Nike Customers have reportedly filed a lawsuit against the sneaker giant to obtain tariff-related refunds.
The proposed class action accuses Nike of not refunding costs it imposed on consumers at higher prices in response to the so-called “Emancipation Day” tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. I mentioned Friday (May 8).
The plaintiffs argue that the company should not be allowed to keep “substantial” amounts of refunds We can expect after the Supreme Court ruling that He declared the tariffs illegal.
According to Reuters, Nike said it paid about $1 billion in tariffs on imported goods after the White House imposed new tariffs. Consumers say the company has raised prices by $5 to $10 on some shoes and $2 to $10 on some clothing to cover costs.
“Nike has not made any legally binding commitment to return the excess tariff-related fees to consumers who have already paid them,” the complaint states. “Unless restrained by this court, Nike will recover the same tariff payments twice — once from consumers through higher prices and again from the federal government through tariff clawbacks.”
A Nike spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by PYMNTS.
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As covered here last year, Nike was among a group of several “major companies” that “reported.” 9- to 10-digit headwinds Due to customs duties” in the last half of the year.
Other companies Facing legal action From customers Seeking tariff recovery Includes fedex, Costco And the maker of RayBans EssilorLuxottica.
Meanwhile, research by PYMNTS Intelligence cataloged the impact of tariffs on businesses throughout the past year.
For example, surveys conducted in September found that 48% of product executives They said tariffs represent a long-term direction of US policy, while 45% described them as a mix of short- and long-term measures. Only 7% considered it temporary.
Later in the year, 47% of commodity leaders said tariffs were mostly or completely negative for companies’ finances, while 88% were negative. Still anticipating supply chain disruptions. However, about two-thirds of goods companies and 80% of services companies said that tariffs could enhance supply chain resilience over time.
“The data reflects a shift from reaction to normalization,” PYMNTS wrote last month. “Tariffs are now embedded in planning assumptions rather than treated as exogenous shocks. The next stage is less certain. Businesses have adaptedBut the question is whether these adjustments can support renewed growth and not just continued defence.
