Leading sneaker brands face major sale declines. Due to the devastating COVID-19 impact on worldwide industries. With global economic recession taking its toll on the human population and global businesses, the sneaker industry has taken an estimated 70-75% hit in sales. As of April in comparison to April 2019. Nike, behind the popular Nike face mask, is expecting a $3.5 billion loss and a 75% sales decline for the last week of March. Adidas, another leading sneaker brand which claimed to “freeze” rent payments in Germany, takes a major 80+% sales hit. Yet, as dramatic declines continue to hit sneaker brands, with the holiday season posing as a tipping point in the sale scale, brands persist to support COVID-19 heroes toward a brighter future!
Nike Tops Sneaker Brands With Unmatched COVID-19 Response Efforts
Nike Tops Sneaker Brands With Unmatched COVID-19 Response EffortsNike’s COVID-19 response efforts have been unmatched in the sneaker industry. With full-on dedication to manufacturing Nike face masks, Nike foundation has also committed more than $17 million in support of its communities. And COVID-19 heroes! Visit Nike’s Purpose Site for full details on communal support and “stay active” platforms!
Nike Face Mask is Actually a Face Shield!
Although it’s commonly known as a Nike face mask, Nike is actually creating face shields and other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE). Made from Nike Air padding and sole materials for COVID-19 frontline workers.
“Collar padding once destined for shoes is repurposed; cords originally earmarked for apparel reconsidered; and, most important, the TPU component of a Nike signature— the Nike Air soles—reimagined,” Nike wrote on Nike News.
In March, Nike CEO John Donahoe announced that Nike was prototyping face shields with health professionals at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). OHSU shared its face shield concept with Nike’s product team. And after following a nine-step manufacturing process, it was put into action using 3 Nike Air materials. Since Nike and OHSU’s main goal was practicality, they created a high-functioning shield that is easy to use. Nike’s support plan also includes creating new lenses for powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) helmets. Also using sneaker materials! To protect workers from airborne pathogen exposure and infected patients.
“Companies like Nike need to do our part.” Nike CEO John Donahoe
“We are forever grateful to the commitment of our colleagues at Nike, as their dedication to our united effort will help save lives.” OHSU President Danny Jacobs
Nike donated the first shipment of face shields in support of OHSU health workers on April 3. And is currently providing equipment to health systems in Oregon, Boston, Tennessee, and Cleveland. By inventively repurposing the materials made to support feet, Nike’s face shield now adds an extra layer of confidence. To help frontline workers “just do it.”
Other Footwear Brands Responding to COVID-19 Along Nike Face Mask!
Although it initially mistook the health warning as one that “requires courage,” its Carbon collaboration to manufacture face shields in support of COVID-19 frontline workers has set Three Stripes back on track. With over 50,000 3D-printed face shields manufactured per week! Adidas Yeezy, on the other hand, seems to leave all COVID-19 responses in the hands of Kanye West. The last record of a Yeezy face mask was a custom-made mask by a Chinese designer in 2016.
As one of the top sneaker brand contributors, New Balance were able to shift to manufacturing face masks using sneaker materials in less than two weeks. With the goal to combat global face mask shortage. 100,000 weekly productions are made with the best materials! As communicated to Business Insider. Unlike Nike face masks, they appear to be made from high quality soft materials.
So far, Allbirds has given $500,000 worth of Wool Runners to health-care workers.
Nurse Shoes Join Forces!
Top nurses shoe brands like Crocs, Dansko, and Nurses Mates have joined forces to help heal the world! Crocs is committed to donating 100,000 pairs across health-care organizations. And Dansko and Nurse Mates are making immediate cash donations to hospitals. And also donating free pairs to health-care workers!
Now and always, we need to take care of each other. Sending love to you, #CrocNation 💚 And sending free shoes to our frontline heroes in healthcare. Visit https://t.co/xNp6I2aRd8 to request your pair. #CrocsCares pic.twitter.com/G4fyLe0kQq
— Crocs (@Crocs) March 25, 2020
Is It Late to Shield the Sneaker Industry in 2020?
Nike and other footwear brands are doing what they can to support COVID-19 workers. Whether through a Nike face mask, donations, or equipment production! But with continuous declines in profit, how long will these contributions last? And with social distance shopping predicted to be the post-COVID-19 norm, are brands prepared for change? As a result of the drop in consumer confidence. Nike has already posted a 5% revenue bounce in China. And its solid digital business has accelerated. Mainly due to the Consumer Direct Offense it launched in 2017. And although 59.1% of individuals surveyed by Coresight Research have increased e-commerce shopping, 39.8% of consumers have cut back on apparel/footwear shopping. So, whether footwear brands accomplish their fourth quarter goals in time for the holidays or not, the change in consumer priorities may tip the scale for the coming months.
It’s Never Late to Prove Brand Loyalty!
The sneaker industry has been through thick and thin. But never this bad that fast. Now is the time to prove loyalty. By helping our brands help us out of this crisis! AIO bot also hopes to make your lockdown and copping experience easier by extending all keys, valid and expired, to help you stay in the game while you stay at home!
Protect your home & disinfect your shoes!