull its Get Low workout collection from its website following user complaints, only resuming online sales after addressing the issues....

A 16-year-old from Florida charged with sexually assaulting and killing stepsister on a cruise ship3 contractors cited for violations in death of worker building major ICE detention camp, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These so-called “forever chemicals” don’t break down easily, and the attorney general’s office said Lululemon’s customers wouldn’t expect their presence based on the brand’s marketing, which highlights wellness and sustainability. The attorney general’s office also announced that it will review the company’s “restricted substances” list, testing protocols, and supply network practices to determine whether Lululemon’s products comply with its stated safety standards....

...These so-called “forever chemicals” don’t break down easily, and the attorney general’s office said Lululemon’s customers wouldn’t expect their presence based on the brand’s marketing, which highlights wellness and sustainability. The attorney general’s office also announced that it will review the company’s “restricted substances” list, testing protocols, and supply network practices to determine whether Lululemon’s products comply with its stated safety standards. “Americans should not have to worry if they are being deceived when trying to make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” Paxton said in a statement....

The investigation concerns whether Lululemon’s athletic apparel contains PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. A Lululemon store is in the Westfield Graden State Plaza shopping mall in Paramus, New Jersey, on Saturday, December 17, 2022....

Attorney General Paxton’s investigation will examine whether Lululemon’s athletic apparel contains PFAS or “forever chemicals” that their health-conscious customers would not expect based on the brand...

Attorney General Paxton’s investigation will examine whether Lululemon’s athletic apparel contains PFAS or “forever chemicals” that their health-conscious customers would not expect based on the brand...

Texas is launching an investigation into the major athletic apparel brand Lululemon Athletica Inc. over the potential presence of “forever chemicals” in the apparel. Lululemon has come under fire in recent days over allegations of the brand’s use of “forever chemicals” —polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) — in the clothing....

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into activewear giant Lululemon amid concerns that its products may contain potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” according to an off...

...Officials will also review the company’s Restricted Substances List, testing procedures, and supply chain practices to determine whether its products meet stated safety guidelines. RECOMMENDED: Lucha libre event in East El Paso raises funds for Best Friends Forever association “Americans should not have to worry if they are being deceived when trying to make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” Paxton said in a statement. “I will not allow any corporation to sell harmful, toxic materials to consumers at a premium price under the guise of wellness and sustainability.” The investigation could lead to legal action if violations of Texas consumer protection laws are found....

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into activewear giant Lululemon amid concerns that its products may contain potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” according to an official announcement released Monday. Paxton’s office issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to Lululemon USA Inc. as part of a broader inquiry into whether the company misled consumers about the safety, quality, and health impacts of its apparel....

Lululemon is at the centre of a U.S. investigation over allegations that it uses harmful chemicals in its products, which the company denies. On Monday, U.S. Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that he has launched an investigation into lululemon over the potential presence of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or “forever chemicals” in its activewear. The investigation will look into whether or not PFAS is present in lululemon’s athletic apparel. It will also look into the company’s list of restricted substances, testing protocols, and supply chain practices to see if it’s in compliance with safety standards....

...And because they don’t break down easily, they stay in the environment for a long time. These chemicals can impact people’s health, such as the liver, kidneys, and thyroid, as well as body weight and metabolism. It can also affect the immune and nervous systems, and the development and reproductive system....

...Shares fell on Monday morning after Paxton announced the investigation. He stated that lululemon will be “held accountable” if the investigation finds that it violated Texas law. “I will not allow any corporation to sell harmful, toxic materials to consumers at a premium price under the guise of wellness and sustainability,” said Paxton.

...A statement from a Lululemon company spokesperson to WFAA said the retailer is cooperating with the investigation and pushed back on the allegations. “Lululemon does not use PFAS in its products. The company phased out the substance in FY23, which had been used in durable water repellent products, a small percentage of our assortment,” the company said in a statement....

...“Lululemon does not use PFAS in its products. The company phased out the substance in FY23, which had been used in durable water repellent products, a small percentage of our assortment,” the company said in a statement. The company added that “the health and safety of our guests is paramount,” and said its products “meet or exceed global regulatory, safety, and quality standards.”...

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into athletic apparel company Lululemon over concerns about potentially harmful chemicals in its products. According to a press release issued Monday, Paxton’s office sent a Civil Investigative Demand to Lululemon USA Inc. as part of a probe into whether the company “has misled consumers about the safety, quality, and health impacts of its products.” The investigation will focus on whether Lululemon’s athletic wear contains PFAS — often referred to as “forever chemicals” — which some research has linked to health concerns, including “endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer, and other health issues,” according to the release....

The Oregon-based athleticwear titan has landed itself in hot water in an Oregon federal court, with a plaintiff claiming that the brand failed to secure and safeguard consumers’ personally identifiable information during a January data breach. The lawsuit, filed by complainant Maria Gomez, alleged that Nike did not properly secure the shopper information that it stored within its information network, which ranged from names and emails to billing addresses, phone numbers, transaction data and even payment card specifics. Now, Gomez wants to take the brand to task through a nationwide class-action suit and is seeking individuals whose privacy was compromised during the breach, which she argued was caused by an “inadequately protected network.”...

In addition to inadvertently allowing bad actors access to the sensitive information, Nike also neglected to alert shoppers to the in a timely manner, the suit said. Affected parties were informed on Feb. 25, over a month after claims it unearthed the issue. What’s more, the individuals responsible for the ransomware attack released 1.4 terabytes of the Nike data on its website....

