As Nike cuts 775 jobs, what does it mean for Memphis and Mid-South?

Update: This story has been updated to reflect the number of jobs Nike will eliminate in Memphis and to add comments from the Greater Memphis Chamber.

Nike is planning significant layoffs in the Mid-South.

Nike representatives confirmed that approximately 775 jobs will be affected by a planned consolidation at the company’s distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi.

Of the jobs eliminated, 583 will be at two Memphis facilities — 3100 New Frayser Blvd. and 5151 Shelby Drive, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice filed Jan. 27 with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The breakdown of layoffs at each site was not included in the notice.

The layoffs will take effect April 3.

Nike representatives provided this statement regarding the roughly 775 job cuts:

“To power our Win Now actions, we’re taking steps to strengthen and streamline our operations so we can move faster, operate with greater discipline, and better serve athletes and consumers. We are sharpening our supply chain footprint, accelerating the use of advanced technology and automation, and investing in the skills our teams need for the future. Our actions to consolidate our operations footprint primarily impact our  US distribution operations. These actions are designed to reduce complexity, improve flexibility, and build a more responsive, resilient, responsible, and efficient operation and to support our path back to long-term, profitable growth, including contributing to improved EBIT margins over time.”

As of the morning of Jan. 28, no WARN notice had been filed with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

In 2024, Nike had approximately 6,000 employees within the Memphis area, according to data from the Greater Memphis Chamber.

“Nike remains a dedicated anchor institution in the Raleigh-Frayser neighborhood and a deeply charitable partner to the many community organizations they support,” Greater Memphis Chamber representatives said in a statement. “This decision does not diminish their investment in our city or that neighborhood; rather, it ensures they remain a strong, competitive partner for years to come.”

The Chamber oversees the Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Area rapid response team which aids with employee services after a WARN filing.

“Our priority is helping ensure these individuals have immediate access to job placement assistance, upskilling programs, and the resources necessary to transition into new opportunities within our growing economy,” Greater Memphis Chamber representatives said.

In October 2012, Nike was awarded a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) from the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE) for a $301 million investment between two facilities. The EDGE tax incentive included an expansion at its 3100 New Frayser Blvd. facility in North Memphis, along with improvements at the company’s 5151 Shelby Drive facility. The investment was expected to create more than 250 jobs at the Frayser Boulevard site.

Nike is trying to reestablish itself as the world’s leading sportswear brand after losing market share to rivals. It has undergone several rounds of layoffs in recent years.

In August, it cut a little less than 1% of its corporate workforce as part of its turnaround efforts under CEO Elliott Hill, who took over the top job in 2024.

It had previously announced it would cut 2% of its jobs — more than 1,600 in total — in February 2024.

The latest job cuts were first reported by CNBC on Jan. 26.

Notable closures and corporate layoffs around Memphis

The Nike announcement continues a recent trend of layoffs among some of Memphis’ largest employers. In 2025, WARN notices resulted in more than 1,300 jobs lost in Shelby County.

Last year, Georgia-Pacific announced plans to close two of its Memphis facilities, eliminating more than 150 jobs. Additionally, FedEx Supply Chain announced more than 600 layoffs in Memphis in August 2025.

Several notable companies, including Chicago-based Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. announced plans to close their Memphis facilities. The closures eliminated 215 total jobs.

Memphis-based International Paper also has undergone significant downsizing since October 2024. In 2025, the company announced the closures of several facilities nationwide and more than 600 layoffs in Memphis.

This story was originally published by The Commercial Appeal.