The sneaker game is constantly changing and the brands are always looking for advantages in ways they reach customers. As many of us have noticed, brands are favoring the shops within shops concept like Jordan Brand's Flight 23 and Under Armour's The Armoury. While those brands have taken partnerships with "big box" stores such as Finishline and Foot Locker Inc, the local "Mom & Pop" shops are being left out. One shop is aiming to change all that as they have flexed a bit of legal muscle and taken Nike to court over the Swoosh's lack of product as well as support.
New Bedford, MA's Carter's Clothing & Footwear has been in a battle with Nike since March 2013. Nike sent a letter to the family owned business letting them know that it would be terminating their account and would have their product pulled from Carter's shelves. The family took to the courts and was shot down but the Federal Trade Comission has decided to listen to their appeal which states that the Swoosh unfairly terminated their relationship. Anyone would be upset, especially since Carter's has been carrying the Beaverton brand's products for 28 years, basically since Nike themselves were still a hot shot upstart company gaining ground in the market.
The family hopes to have their case heard in local courts instead of having to play ball in Nike's home turf of Oregon, which would be a disadvantage to them since they not only would have to spend money flying back and forth but also because of the home field advantage that the brand would seemingly have. If the Government opens an invetigation and finds wrong doing on Nike's part, it could signal a huge victory for small businesses who could easily be crushed by the Giant sneaker and sportswear corporations.
What do you guys think about this whole situation? Will you be rooting for the underdog shop or will your loyalty to the Swoosh win out? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to keep it locked to SneakerShouts for all updates in this case.
Source: SouthCoastToday