In addition to the bearish sentiment around the war in Iran, there was some analyst chatter and news about the sportswear giant. On March 5, Nike said it was making organizational changes, including layoffs, and that it would take a $300 million severance charge. Rumors also circulated that Nike could be getting ready to sell Converse, as BNP Paribas speculated that the $300 million in charges was related to plans to exit the Converse business....

...Allbirds warned of “substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern” in financial filings Tuesday. The company closed all of its full-price U.S. stores in recent months. Last year Allbirds net sales plummeted nearly 20% year over year to $152.5 million....

...At the close of the year, the company employed 362 people, nearly 90% in the United States. More than 200 people worked in its stores at that point, though Allbirds now has fewer than 50 retail employees. The sale to AXNY is expected to close in Q2.

...The company expects these changes to generate tangible financial benefits starting in FY2027, with further improvements anticipated in the following years. AI Platforms Accelerate Innovation and Engagement Artificial intelligence is emerging as a central pillar of Nike’s long-term growth strategy. The company highlighted its Nike MIND platform as a key innovation engine that integrates AI into product development and consumer engagement....

...AI Platforms Accelerate Innovation and Engagement Artificial intelligence is emerging as a central pillar of Nike’s long-term growth strategy. The company highlighted its Nike MIND platform as a key innovation engine that integrates AI into product development and consumer engagement. The platform has demonstrated strong traction, with more than 150 patents filed globally and over 2 million consumer sign-ups through Nike’s digital ecosystem. Product launches linked to this platform have seen strong demand, frequently selling out across multiple markets....

...Technology Restructuring to Improve Efficiency As part of its transformation, Nike has implemented restructuring measures within its technology and supply chain operations. The company recorded a $230 million charge related to workforce reductions, primarily affecting technology and logistics functions.

(NBC, KYMA) - Nike is being sued after customers' personal information was exposed. A lawsuit filed in California alleges the global sneaker company failed to protect sensitive information, and waited too long to notify customers of a data breach. The suit claims names, addresses, phone numbers, and payment info were exposed....

...Nike is being sued after customers' personal information was exposed. A lawsuit filed in California alleges the global sneaker company failed to protect sensitive information, and waited too long to notify customers of a data breach. The suit claims names, addresses, phone numbers, and payment info were exposed. It says Nike discovered the breach around January 21, but didn't notify victims for over a month....

...Over the last 18 months, Hill has aggressively dismantled the rigid architecture of his predecessor, refocusing the company on what he calls "Sport Offense." This has meant a painful but necessary "right-sizing" of Nike Direct, which saw revenues decline by 4% this quarter, while the wholesale segment grew by 5% as the company re-embraced retail partners it had previously snubbed.

...The culprit was a series of heavy one-time charges totaling $230 million, linked to the final stages of the company’s "Save to Invest" program, which included massive severance packages and supply chain restructuring costs.

SG&A Expense -- Increased 2%, including a $230 million charge for employee-related severance costs concentrated in Supply Chain and Technology. North America Revenue -- Up 3%; Running and Global Football grew double digits, Basketball up high single digits, Sportswear down double digits....

...Nike reported tangible demand signals for innovative products, notably with the Nike MIND platform selling out and triggering increased production for future periods. A $230 million severance expense was incurred to reset fixed cost structures in Supply Chain, Technology, and Converse, fueling expectations for profitability improvements beginning in fiscal 2027. Guidance calls for low single-digit revenue declines into year-end as North America improves, offset by a sharp downturn in Greater China from ongoing marketplace management and reduced sell-in....

Any unrefunded shipping fees will be donated to the environmental program “1% For The Planet” under the SEE Foundation, the announcement said. The company cited that as an outdoor apparel brand, it recorded a return rate of as high as 69.7 percent during the 2025 Double 11 shopping festival....

...The company cited that as an outdoor apparel brand, it recorded a return rate of as high as 69.7 percent during the 2025 Double 11 shopping festival. From 2023 to 2025, shipments from its Tmall flagship store generated 190.36 tons of carbon emissions, while returns accounted for a further 40.9 tons. It even specifically cited the high return rate in women’s apparel....

...It even specifically cited the high return rate in women’s apparel. “Therefore, we made a decision: during Earth Month this April, the Tmall flagship store will implement the ‘Earth usage fee’ policy,” the company said, adding that “it is not a punishment, but an invitation” for consumers to help reduce the environmental impact of online shopping.

Friend also detailed a $230 million charge for employee-related severance costs, primarily in supply chain and technology, with some associated with “right-sized operating costs at Converse.” He said the company is “reset[ting] our cost base” following pandemic-era investments that supported a larger digital/direct business but increased fixed costs as revenue later declined....

...He said the company is “reset[ting] our cost base” following pandemic-era investments that supported a larger digital/direct business but increased fixed costs as revenue later declined. Friend said the actions should help lower costs, streamline operations and reduce capacity in distribution over time, shifting the supply chain toward a more variable cost structure. Benefits are expected to begin in fiscal 2027 and build through fiscal 2028, and while additional supply-chain actions could create future impacts, Friend said Nike believes this quarter’s actions “will represent the largest financial impact.”...

...That’s included slashing marketing and other expenses 44 percent in the fiscal second quarter. Earlier this year, Nike cut staff at the brand and revamped its organizational structure.

...That’s included slashing marketing and other expenses 44 percent in the fiscal second quarter. Earlier this year, Nike cut staff at the brand and revamped its organizational structure.

