Nike Set To Lay off 740 Employees at Oregon Headquarters

Nike, the world's leading sportswear manufacturer, has announced its plans to lay off around 740 employees at its global headquarters in Oregon. This move aligns with the company's cost-cutting strategy, which was disclosed in December 2023, with the aim of saving $2 billion over the next three years. The second phase of layoffs is expected to commence by the end of June 2025, as the company looks to scale back on specific franchises amidst an uncertain demand scenario.

In compliance with the legal obligation, Michele Adams, Nike's Vice President for People Solutions, has notified the state authorities that the second phase of layoffs would begin at the company's headquarters. Earlier in February, Nike had indicated that it would cut around 2% of its total workforce, which equates to over 1,600 roles. As of May 31, 2023, the company had around 83,700 employees.

Despite the announcement, Nike's shares rose marginally in after-hours trading, although they have declined by nearly 13% this year. Several companies in the U.S. and Canada have announced new rounds of layoffs to curb costs in the face of an uncertain demand environment.

In March, Nike warned that its revenues in the first half of fiscal 2025 would shrink by a low-single-digit percentage. The company's decision to downsize its workforce is part of its strategy to rein in costs, as it navigates through a challenging business environment.