Businessweek

NIKE, Inc. engages in the design, development, and marketing of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services for men, women, and children worldwide. The company sells its products to retail accounts, through NIKE-owned retail stores and Internet sales, and through a mix of independent distributors and licensees, in approximately 190 countries worldwide. As of May 31, 2012, it operated 384 retail stores in the United States and 442 retail stores internationally. Products The company focuses its product offerings on seven key categories: running, basketball, football (soccer), men’s training, women’s training, NIKE sportswear (its sports-inspired products), and action sports. The company also markets products designed for kids, as well as for other athletic and recreational uses, such as baseball, cricket, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, football (American), tennis, volleyball, walking, and wrestling. The company's athletic footwear products are designed primarily for specific athletic use. It sells sports apparel and accessories covering various categories, as well as athletic bags and accessory items. Its apparel and accessories feature the same trademarks and are sold through the same marketing and distribution channels. The company markets footwear, apparel, and accessories in ‘collections’ of similar use or by category. It also markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. The company sells a line of performance equipment under the NIKE Brand name, including bags, socks, sport balls, eyewear, timepieces, digital devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and other equipment designed for sports activities. It also sells small amounts of various plastic products to other manufacturers through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NIKE IHM, Inc. NIKE IHM, Inc. supplies the Air-Sole cushioning components used in footwear. In addition to the products the company sells directly to customers through its direct to consumer operations, the company has entered into license agreements that permit unaffiliated parties to manufacture and sell certain apparel, digital devices and applications and other equipment designed for sports activities. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cole Haan (Cole Haan), designs and distributes dress and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories for men and women under the Cole Haan trademark. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Converse Inc. (Converse), designs, distributes, and licenses athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories under the Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Star Chevron, and Jack Purcell trademarks. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Hurley International LLC (Hurley), designs and distributes a line of action sports and youth lifestyle apparel and accessories under the Hurley trademark. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Umbro International Limited (Umbro), designs, distributes, and licenses athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and equipment, primarily for the sport of football (soccer), under the Umbro trademark. Markets The company offers its products primarily in North America, western Europe, central and eastern Europe, Greater China, Japan, and emerging markets. Its international branch offices and subsidiaries are located in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vietnam. Trademarks and Patents The company’s NIKE and Swoosh Design are registered in approximately 150 jurisdictions. It has a worldwide license to make and sell footwear using patented ‘Air’ technology. The company also has various U.S. and foreign utility patents, and U.S. and foreign design patents covering components, manufacturing techniques and features used in various athletic and leisure shoes, apparel, athletic equipment, digital devices, and golf products. Competition The company's competitors include Adidas and Puma. History NIKE, Inc. was founded in 1964. The company was incorporated in 1968 under the laws of the state of Oregon.