Florida Probes Alleged Price Fixing by Nike
Athletic shoemaker Nike Inc. is under investigation by the Florida attorney general’s office for allegedly fixing the retail price of shoes and clothing.
Nike received a notice of a civil investigation in January “in regards to issues of pricing of products at retail,” said company spokesman Vada Manager.
The shoemaker denies the allegations and is “cooperating fully,” Manager said.
Major sporting-goods retailers are being asked by Florida’s attorney general whether Nike withheld items because its so-called marquee shoes weren’t being sold at prices the company considered suitable.
Joann Carrin, spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, said she couldn’t confirm or deny the investigation because the antitrust statute prohibits it.
The probe comes amid an intensifying battle between Nike and Foot Locker Inc., its biggest U.S. customer.
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