Nike is pulling some of its items off local stores shelves. The move, while completely legal, is a crushing blow to small retailers in the Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey areas.
According to CBS3, select area stores have been informed that as of June 30, Nike is “exercising its right to terminate your accounts.†The notice lists “no reasons whatsoever†as to why Nike is severing ties with retailers in the Philadelphia and Camden areas, but some have speculated that a Niketown Outlet will be coming to the area.
Currently, small “mom-and-pop” shops like Top Shoes, Center City Sports and Shoe Plus are among the only known stores affected by the notice.
Keith Sherman, the store manager of one of three Real McCoy Athletic Footwear locations says Nike products account for 75 to 80 percent of his stores sales. He adds that Real McCoy Athletic Footwear has been doing “good business†with Nike for over 23 years.
In a statement Nike said:
“Nike is constantly evaluating its distribution needs with a view to enhancing its brand. This includes adapting our distribution strategy to the changes in our consumers’ purchasing behavior, the retail landscape, and our brand strategy.â€