Nike's challenges at the dawn of 2025 and what they tell us about the evolving landscape of consumer brands. For decades they weren't just selling shoes and apparel; they were selling a lifestyle, a mindset.

But today, we're witnessing something unprecedented: Nike is facing its worst slump in a decade, with its stock experiencing its largest single-day percentage drop in company history. How did the Goddess of Victory, stumble?

Sources: This is a non-exhaustive list

https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/nike-holiday-discounts-elliott-hill-strategy-f18f7494

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-02/nike-goes-on-paris-olympics-advertising-spree

https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-how-nike-trying-turn-things-around-stay-relevant-with-rivals-new-entrants

https://www.siegelgale.com/foot-locker-stands-to-lose-more-than-shoes-with-nike-cutbacks/

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-nike-ceo-john-donahoe-190316815.html

https://whataboutmkt.com/nike-bold-marketing-shift/

https://fashionunited.com/news/people/unwrapping-in-2025-leadership-overhauls-beckon-fresh-beginnings-the-turnaround-strategies-of-new-ceos/2025010363740

https://www.theglobaltreasurer.com/2024/07/24/why-nike-is-struggling-while-adidas-is-soaring-in-2024/?amp=1

https://www.emarketer.com/content/nike-on-run--behind-its-d2c-shift-other-recent-challenges

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/23/how-foot-locker-is-waging-a-comeback-after-its-breakup-with-nike.html

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2024/12/nike-regain-its-stride/

https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/opinion/the-nike-conversation-and-why-marketing-expertise-matters/en-gb/6755

https://www.studiograft.co.uk/articles/nike-strategic-shift-impact-sales

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/27/business/nike-sales-stock/index.html

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/business/money-report/nike-has-had-a-rocky-year-heres-why-a-comeback-will-take-time/6084882/

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/08/business/nike-dsw-retail-sneakers/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/nikes-new-ceo-may-look-fix-retailer-ties-sales-revival-push-2024-09-20/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c19k3rrjl22o

https://www.sneakerfreaker.com/features/why-nike-stock-down-revenue-loss-explainer/

Various GenAI tools were used in creating this episode including for researching, drafting etc.