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Run out and get your Nike sneakers before the prices go up: Footwear giant to increase customer costs

The U.S. sportswear giant Nike is preparing to roll out a series of price hikes on footwear and apparel.

CARLO ALLEGRI

British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.

Update: May 23rd, 2025 05:06 EDT

Nike is reportedly preparing to raise its prices, amid Donald Trump’s aggressive program of tariffs on imports to the United States.

How much more will Nike products cost?

CNBC says the American sportswear giant is to impose a $5 increase on footwear that currently retails for between $100 and $150, while $10 will be added to the price of footwear sold for over $150.

Apparel will also be subject to increases of at least $2, a source told CNBC.

However, products priced below $100 will continue to retail for the existing amount, the insider said. The same goes for children’s products. What’s more, the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker will remain at $115.

When will Nike’s price rises come into effect?

CNBC’s source said Nike’s price increases will come into force by June 1, but may be seen earlier - possibly as soon as this week.

How do tariffs affect Nike?

Nike did not acknowledge to the media outlet that its price rises are a method of passing on the extra costs incurred by tariffs; in a statement, it instead spoke of “pricing adjustments as part of our seasonal planning”.

However, the Oregon-based company manufactures many of its products in countries significantly affected by President Trump’s import levies.

Vietnam and China are key Nike production hubs

Per Sportico, Nike made 50% of its footwear and 28% of its apparel in Vietnam in the 2024 financial year - more than any other country.

Products imported to the U.S. from Vietnam are currently subject to a 10% tariff, but this levy is due to rise back to 46% in early July.

In China, meanwhile, Nike produced 18% of its footwear and 16% of its apparel in the 2024 financial year, according to Sportico.

After taking office in January, President Trump embarked on an escalating trade war with China, leading to his April announcement that he was slapping 145% tariffs on goods arriving from the Asian giant.

Earlier this month, his administration then agreed to reduce that import duty to 30% for a 90-day period.

“Existential threat”

Late last month, Nike was one of 76 brands that signed a letter to Trump from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, in which the president was warned that his policy of tariffs on foreign imports poses an “existential threat” to the U.S. footwear industry.

“Unlike some industries, we make items Americans must purchase and cannot finance,” the FDRA said. “This means we generally cannot make our products at such high price points and bake in the costs of these tariffs.”

The letter went on: “These tariffs will not drive shoe manufacturing back to the U.S. It takes significant capital investment and years of planning to shift sourcing.”