...Lead plaintiff Maria Gomez, of Los Angeles County, California, filed the proposed class action suit on March 24 in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, according to Bloomberg Law News. The complaint alleges that the sports apparel giant breached its duties under common law, contract law, industry standards, and the Federal Trade Commission Act to implement reasonable and adequate data security measures. According to The Oregonian, the lawsuit claims that Nike discovered the breach around Jan. 21, 2026, but did not notify victims until more than a month later (Feb. 25). Court documents state that information exposed in the breach included names, email addresses, billing addresses, phone numbers and payment card information, according to a Nike notice referenced in the lawsuit.

...Lead plaintiff Maria Gomez, of Los Angeles County, California, filed the proposed class action suit on March 24 in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, according to Bloomberg Law News. The complaint alleges that the sports apparel giant breached its duties under common law, contract law, industry standards, and the Federal Trade Commission Act to implement reasonable and adequate data security measures. According to The Oregonian, the lawsuit claims that Nike discovered the breach around Jan. 21, 2026, but did not notify victims until more than a month later (Feb. 25)....

BEAVERTON Ore. (KPTV) - A new lawsuit against Nike is now on file in federal court in Oregon, accusing the company of failing to adequately protect customer data and then waiting too long to notify people after a breach. The case was filed by Maria Gomez, a California resident, who is seeking to represent a proposed nationwide class of people whose personal information may have been compromised....

...The lawsuit says customer information that may have been exposed includes names, email addresses, billing addresses, phone numbers, transaction information and payment card information. The suit also says Nike did not start notifying affected customers until Feb. 25, 2026, and that the company did not say when the breach started or how long it lasted. The complaint argues the incident was preventable and that the delay left people with less time to take steps to protect themselves.

Beyond their revenue and their growth, ANTA is a company that focuses on “contributing to global humanitarian assistance,” as Lai Shixian, Executive Director and Co-CEO, stated. With this mission in mind, ANTA entered an official partnership with UNHCR in 2023 to reach 300,000 displaced children worldwide. Over the last two years, ANTA provided $1.5 million in financial support and 1.2 million pieces of sporting apparel and equipment to displaced youth,” to children in Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia....

...With this mission in mind, ANTA entered an official partnership with UNHCR in 2023 to reach 300,000 displaced children worldwide. Over the last two years, ANTA provided $1.5 million in financial support and 1.2 million pieces of sporting apparel and equipment to displaced youth,” to children in Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The Impacts

...Exotec has also integrated a range of automated equipment across the sites, including depalletisers, carton-opening systems and RFID tunnels, helping streamline intralogistics processes. By standardising equipment and design choices across multiple locations, the company said it has been able to reduce costs and speed up deployment, particularly during the early performance ramp-up phase. Operations are coordinated through Exotec’s Deepsky® software, which ensures what the company describes as “seamless end-to-end operational continuity” across all sites using a shared system architecture. The programme has also delivered notable changes for warehouse staff, with a reduction in physically demanding tasks and increased opportunities for upskilling.

Each installation includes fleets of up to 200 robots, tens of thousands of storage locations and the capacity to process thousands of order lines per hour, with full automation of both inbound and outbound flows. Exotec has also integrated a range of automated equipment across the sites, including depalletisers, carton-opening systems and RFID tunnels, helping streamline intralogistics processes....

At Decathlon’s Northampton site, workers who previously walked up to 10km a day now cover closer to 1km, while workplace incidents linked to order preparation have fallen significantly, from “one per 5,000 to 1 per 10,000”. Performance improvements have also been recorded across the network....

...Revenue from all other brands surged 59.2% to 17.00 billion yuan, with operating profit jumping 55.3% to 4.74 billion yuan. DESCENTE's retail sales surpassed 10 billion yuan for the first time in 2025, making it the group's third brand to reach the milestone after ANTA and FILA. The group's research and development expenditure rose to approximately 2.2 billion yuan during the year as it launched an "AI365 Strategy" to integrate artificial intelligence tools across its value chain.

ANTA also reported total charitable donations of over 800 million yuan in 2025 from the group and the Hemin Foundation, bringing cumulative donations to more than 3.5 billion yuan. "The Group's revenue surpassed 80 billion yuan for the first time....

Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon, had long struggled with conventional running shoes, often dealing with pain and blisters even over short distances. His involvement with adidas goes beyond endorsement; he has been testing prototypes for years, feeding into the design process....

adidas is stepping into a space the performance footwear industry has long overlooked. With the launch of the Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive, the brand has introduced what it describes as its "first running shoe specifically designed for people with disabilities"—marking a notable shift towards more inclusive product design....

These include a wider fit, a step-in heel designed for hands-free entry, a low-pressure lacing system to minimise irritation, and tactile elements to support those with visual or sensory needs. Functional additions like heel loops with magnetic toggles further address ease of use, an area often ignored in performance footwear. To get there, adidas partnered with GAMUT Management and worked with a broad set of users, including Paralympians such as Tracy Otto and Haven Shepherd, alongside individuals with mobility, sensory, and limb differences. The goal wasn’t simplification but usability – making a high-performance shoe that adapts to different bodies and needs....

“With this addition, Lululemon has added five new independent directors to the board in the last five years, reflecting the board’s commitment to ongoing refreshment,” the company said in a statement. Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has also taken a more than US$1 billion stake in Lululemon. Jane Nielsen, a former chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Ralph Lauren, has worked with Elliott as it built up its stake....

...If elected by shareholders, he will replace David Mussafer, a long-time director who doesn’t plan to stand for re-election after his current term. Wilson, the founder, has raised questions about Mussafer’s objectivity. Wilson, who no longer has a role with the company, began his campaign for changes at Lululemon last fall, criticising management in a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal....

