Nike officially announced the elimination of approximately 1,400 jobs globally on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This move is the second major round of layoffs for the company this year and represents just under 2% of its global workforce.
The decision was communicated via an internal memo from Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy as part of the “final stretch” of the company’s “Win Now” turnaround strategy.
1. Targeted Areas: A Tech-Heavy Cull
The restructuring is specifically designed to reduce complexity and “re-center” the brand on performance sports.
- Technology Hubs: The majority of the 1,400 cuts will impact the Global Operations and Technology teams. Nike is consolidating its tech footprint into two primary hubs: the World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, and the Nike India Technology Center.
- Air Manufacturing: Staffing levels are being adjusted at Air Manufacturing Innovation (AMI) facilities in Beaverton, St. Louis, and Vietnam to improve resiliency and modernize production.
- Converse: Some manufacturing and engineering resources for the Converse brand are being moved closer to factory partners to better align with the broader Nike supply chain.
- Materials Integration: The company is moving its materials-focused teams to sit closer to the footwear and apparel supply chain units for “faster, more synchronized decision-making.”
2. Strategic Context: The “Elliott Hill” Era
This round of layoffs follows a period of “sluggish sales” and increased competition from nimbler rivals like On and Hoka.
- Turnaround Plan: CEO Elliott Hill, who took over in 2024, is pushing to move away from an over-reliance on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales and back toward strong wholesale partnerships.
- Financial Pressure: Nike has forecast a 2% to 4% drop in sales for the current quarter, with its primary trouble spot, China, expected to see a 20% decline.
- 2026 Layoff History: This 1,400-person cut follows a round of 775 layoffs in January 2026 (focused on automation) and 411 job cuts in March at its European logistics center in Belgium.
3. Impact on Operations in India
While global headcount is shrinking, India remains a critical growth pillar for Nike’s technical infrastructure.
- The Nike India Technology Center has been designated as one of only two global technology hubs surviving the consolidation. This suggests that while overall operations roles are being cut, specialized engineering talent in India will remain central to the company’s “leaner” future.