Nike Inc. Air Jordan Sneakers: Overview

Nike Inc. Air Jordan Sneakers Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Nike Inc. Air Jordan Sneakers Company Overview Nike Inc. is a leading apparel and footwear company that was incorporated in 1969. The company’s main functions include designing, developing, marketing and distributing sports apparel and footwear. The company also provides sports services, equipment, and other accessories. Nike has set up various shops across East, West and Central Europe as well as North America and other parts of Japan and China (Ahmed, Brohi, Bhutto & Abbas, 2016). The main brands owned by the company include the Converse, Hurley, Jordan Brand and the NIKE brand. Manufacturing of these brands is carried out by independent contractors. However, the sale of the products is done through the company’s online store, retail stores, and accounts, and licensed independent retailers who are spread across the globe. Additionally, the company also sells its products using direct to consumer operations using its distribution centers, which are located in various parts of the world apart from the U.S. Nike Inc. headquarters is located on a four hundred acre piece of land in Beaverton, Oregon. During the end of the financial year June 2016, Nike sold 46% of its products in the U.S., 12% in China, 18% in Western Europe, 3% in Japan, 4% in Central and Eastern Europe and 11% in the upcoming markets across the world (Ahmed, Brohi, Bhutto & Abbas, 2016). This means that the United States accounts for a majority of its sales and for this reason, it has set up a full product distribution line in parts of Tennessee, Memphis, and other locations. Nike Inc. has also leased its distribution centers in the United States and other centers outside of the U.S. (Ahmed, Brohi, Bhutto & Abbas, 2016). Product Overview The Jordan brand is part of Nike Inc., which produces apparels and basketball shoes (Andrews & Jackson, 2001). The brand was formed in early 1984 through Nike’s partnership with a retired professional basketball player, Michael Jordan (Andrews & Jackson, 2001). The partnership led to the design of the Air Jordan 1 sneakers, which was specifically made for the professional basketball player. From the manufacture of first Air Jordan sneakers, the brand has released several models of the sneaker shoes up to date. The Jordan brand has been sponsored by various basketball players, who enabled the brand to make a significant amount of sales over the years. The players act as an inspiration for the majority of basketball lovers and for this reason, the brand is able to attract both players and fans. Since the Air Jordan sneakers were designed for basketball, the brand has mostly focused on athletic players and teams as the main markets for its products. Judging by its online store, the Jordan brand also targets all age groups, ranging from toddlers to adults. Their sneakers come in a variety of different colors and shapes, and they are available in male and female designs. The price of the sneakers is approximately $400 for adults and $45 for children, which would mean that the company targets the middle and upper-class individuals (Nike, 2018). The distribution of the Air Jordan sneakers is done through Nike’s licensed independent distributors, the company...