...Wilson, who no longer has a role with the company, began his campaign for changes at Lululemon last fall, criticising management in a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal. Since then, he has continued to speak out while nominating three other director candidates for the board. He has called for changes to the board before a new CEO is hired....

Board Under Fire: Board Chair Marti Morfitt is facing a proxy fight from founder Chip Wilson, who has nominated three independent directors (including former executives from On Running and Activision) to refocus the company on "technical excellence. " Strategic Void: The primary challenge for 2026 is finding a permanent CEO who can balance Wilson’s vision for exclusivity with the institutional need for scale....

Spring 2026 Product Reset: The company is banking on a "product refresh" hitting stores this month, intended to introduce higher levels of technical "newness" and fashion-forward designs to win back Gen Z. Activist Turnaround: The involvement of Elliott Management and the pressure from Chip Wilson could force operational efficiencies and a more disciplined capital allocation strategy. Investor Sentiment and Analyst Coverage Sentiment is currently cautious but curious....

Regulatory, Policy, and Geopolitical Factors UFLPA Compliance: Lululemon maintains a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding forced labor, but rigorous auditing under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act remains a high operational cost. Trade Tariffs: New 2025-2026 trade policies have placed significant pressure on Lululemon's Asian-centric supply chain, forcing the company to explore near-shoring in Mexico and Central America....

Summary adidas has reportedly filed a federal lawsuit against the sneaker release app Sole Retriever and its founder Harris R. Monoson, alleging trade secret theft, copyright infringement, and extortion The complaint claims Sole Retriever sent an ultimatum email, threatening to leak the full unreleased Anthony Edwards 2 lineup unless granted insider access Following the threats, Sole Retriever allegedly posted stolen confidential CAD designs for upcoming sneaker lines, prompting adidas to seek substantial financial damages and a permanent injunction adidas is taking aggressive legal action against the popular sneaker release platform Sole Retriever, alleging a shocking attempt at corporate extortion. Filed on March 12, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, the lawsuit claims that Sole Retriever and its founder Harris R. Monoson weaponized stolen trade secrets and unreleased product imagery to demand preferential treatment from the sportswear giant.

...The AE3 post alone pulled in over 12,200 likes, with the platform’s account allegedly boasting in the comments that the images came “directly from the brand.” The lawsuit notes that these materials were provided by unnamed individuals—listed as Does 1 through 5—who adidas suspects may include internal employees based in Oregon.

Reconsider, which launched two years ago and has already helped to circulate 100,000 pairs of new Balance shoes, will now include apparel products. The scheme aims to extend the life of New Balance products. It sells footwear – and now apparel – sourced from consumer returns that cannot be sold as new....

...Apparel is not currently available for trade in. “Reconsidered has been an impactful platform for New Balance consumers to access popular, like-new or gently worn styles while helping to extend the life of our footwear,” Tracy Knauer, vice president of North America, marketing and direct to consumer, at New Balance explained.

In the letter, Wilson criticized management's willingness to invest and what he described as a reliance on heavy discounting. He cautioned that without meaningful changes in the boardroom, any new chief executive could face ongoing struggles to restore the company's performance. His comments add to a campaign that has been building for years following his resignation as chairman and departure from the board more than a decade ago.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU) and one of the company's largest shareholders, is intensifying his pressure campaign against the retailer's board just as the company searches for a new chief executive. In an open letter directed at potential CEO candidates, Wilson warned that the role could prove difficult without deeper governance changes, suggesting that simply installing a new leader may not resolve the company's broader challenges....

...The campaign comes at a difficult moment for Lululemon, whose shares have dropped nearly 70% since the start of 2024. Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has also built a stake of more than $1 billion in the company. Meanwhile, Lululemon is conducting a CEO search following Calvin McDonald's departure at the end of January and has held preliminary discussions with former On Holding executive Marc Maurer, while the company is expected to report its weakest annual sales growth since going public next week.

...It is also possible that Nike will sell Converse, which is a very small part of the business, but it has been a real drag on earnings because it has been struggling badly. Nike recently announced significant layoffs at Converse, which suggests it is no longer really supporting the brand.

Lululemon has paid a $702,900 fine for sending hundreds of thousands of emails that customers had no way of unsubscribing from. This comes after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) launched an investigation against the companies over violations against the country's spam laws....

A spokesperson for Lululemon has also released a statement on the issue, according to ABC News. "We take this responsibility very seriously and have worked cooperatively with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to address their findings," the Lululemon spokesperson said. "We have completed a thorough review of our practices for communicating with our guests and have made updates to our standard guest journey emails, including our order confirmation and delivery notifications to ensure ongoing compliance," the spokesperson assured. What Australian Law Requires Spam laws in Australia require businesses to include the option to unsubscribe from marketing and promotional emails and texts. In addition to the fine for violating Australian laws, Lululemon has also agreed to enter into an independent review of its spam rule compliance....

..."In this case Lululemon sent service emails such as shipping updates that also contained sales material and direct links to promotions," ACMA member Samantha Yorke said in a statement. Yorke added, "This was an easily avoidable error that has led to hundreds of thousands of marketing emails being sent without a way for people to opt out."

...Together, these innovations are helping the company build a more agile and technology-driven product development ecosystem. AI Enhances Global E-Commerce Personalization Artificial intelligence is also playing a growing role in Adidas’ digital commerce strategy. Adidas, as part of digital transformation strategy, has deployed AI-powered tools across its global e-commerce platforms to improve personalization and localized marketing. While Adidas operates on a unified digital infrastructure, regional teams can customize content based on local cultural preferences, athlete endorsements, and celebrity collaborations....

