Nike "has been quietly making plans to launch an online
store to sell its footwear and apparel," according to
Bernhard Warner of the INDUSTRY STANDARD. Sources say that
Niketown.com, the possible site name, "could be open as soon
as next month." Nike Senior Corporate Communications
Manager Vada Manager would not confirm the online plans,
saying only e-commerce was "something in the test tube" and
that Nike "is in the laboratory right now." Warner reports
that Niketown.com is "expected to carry a small number of
products, including the company's new Alpha Project." Nike
has been "collecting names and e-mail addresses of
interested consumers," but one source said that the company
"has yet to resolve questions about order fulfillment" for
the site. Warner wrote that Nike's entry "could have a
profound impact on what has otherwise been a sleepy e-
commerce category," as only K-Swiss and Skechers USA are
selling products online. Reebok is "investigating" its e-
commerce plans but "insists it won't speed up its plans
now." Reebok Dir of Interactive Marketing Marvin Chow:
"Sure it will have some effect, but we don't model our
business on what Nike does" (INDUSTRY STANDARD, 1/22).
