Nike announces new research lab to open in Shanghai

Sportswear producer Nike Inc vows to further accelerate its investment and innovation in China by opening a Nike Sport Research Lab next year in Shanghai to drive new product solutions unique for local athletes and consumers, a top executive said on the sidelines of the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Nike plans to open a Nike Sport Research Lab in Shanghai with construction starting in 2024, the first-of-its-kind sport science facility in the country, said Matthew Nurse, vice-president of the Nike Explore Team Sport Research Lab.

Nike is proud to be part of the fabric of China's sport landscape through partnerships at all levels, from getting kids moving in schools to neighborhood run clubs to professional leagues and national federations. With the lab, we will better meet Chinese athletes' holistic needs, he said.

According to Nike, the lab will focus on the unique needs and potential opportunities of various groups in China, including runners and basketball players, utilizing sports technology and local insights to tailor products specifically for Chinese consumers.

This investment comes after their earlier commitment of 1.3 billion yuan ($178.46 million) two years ago to build a technology center, and 660 million yuan last year for the construction of the Nike Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). These investments demonstrate its dedication to better serving the needs of Chinese consumers.

"This investment will not only help us better understand Chinese sports, Chinese consumers and athletes more deeply, but also use that knowledge and insights to drive new product solutions that may be unique for Chinese consumers," said Nurse.

"With an increasing number of Chinese people embracing a more active and healthier lifestyle, the investment is a representation and a continuing part of our strategy of 'a brand of China and for Chinese consumers'. Nike wants to be a part of that fabric and that movement going forward, creating a closer connection between Nike and Chinese consumers."

Nurse expressed confidence in the long-term growth prospects in this market, saying China has long been served as the forefront of Nike's global innovation efforts.

At this year's CIIE, Nike China also announced its partnership with Tsinghua University in the field of sustainable development. The two parties will join hands to initiate "Deep Integration Program for Carbon Neutrality in Industry, Academia and Research", contributing to the green transformation of the industry. The company has set a clear goal for sustainable innovation by fully utilizing renewable energy in their facilities by 2025.