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Nike expands its presence in Brazil after renewing distribution contract with Grupo SBF until 2034. The U.S. brand opened a new store in São Paulo and is preparing more openings for 2027, while its rivals accelerate the expansion of their own stores. September 23, 2026 | 09:01 AM Bloomberg Línea - Nike reached a total of 53 stores in Brazil, at the same time that the U.S. brand renewed its distribution contract with Grupo SBF (SBFG3), owner of Centauro, until 2034, and saw rivals such as On Running, Skechers and Hoka multiply their own stores in the country. The addendum to the contract was signed on August 28 by Fisia, a subsidiary of Grupo SBF and exclusive distributor of Nike in Brazil. The document extends the term, originally established in December 2020, until May 31, 2034, and includes an automatic renewal clause: each year, Fisia and Nike will negotiate a 12-month extension. The measure increases the predictability of the partnership from five to seven years, according to a material fact statement signed by José Luís Magalhães Salazar, chief financial and investor relations officer of Grupo SBF. The contract guarantees Fisia three roles in Nike's operations in Brazil. The company exclusively distributes footwear, clothing, accessories and equipment for the brand. It exclusively operates the nike.com.br website and manages Nike's monobrand physical stores in the country. New openings in 2027. The newest store, located in the Shopping Anália Franco mall - an asset of Multiplan (MULT3) - in the east side of São Paulo, has 981 m^2 and follows Nike's latest global retail concept, with spaces dedicated to running, soccer, training, lifestyle, the kids' line and Jordan. "This is Nike's 53rd store that we are opening in Brazil and it represents one more important step in our expansion strategy," says Cleber Arcuri, general manager of Fisia, in a statement. According to him, the company is already preparing new openings for 2027. Competition for shelf space in sports footwear has intensified in recent months. The most direct competitive pressure on Nike comes from a specific front: running. It is in this category that specialized brands such as Skechers and Hoka have multiplied their own stores in Brazil. Skechers, the world's third-largest sneaker manufacturer, has five own stores in Brazil, including a branch also in Anália Franco, and aims to reach 10 by the end of the year, with the goal of surpassing 100 in the long term. The French brand Hoka already operates three own stores in the country: in the Morumbi Shopping mall, in São Paulo; in ParkShopping Barigui, in Curitiba - both owned by Multiplan - and in Shopping Leblon, an asset of Allos (ALOS3) in Rio de Janeiro. The boom in sneakers priced above 1,000 reais (US$194) also extends to lifestyle fashion. Lacoste plans to open at the end of this month an exclusive concept store in Mata Lab, within the Cidade Matarazzo complex, in São Paulo, to launch the Slam Break Premium, sneakers that sell for 1,199 reais (US$232). Grupo SBF's own CEO, Gustavo Furtado, acknowledged to Bloomberg Línea that the opening of own stores by brands such as Skechers, On and Hoka in Brazilian shopping malls represents a challenge for Centauro, although he sees an advantage in the chain's multi-brand model. In this context, the longer contractual term serves as a weapon for Nike. With the term guaranteed until 2034, Fisia gains more time to recoup the investment in each new store before renegotiating with the U.S. brand, precisely when smaller competitors are opening their own stores at an accelerated pace. Challenging retail sector in the half-year. The physical expansion is taking place at a time when shopping malls are gaining relative weight in the Brazilian retail sector. In August, foot traffic in shopping mall stores grew 6.6% compared to the same month in 2025, while street stores recorded a 0.5% decline, according to the IPV (Retail Performance Index) by asset manager HiPartners. Revenue in shopping malls rose 1.7% in the period, in the opposite direction from national revenue, which fell 1.4% with an average ticket 1.3% lower. "The August data show that consumers are still going to stores, but buying more cautiously," says Flávia Pini, a partner at HiPartners, who attributes the disconnect between visits and sales to record household debt and consumer confidence at its lowest level since 2022.

Nike and Zellerfeld unveil the 3d-printed AIRMAX 1000.3 "Stone/Burgundy Crush" The updated 3D-printed silhouette introduces advanced ZellerMESH(TM) fabrication, reduced weight, and enhanced Air unit responsiveness. Summary. Nike Sportswear and Zellerfeld have introduced the AIRMAX 1000.3 in a Stone and Burgundy Crush colorway The third iteration of the fully 3D-printed silhouette features updated ZellerMESH construction for a softer and lighter feel The sneaker drops via US SNKRS on September 24 followed by a global Zellerfeld raffle running through September 28 Nike and Zellerfeld have officially introduced the AIRMAX 1000.3 "Stone/Burgundy Crush", marking the latest evolution of their fully 3D-printed footwear project. Reimagining the iconic design language of the 1987 Air Max 1, the updated silhouette combines a sculpted form with visible Nike Air cushioning. Central to the AIRMAX 1000.3 is the integration of advanced ZellerMESH(TM) technology. The updated open-mesh structure delivers a refined textile-like aesthetic while utilizing less material to reduce overall weight, increase breathability, and improve durability. The modified mesh flexes naturally across the lateral sides, replacing previous feathered paneling with a more adaptive fit. Underfoot, the 3D-printed midsole has been softened to allow the visible Nike Air unit to activate more fully during movement, delivering enhanced responsiveness underfoot. The exterior presents a muted "Stone" upper contrasted by a "Burgundy Crush" Air Max unit, while backend refinements in the digital printing process significantly accelerate production times. The Nike AIRMAX 1000.3 "Stone / Burgundy Crush" launches in the US via Nike SNKRS on September 24, 2026. Global customers can enter the EQL raffle on Zellerfeld, open from September 22 through September 28, 2026.

Lawsuit against Nike, NSAF alleges negligence led to sexual assault at Elite track camp. Vicki M. Young Tue, September 22, 2026 at 10:25 AM PDT Nike and the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) have been sued for negligence on charges of improper supervision of teenage athletes that resulted in the alleged sexual assault of a female participant. The alleged assault occurred during a Nike Elite Program for 40 top high school track-and-field athletes over the July 4 weekend. The track-and-field camp was hosted by Nike at its headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The lawsuit said the both Nike and the NSAF sponsored the camp and provided financial assistance to the athletes that include airfare and hotel accommodations. Twenty male and 20 female high school athletes stayed at a nearby hotel in Beaverton where the alleged assault occurred, according to a federal U.S. district court complaint that was filed on Sept. 16. The lawsuit, filed by Jane Doe and her parents, said that the athletes socialized together at the hotel, with some of the athletes' parents also present but on their own separate itinerary on assurances that the student athletes would have proper supervision by Nike and NSAF staff. The hotel room where the alleged assault occurred was in one of the rooms provided to the athletes by Nike and NSAF. The complaint said a group of athletes Follow Footwear News on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.