...Adidas is also preparing for the relaunch of its iconic Stan Smith sneaker line in 2026 and 2027 as part of its broader lifestyle product strategy. Digital Infrastructure Supports Global Operations Digital transformation is increasingly becoming the operational backbone of Adidas’ global business. The company has implemented a unified e-commerce infrastructure across markets, improving website performance, scalability, and cybersecurity resilience. Adidas also relies on digital platforms to monitor and manage its global supply chain, which includes a direct workforce of approximately 64,000 employees and an indirect manufacturing ecosystem of around one million workers....

Global sportswear giant Adidas is reportedly considering Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, co-owner and chairman of Aston Villa F.C., as the next chairman of the company, a move that could place one of Africa’s wealthiest business figures at the helm of the German brand. Sawiris, currently estimated to be worth about $9.3 billion, has been a member of Adidas’s supervisory board since 2016 and was appointed deputy chairman in 2025....

...Sawiris, currently estimated to be worth about $9.3 billion, has been a member of Adidas’s supervisory board since 2016 and was appointed deputy chairman in 2025. Through his investment vehicle, NNS Group, he holds roughly a 6–7 percent stake in the company, making him one of its largest shareholders. If appointed, the Egyptian tycoon would replace German executive Thomas Rabe, who has chaired the Adidas supervisory board since August 2020.

Nike sparked more speculation about a Converse sale on Thursday evening when the Swoosh issued its latest 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the new regulatory filing, said the company’s management approved a plan to implement certain organizational changes, which together with previously approved actions, are expected to result in pre-tax charges of approximately $300 million for the nine months ended Feb. 28. Nike stated in the filing that the charges were primarily associated with employee severance costs, and substantially all recognized in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Some of these cuts included nearly 800 jobs to consolidate its U.S. distribution center operations across facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi in January....

...In the new regulatory filing, said the company’s management approved a plan to implement certain organizational changes, which together with previously approved actions, are expected to result in pre-tax charges of approximately $300 million for the nine months ended Feb. 28. Nike stated in the filing that the charges were primarily associated with employee severance costs, and substantially all recognized in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Some of these cuts included nearly 800 jobs to consolidate its U.S. distribution center operations across facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi in January. And just weeks later, Converse set its own cuts, although exact numbers of who was impacted were not disclosed at the time.

...Athleta, a Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) brand and leader in women's performance and lifestyle apparel, is celebrating International Women's Day with a morning of movement, community, and cold‑water courage, benefiting Girls On The Run Bay Area. In partnership with female-founded Ocean Beach Plunge Club, on March 7, Athleta is inviting its community of Bay Area women to "Wake The Water" with a sunrise walk and plunge in the San Francisco Bay. For each woman who participates, Athleta will contribute $250 to Girls On the Run Bay Area – up to $50,000. This turns every plunge into a tangible splash for Bay Area girls, helping them find confidence, strength, and community through movement, continuing Athleta's commitment to removing barriers to sport and empowering the next generation.

...For each woman who participates, Athleta will contribute $250 to Girls On the Run Bay Area – up to $50,000. This turns every plunge into a tangible splash for Bay Area girls, helping them find confidence, strength, and community through movement, continuing Athleta's commitment to removing barriers to sport and empowering the next generation.

...The company issued several profit warnings last year and has been undergoing a restructuring programme aimed at restoring profitability and rebuilding its brand position in the global sportswear market. Earlier this year, Puma reported a record annual loss of €645.5 million and declining sales, forcing the company to scrap its dividend and announce plans to cut around 900 jobs as part of its turnaround effort. The restructuring is being led by the company’s new chief executive, Arthur Hoeld, who has signalled that the brand needs to fundamentally rethink its product strategy and global positioning....

Pentagon Labels Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk, Amodei Apologizes for Memo The label could have far-reaching consequences for other companies that work with the government, but Anthropic's CEO says the scope of the law is narrower than the Pentagon has suggested. ---- Nike to Record $300 Million Charge From Cost-Cutting Efforts The sneaker company said the charge is primarily associated with employee severance costs, and that it is continuing to evaluate opportunities to operate more efficiently and profitably. ---- Costco Evaluating Possibility of Tariff Refunds as Second-Quarter Revenue Rises Costco is evaluating the potential for tariff refunds, with plans to pass on savings to shoppers through lower prices if the warehouse retailer manages to land a windfall....

Adidas is proposing board member Nassef Sawiris as its new chairman, taking over from Thomas Rabe, the sportswear company said on Wednesday. Adidas has also extended to the end of 2030 the contract of CEO Bjorn Gulden, who has led a turnaround at the brand since the start of 2023....

Adidas is proposing board member Nassef Sawiris as its new chairman, taking over from Thomas Rabe, the sportswear company said on Wednesday. Adidas has also extended to the end of 2030 the contract of CEO Bjorn Gulden, who has led a turnaround at the brand since the start of 2023. The sportswear company has faced shareholder revolt over Rabe at its last two annual general meetings, with just 64 per cent supporting his reelection last year as many investors said he was not sufficiently focused on Adidas due to other executive roles. Egyptian billionaire Sawiris has been on the board since 2016....

