It's no secret that inflation has hit the global economy hard, and barely any sectors of any industry haven't been hit hard. The sneaker game, in particular, has taken a downward turn as consumers don't have the disposable income they did in years past. This is causing retailers to adjust their operations to protect their bottom line and keep themselves solvent.
As big as Nike is, they are not immune to today's financial landscape challenges. To combat the sluggish market, they made some changes in Senior Leadership and are now charging shipping for Nike Members. Nike account holders have always enjoyed free shipping, but the Swoosh can no longer foot the bill for shipping costs on all orders. Effective immediately, any order under $50 will incur shipping costs (the exact price varies by region). According to Nike, "We recently adjusted our shipping rates to remain competitive in a dynamic marketplace while also providing premium services and experiences for Nike Members."
The good news is that all orders over $50, which most sneakers are, will still enjoy free shipping in all regions. We need to find out if these changes are temporary or permanent fixtures. Nike has stated that they are actively seeking major innovations, so they will return to offering free shipping when that comes to fruition.
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Images via Nike