Nike is planning to release new running shoes this year. In 2024, Nike fell behind competitors such as Asics and Adidas in the launch of running shoes. BMO analysts are optimistic about Nike’s 2025 lineup despite past performance challenges.
Nike’s shoe competitors have struggled in 2024, so expectations are high for the sportswear giant this year.
Most shoe brands launched at least six types of shoes in 2024, according to BMO data. Asics, Adidas, Brooks Running, and Hoka led the way in launching running shoes, while Nike had fewer than six.
As part of its efforts to boost sales, Nike is going back to basics. That includes redefining ourselves as a running brand. In order to stay competitive, we need to prove this by 2025.
According to BMO, ASICS introduced 11 new or updated performance running models last year, while Adidas and Brooks launched or updated their performance running models 10 and 9 times. Nike only updated its running shoe lineup and did not release any new models.
Nike has announced that the Pegasus Premium will be released in late January and the Vomero 18 in late February. He said the Vomero Plus, Vomero Premium, and new Structure models will arrive in “second half of 2025.”
BMO retail analysts say the lineup makes Nike’s 2025 release schedule “look more promising.” The company’s new product line received positive reactions from consumers and industry participants when it was unveiled at the Running Event trade show in November.
“We believe that changes in NKE are a matter of when, not if, attractive products begin to emerge,” BMO analysts wrote.
Brands like On running and Hoka have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Brooks announced it achieved record quarterly sales this summer, adding that North American sales rose 19% in the second quarter.
Nike brought veteran employee Elliot Hill over from retirement as CEO in October, and he has plenty of work to do. Nike brand sales rose just 1% in the latest fiscal year, partially due to lower sales in North America.
The company acknowledges that it will take time to see the desired results.
“Recovery at this scale will take time, but from momentum in major sports to an accelerated pace of newness and innovation,” Matthew Friend, Nike’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call. , we can see an early victory.” .
