Once again, Nike is dealing with a major theft as approximately $200,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from an employee store in Memphis early Thursday morning, according to local law enforcement. The robbery occurred at the store in Frayser, as reported by Fox 13 Memphis.
The incident was first noticed by a store security guard, who was on her break inside her car. Around 4 AM local time this morning, she was startled by a "loud boom." While investigating the noise, she claims she saw a man prying open a storage trailer door behind the store. Shortly after, she says, several other individuals began moving items out of the trailer.
Reacting promptly, the security guard called her supervisor, leading to the Memphis Police Department being alerted. When police officers arrived at the scene, they witnessed five cars, all with their headlights turned off, and one pickup truck hastily departing from the store's vicinity.
One of the officers noted that the back gate chain appeared to have been forcibly cut. Numerous boxes were scattered across the parking lot beside the ransacked storage trailer.
This theft is part of a broader issue in the retail industry, as reports came forward in August that Nike sneakers are being stolen at every point in the supply chain, and theft is up by 63%. Many of these widely reported incidents have occurred in Memphis, Tennessee, including last year’s heist that saw $800K worth of sneakers and apparel and a recent $400K theft. The city is a central shipping hub for Nike and is home to one of the largest Nike distribution centers in the world.
The recurring thefts, especially in Memphis, underscore a pressing challenge for Nike. With robberies escalating in retail locations and throughout the entire supply chain, the brand and local authorities must amplify their security measures. Memphis, a pivotal distribution hub for Nike, is inevitably in the spotlight, and addressing these incidents effectively is crucial to deter potential future thefts and ensure the brand's integrity. The retail industry, and brands like Nike in particular, must adapt swiftly to confront this rising tide of organized crime.
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
