Nike’s Online Customers Can Step Into Designer’s Shoes

Nike Inc. is giving customers a shot at being the next Michael Jordan--not a chance to play pro basketball, but to design their own sneakers.

The company on Monday launched a new division called NIKEiD that will let buyers customize two shoe models on Nike’s Internet site (https://www.nike .com), the footwear and apparel giant said.

For $10 above the retail price, NIKEiD customers can choose the colors on either the Air Turbulence running shoe or the Air Famished cross trainer and emblazon them with a name or slogan of up to eight characters.

The customer will view the personalized shoe on the screen and watch it change with each selection.

“NIKEiD brings us back to our roots when we designed and sold shoes one by one, out of the trunk of my old Plymouth,” said Nike Chief Executive Phil Knight.

The customized sneakers will be delivered two to three weeks after ordering and will cost $85 for the Air Turbulence and $80 for the Air Famished, plus a shipping fee.

At first, NIKEiD will be available only in the United States, with a maximum of 400 orders a day.

Nike’s retail outlets and distributors will not sell the customized sneakers, but Knight said he believes their sales will ultimately grow as a result of Nike’s online efforts.

Shares in Nike fell 69 cents to close at $48.56 on the New York Stock Exchange.

“Some of the studies that we’ve had done show that a good retailer will increase sales about 30% based on what the Internet era is going to make available to him, which is basically fast fill-ins on products he isn’t normally able to carry, such as wrestling shoes or volleyball shoes or odd-size shoes,” Knight said.

He noted that Nike sells about 200 million pairs of shoes in “a good year.”

Knight declined to discuss potential profit margins for NIKEiD other than to say it will not make money at first.

“Obviously, like all things Internet, you start out losing money, and I’m sure we’ll be able to meet that goal,” Knight quipped.