Adidas is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by its investors over the company’s cancelled partnership with rapper Kanye West. The investors argue that Adidas should have been aware of West’s controversial statements and failed to control the damage linked to the tie-up. The lawsuit represents people who bought Adidas shares between May 3, 2018, and February 21, 2023.
Adidas had partnered with Kanye West to launch its first Yeezy shoe in 2015, which turned out to be highly successful and went on to make West a billionaire. However, the partnership ended abruptly in October 2022 after West made a series of anti-Semitic outbursts. In response, Adidas ended the production of the Yeezy line designed together with West.
The investors in the class-action lawsuit argue that West had started to accrue controversy as a result of his various statements on topics such as slavery, racial issues, and politics for years before the partnership ended. For instance, in 2018, West suggested that slavery had been a “choice” for enslaved people. The investors claim that Adidas should have been aware of West’s controversial statements and should have taken steps to control the damage that the partnership could have caused.
Adidas has dismissed the allegations in the litigation, stating that they firmly reject the unfounded claims and will take all necessary steps to defend themselves against them. The company has a reputation to uphold, and as such, they will do everything in their power to protect their brand image.
The Yeezy line designed by West was a significant source of revenue for Adidas, and the company is now in a difficult situation, as it is trying to decide what to do with the huge inventory of Yeezy products that it has. Not selling the apparel and shoes linked to West would lead to a revenue loss of 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), which would lower the company’s operating profit by an additional 500 million euros in 2023.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Adidas is facing stiff competition from other sportswear companies, such as Nike and Puma. These companies are constantly innovating and launching new products to capture market share. Adidas needs to make a swift decision about what to do with the Yeezy inventory and move forward with its business strategy.
Adidas is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by its investors over its cancelled partnership with Kanye West. The investors argue that Adidas should have been aware of West’s controversial statements and should have taken steps to control the damage linked to the tie-up. Adidas has dismissed the allegations in the litigation and is now trying to decide what to do with the huge inventory of Yeezy products that it has. Not selling the apparel and shoes linked to West would lead to a significant revenue loss for the company. Adidas needs to make a swift decision about what to do with the Yeezy inventory and move forward with its business strategy to remain competitive in the sportswear market.
In addition to the Yeezy inventory dilemma, Adidas is also facing a tough competition from other sportswear companies. Nike, for instance, has been gaining significant market share in recent years, especially in the US market. Nike’s strategy of investing in technology and innovation has paid off, and the company has launched several successful products, such as the Nike Air Max and the Nike Flyknit.
To remain competitive, Adidas needs to innovate and come up with new products that appeal to its target audience. The company has already launched several successful products, such as the Adidas Ultraboost and the Adidas NMD. However, it needs to keep innovating and stay ahead of the competition.
One way Adidas can do this is by leveraging the power of social media. Social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, have become increasingly popular in recent years, and they offer a unique opportunity for sportswear companies to connect with their target audience. Adidas could partner with social media influencers and create content that resonates with its audience, which would help to build brand loyalty and drive sales.
Another way Adidas can stay ahead of the competition is by investing in sustainability. Sustainability has become a significant issue for consumers, and they are increasingly looking for products that are environmentally friendly. Adidas has already made strides in this area, such as by launching the Adidas Parley line, which uses recycled plastic to make shoes and apparel. The company could expand its sustainability efforts and position itself as a leader in this area.
In conclusion, Adidas is facing a class-action lawsuit over its cancelled partnership with Kanye West, and the company is now in a difficult situation as it tries to decide what to do with the Yeezy inventory. However, Adidas needs to move forward and focus on its business strategy to remain competitive in the sportswear market. The company needs to innovate, leverage the power of social media, and invest in sustainability to stay ahead of the competition. If Adidas can do this successfully, it will be able to maintain its position as one of the top sportswear companies in the world.
