Nike Slashes 1,400 Jobs in Global Restructuring

Nike, Inc. said on Thursday, April 23, that it plans to reduce its global workforce by about 1,400 roles, a move the company said is designed to simplify how it operates and improve efficiency across major regions.

The decision was communicated internally in a memo from Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy . The company said the reductions will span its North American, Asian, and European divisions, with the changes primarily concentrated in technology-related positions.

Nike said the workforce reduction represents slightly less than 2% of its total staff. The company had previously flagged the possibility of headcount changes in a March filing with the SEC , and the April 23 announcement formalizes that direction.

The job cuts sit within a broader effort by Nike to respond to a multi-year sales slump and intensifying competition from faster-moving rivals, including On , Hoka , and Anta . The company has also faced ongoing pressure on profit margins, which it has linked to discounting used to manage inventory levels.

Leadership priorities have also been highlighted as part of the company’s current reset. Nike said CEO Elliott Hill , who took over in 2024, has focused on bringing the brand back toward core sports categories and speeding up the cadence of new product introductions.

Even with those shifts, Nike said recent product launches have not consistently produced major market impact. The company pointed to one exception: the Vomero 18 shoe, which it said generated $100 million in sales within three months .

In its outlook, Nike forecast a 2% to 4% decline in sales for the current quarter. It also projected a 20% drop in China, describing the market as a key challenge area.

Nike said the restructuring is intended to improve integration across supply chains for materials, footwear, and apparel. It also plans to consolidate technology operations into two primary hubs: its headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon , and the Nike India Technology Center .

Uncertainties remain around how the reductions will be distributed across teams and geographies beyond the regional framing provided, and how quickly operational changes translate into measurable performance improvements. Nike’s memo and guidance outline the direction, but the company has not detailed timelines for completion in the information provided.