“Growth and progress go hand in hand,” Nike wrote, “and we remain committed to investing in ways that expand opportunity while strengthening labor standards and worker protections where we operate worldwide.” Nike suggests that people who work for its foreign suppliers are well paid. In particular, the company says most workers for which it has data earn nearly double the local minimum wage. As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported in partnership with ProPublica in January, Nike does not pay workers anywhere close to this amount in Indonesia....

...In particular, the company says most workers for which it has data earn nearly double the local minimum wage. As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported in partnership with ProPublica in January, Nike does not pay workers anywhere close to this amount in Indonesia. In interviews across three regions of the country, roughly 100 workers said they made the minimum wage or a little bit more.

...Nike’s focus, one company official said, is on whether workers make a living wage and, if not, whether their employers are trying to get there. Although Nike does not explicitly require its suppliers to pay this amount, it says every worker “has a right to compensation for a regular work week that is sufficient to meet workers’ basic needs and provide some discretionary income.” The company reported that two-thirds of its key suppliers — it did not say which ones — paid above living wage benchmarks in 2022.

...The brand developed the program with the late Virgil Abloh’s “Post-Modern” scholarship fund, administered by the Fashion Scholarship Fund and Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. Merrell will select more than 30 students to participate in a creative curriculum and apprenticeships within its design studio. “[The Futures Project] provides an opportunity for us to invest in the next generation of creative talent,” McLeod said....

Along with the campaign, Merrell is launching Merrell Outside: Futures Project to expand access and opportunities for future designers. The brand developed the program with the late Virgil Abloh’s “Po...

Date (MENAFN) Anta Sports Products, China’s largest sportswear retailer, is set to acquire a 29% stake in German sports brand Puma, making it the company’s largest shareholder, as stated by reports. The deal comes at a time when Puma’s shares were near their lowest levels in a decade....

...“Puma has more potential in the Chinese market, where they are underrepresented… We have a lot of insight on how to make Puma more successful in China,” Wei Lin, Anta’s global vice president for sustainability and investor relations, said. The firm also intends to secure board representation at Puma once the acquisition is finalized.

...In a letter sent to Lululemon shareholders Friday, Chip Wilson said it took the company’s board 70 days to address three board nominations and several other suggestions he made in December. The response “does not reflect serious engagement toward resolving Lululemon’s challenges,” Wilson said. Rather than heed his suggestions, he alleged the board only expressed openness to making some unspecified director changes over several years and dismissed his idea to create a brand product committee....

...Lululemon chief financial officer Meghan Frank and chief commercial officer André Maestrini are splitting the CEO role on an interim basis. Wilson’s letter said, “there is an existing crisis to hire a permanent CEO [caused by the third failed succession planning process].” The company is also struggling to recruit new board members, he alleged....

...The response “does not reflect serious engagement toward resolving Lululemon’s challenges,” Wilson said. Rather than heed his suggestions, he alleged the board only expressed openness to making some unspecified director changes over several years and dismissed his idea to create a brand product committee. Lululemon did not immediately comment on the letter from Wilson, who left its board in 2015 and has since been estranged from the company, but remains a significant shareholder.

READ MORE : Operator of 106-year-old retailer could file for bankruptcy with nearly 200 stores at riskREAD MORE : Iconic department store closing popular mall location after 20 years Eddie Bauer LLC operates roughly 180 stores across the US and Canada. If the company cannot find a purchaser, "we will commence an orderly wind down of... store operations," the chief executive stated. "This is not an easy decision," Rosen admitted about the bankruptcy filing, telling the Associated Press....

Eddie Bauer customers must redeem gift cards and loyalty points by March 12 as the retail operator enters bankruptcy proceedings and closes 180 stores across the US and Canada. Shoppers need to act immediately as gift cards are set to become worthless in just weeks after a major retailer announced bankruptcy....

..." Court filings from Ontario show 24 of the company's 175 North American stores are situated in Canada. The business had approximately 379 employees nationwide when it filed for bankruptcy protection. The application does not affect Eddie Bauer's digital retail and wholesale operations, which are run by a distinct organization called Outdoor 5 and have not filed for creditor protection....

That was still ahead of an expected loss of 374.3 million euros, based on an analyst poll provided by the company. Puma expected sales to keep declining this year, albeit at a slower pace in the low-...

...Sales slid 8.1 percent to 7.3 billion euros in 2025 from a year earlier. China’s top sportswear brand Anta has promised to help Puma grow its sales in China, after striking a deal last month to become Puma’s biggest shareholder with a 29-percent stake.

...Puma had reduced promotional activity and was also in the process of cutting around 1,400 corporate roles. Around 800 jobs have already gone and a further 600 will be by the end of this year. “The largest impacts [on sales] came from cancellations of undesirable business with wholesale partners in the mass merchant space,” chief financial officer Markus Neubrand said, “followed by inventory take-backs and lower [direct-to-consumer] promotions.”

...This process was proceeding ahead of schedule, it said. Puma had reduced promotional activity and was also in the process of cutting around 1,400 corporate roles. Around 800 jobs have already gone and a further 600 will be by the end of this year....

In January, Chinese sportswear brand Anta struck a deal to become Puma’s biggest shareholder and is promising to help the German sportswear maker improve sales in China. Both Hoeld and Neubrand expressed themselves “extremely excited” about their new shareholder but added that there were also some uncertainties....

Classes start at $40 and every dollar goes directly to BlacklistLA, a local nonprofit that has been running free community fitness events across Los Angeles since 2013. They do weekly runs through the city, women-led programming, full marathon training, all built around the idea that taking care of your body shouldn’t cost you anything....

