Nike SWOT analysis 2016

: NIKE: Style & Sports

Below is presented a detailed SWOT analysis of Nike highlighting the brand's special strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

---

Strengths:

Brand image
International presence
stylish and athletic designs
high quality products

Among the most important strengths of the Nike brand are its brand image, popularity and its international presence. In the sports gear and apparel category Nike is among the most well-known brands. It has distinctly positioned itself in the category of an athletic brand. However, the popularity of its brand name is mainly for the exquisite quality of its products. Nike also makes heavy investments into research and development. The strength of the brand can be measured by that of its logo and the slogan. Nike has retained its top position in the sports shoe category. Customers are attracted towards the brand for its sporty products. Nike's products are also known for being stylish, good in quality as well as fashionable. In this regard, Nike has proved to be the most loved brand. Its growth has been supported by both fashion and sports trends.

Weaknesses:

lack of stable production units
environmental issues down the supply chain

Nike is facing high competitive pressure. Moreover, it does not have stable production units like most of its competitors. The brand has been labelled as a sports brand. However, it needs to make a switch from purely sports to a more fashionable look given the newest trends. The environmental impact of the brand is also a weakness that it needs to address. The environmental impact of its suppliers has given rise to major protests in the past.

Opportunities:

2016 olympics
product line extension
Athleisure trends

Apart from the 2016 Olympics, the trends towards fashionable sports gear have supported the growth of the brand. Nike is among the most loved sports wear brands. Its shoe designs and qualities are highly popular. However, it also has a huge opportunity open before it in the form of product extension. It can extend its products to new categories like sunglasses as well as other fashion accessories. On top of all, it can further focus upon the design and look of its products to make them more suitable for the athleisure fans.

Threats:

Increasing competition
economic fluctuations
questions regarding eco-friendliness of supply chain

The main threat to the brand comes from its competitors. The brands like Adidas and Reebok are using quite aggressive techniques to beat Nike. Coupled with these things are the fluctuations in the international economic environment which also pose a major threat to the brand. Doing business amid dollar fluctuations is not so profitable. Eco-friendliness of its supply chain is another key question before the brand. Nike needs to have a eco-friendly supply chain otherwise its reputation is threatened.

Recommendation:

Nike should focus on making its products more trendy and fashionable to make the best of the new trends and opportunities. Apart from that, it can also use the 2016 Olympics to better showcase the brand and its products. However, the brand should focus on the changing trends. Its products are suitable for athletic purposes. However, it can further innovate their design and style to make them suitable for the evolving athleisure market.

['SWOT' is an acronym for Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is a powerful strategic management tool that can help to know one's important strengths and weaknesses and to exploit the opportunities. It can also help counter the threats. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors and opportunities and threats external. So basically, SWOT is a tool designed to help you reduce your weaknesses and counter the threats. This can improve the business' chances of success. Companies conduct a SWOT before they embark on a new strategy or before they make an important business move like investing in a new project.]

Other SWOTs, you may also check, COSTCO, Apple, Coca Cola, Walmart, Microsoft, Ford, Toyota.

Sources: https://beta.fortune.com/fortune500/nike-91