Classes start at $40 and every dollar goes directly to BlacklistLA, a local nonprofit that has been running free community fitness events across Los Angeles since 2013. They do weekly runs through the city, women-led programming, full marathon training, all built around the idea that taking care of your body shouldn’t cost you anything. Studio...

A hacker operating under the alias “Sp1d3r” has claimed responsibility for breaching systems connected to Adidas, allegedly exfiltrating a massive trove of customer data that includes millions of records. While the German sportswear giant has confirmed a data security incident, it has pointed the finger at a third-party customer service provider as the actual point of compromise — a distinction that raises significant questions about supply chain security and corporate accountability in an era of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks....

A hacker operating under the alias “Sp1d3r” has claimed responsibility for breaching systems connected to Adidas, allegedly exfiltrating a massive trove of customer data that includes millions of records. While the German sportswear giant has confirmed a data security incident, it has pointed the finger at a third-party customer service provider as the actual point of compromise — a distinction that raises significant questions about supply chain security and corporate accountability in an era of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The breach, first reported by TechRadar, came to light when the threat actor posted claims on a well-known cybercrime forum, boasting access to a substantial volume of Adidas customer information....

However, the speed and transparency of Adidas’s response have drawn scrutiny. Consumer advocates have pointed out that the company’s initial statements were carefully worded to minimize perceived damage, emphasizing what was not stolen (passwords and payment data) rather than providing a full accounting of what was compromised. Email addresses and phone numbers, while not as immediately dangerous as financial credentials, are highly valuable to cybercriminals for phishing campaigns, SIM-swapping attacks, and social engineering schemes....

Adidas confirmed it is investigating a possible data breach involving one of its third-party customer service providers. The company stated that there is no indication its IT infrastructure, e-commerce platforms, or consumer data were impacted by the incident....

...An individual claiming to belong to the Lapsus$ Group posted on BreachForums alleging they had compromised the sportswear giant’s extranet. The stolen dataset is described as containing 815,000 rows of information, including names, email addresses, passwords, birthdays, company names and technical data. Lapsus$ is part of the hacker collective Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, specializing in social engineering attacks....

Allegations of an incident at Adidas emerged on February 16, when someone claiming to be the Lapsus$ Group posted on BreachForums (screenshot shared here on Daily Dark Web) that they compromised the sportswear giant’s extranet. According to the crooks, the stolen files – 815,000 rows of information – allegedly include: first and last names, email addresses, passwords, birthdays, company names, and "a lot of technical data....

Adidas has confirmed it is investigating a third-party breach at one of its partner companies after digital thieves claimed they stole information and technical data from the German sportswear giant. "We have been made aware of a potential data protection incident at one of our independent licensing partners and distributor for martial arts products," an Adidas spokesperson told The Register. "This is an independent company with its own IT systems....

While exact employment figures have not been released, the potential shutdown of the company’s physical retail footprint could impact hundreds of workers. The Chapter 11 filing applies primarily to the company’s U.S. and Canadian retail stores....

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who parted ways with the company over a decade ago, called the situation a “total operational failure” on LinkedIn. He also blamed the company’s board for “destroying the brand and the stock price,” alleging that its board members are uninterested in product development....

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who parted ways with the company over a decade ago, called the situation a “total operational failure” on LinkedIn. He also blamed the company’s board for “destroying the brand and the stock price,” alleging that its board members are uninterested in product development. After temporarily pulling the leggings from its website, Lululemon returned them....

ERP and PLM Upgrades Drive Omnichannel Integration Under Armour is modernizing its enterprise systems to eliminate friction across digital and physical channels. Key initiatives include: Upgrading ERP and PLM platforms Improving enterprise data architecture Increasing real-time inventory visibility across channels These improvements enable better coordination across merchandising, sourcing, and supply chain teams while reducing manual handoffs and operational complexity....

Under Armour is deepening its investment in artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and enterprise technology as it shifts from restructuring toward operational execution and premium brand growth. Guided by CEO Kevin Plank, the company is building a more connected, consumer-centric organization powered by AI-driven planning, digital platforms, and automation....

This approach aligns marketing investments with high-impact brand moments instead of broad awareness campaigns. AI-Driven Forecasting and Dynamic Pricing Reduce Discounting A major focus of Under Armour’s technology investment is improving demand forecasting and pricing intelligence. AI-driven tools are being deployed to: Predict consumer demand more accurately Optimize pricing and promotions Improve full-price sell-through Reduce reliance on mass discounting These capabilities are improving alignment between inventory levels, consumer demand, and supply chain execution, supporting healthier margins and more consistent sales performance....

The Direct-to-Consumer Imperative Central to Adidas’s digital marketing strategy is its aggressive push into direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. The company has invested heavily in its own e-commerce platform, the Adidas app, and its CONFIRMED app for sneaker drops and exclusive releases. These owned digital channels serve a dual purpose: they generate higher-margin revenue by cutting out wholesale intermediaries, and they produce a treasure trove of first-party consumer data that fuels increasingly sophisticated marketing....

...Adidas, the German athletic giant with three stripes recognized in virtually every country on earth, followed this playbook religiously. But over the past several years, the company has executed one of the most aggressive digital transformations in consumer brand history — a pivot that has reshaped how it reaches consumers, allocates marketing budgets, and competes head-to-head with its archrival Nike. The results have been nothing short of transformative....

...The Risks and Rewards Investors Should Consider Profit margins have moved lower compared with last year, which gives Nike less room for error while it restructures Converse and invests in product refreshes. ...

Earnings are forecast to grow 18.62% per year. If Nike executes on brand and profitability initiatives, including the Converse reset, the business could have more flexibility in how it allocates cap...

...“Some roles are being eliminated, and many more will shift in scope and reporting structure,” the source said. “Nearly everyone in corporate roles at Converse will experience some level of change,” the source said on condition of anonymity because the matter is private. Nike had laid off 775 employees in distribution roles in January, aiming to boost profits and accelerate its use of automation, following job cuts announced last year as part of its turnaround efforts.

...“Nearly everyone in corporate roles at Converse will experience some level of change,” the source said on condition of anonymity because the matter is private. Nike had laid off 775 employees in distribution roles in January, aiming to boost profits and accelerate its use of automation, following job cuts announced last year as part of its turnaround efforts.

NIKE-OWNED Converse is cutting corporate roles as it aligns its operating model with its sportswear giant parent, a source familiar with the development told Reuters on Thursday. Reports from Monday said the brand’s employees were instructed to work from home this week as Nike makes strategic changes to recapture sales growth, which included new roles and team moves for some staff members....

...Reports from Monday said the brand’s employees were instructed to work from home this week as Nike makes strategic changes to recapture sales growth, which included new roles and team moves for some staff members. “Some roles are being eliminated, and many more will shift in scope and reporting structure,” the source said. “Nearly everyone in corporate roles at Converse will experience some level of change,” the source said on condition of anonymity because the matter is private....

..."Some roles are being eliminated and many more will shift in scope and reporting structure," the source said. "Nearly everyone in corporate roles at Converse will experience some level of change," the source said on condition of anonymity because the matter is private. Nike had laid off 775 employees in distribution roles in January, aiming to boost profits and accelerate its use of automation, following job cuts announced last year as part of its turnaround efforts.

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Nike-owned Converse is cutting corporate roles as it aligns its operating model with its sportswear giant parent, a source familiar with the development told Reuters on Thursday. R...

...Reports from Monday said the brand's employees were instructed to work from home this week as Nike makes strategic changes to recapture sales growth, which included new roles and team moves for some staff. "Some roles are being eliminated and many more will shift in scope and reporting structure," the source said. "Nearly everyone in corporate roles at Converse will experience some level of change," the source said on condition of anonymity because the matter is private....

Last week, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit in federal court against Nike, seeking information indicating whether the company discriminated against white applicants and employees in a range of hiring, promotion, and mentoring decisions. The EEOC alleges that Nike failed to comply with initial requests and a subsequent administrative subpoena seeking such records. In its complaint, the EEOC claims that public information about Nike’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs indicates potential discrimination against white people in terms of hiring and career development....

Last week, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit in federal court against Nike, seeking information indicating whether the company discriminated against white applicants and employees in a range of hiring, promotion, and mentoring decisions. The EEOC alleges that Nike failed to comply with initial requests and a subsequent administrative subpoena seeking such records....

Last week, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit in federal court against Nike, seeking information indicating whether the company discriminated against white applicants and employees in a range of hiring, promotion, and mentoring decisions. The EEOC alleges that Nike failed to comply with initial requests and a subsequent administrative subpoena seeking such records. In its complaint, the EEOC claims that public information about Nike’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs indicates potential discrimination against white people in terms of hiring and career development. The initial subpoena requested records dating back to 2018.

As reported, the Eddie Bauer store operating company on Monday filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey and will close its stores in the U.S. and Canada. This marks the third bankruptcy for the Eddie Bauer business, whose operating company was sold to SPARC Group Holdings and its intellectual property to an affiliate of Authentic Brands Group in 2021....

...In January 2025, SPARC was acquired by Catalyst Brands, which licensed the North American brick-and-mortar retail rights from Authentic. In a 131-page document filed by Eddie Bauer LLC’s co-chief restructuring officer Stephen Coulombe, he said the company, which operates 175 stores across 40 states and Canada and employs about 2,200 people, was benefiting from a renewed interest in the outdoors during the pandemic and posted positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $21 million during the last eight months of 2021. But the trend didn’t last long.

On February 4, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed an action in Missouri federal court “to compel Nike Inc. to produce information related to allegations that the company discriminated against white workers, including as a result of Nike’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-related 2025 targets and other DEI-related objectives.” The focus of the EEOC’s investigation claims that Nike’s DEI program may have led to “a pattern or practice of disparate treatment” against white employees, applicants and training program participants in relation to hiring, promotions, demotions, terminations, mentoring, leadership development and other career development opportunities.

On February 4, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed an action in Missouri federal court “to compel Nike Inc. to produce information related to allegations that the com...

Key Takeaways The EEOC has filed an enforcement action against Nike, seeking information on whether the company’s DEI initiatives resulted in discrimination against white employees and applicants, marking one of the first high-profile federal investigations into corporate DEI programs. This action signals a new era of heightened federal scrutiny and legal risk for employers with race-based DEI targets or practices, as the EEOC and other agencies intensify enforcement following recent executive orders aimed at curbing DEI initiatives....

...Sales at the sneaker brand continue to disappoint, even as Nike itself recovers. Working from home as a precursor Converse employees were told this week that they would have to work from home while management finalizes a reorganization plan. According to an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg, teams will be reorganized and new positions will be added....

...According to an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg, teams will be reorganized and new positions will be added. But CEO Aaron Cain hints that “difficult decisions” will also have to be made, which would mean forced departures.

Judgment day at Converse: parent company Nike will be cutting staff as part of a strategic restructuring. Sales at the sneaker brand continue to disappoint, even as Nike itself recovers....