Plaintiffs allege Nike raised prices by up to $10 to offset $1bn in tariffs later invalidated by the US Supreme Court.
Nike faces a proposed US class action lawsuit accusing the company of increasing prices to cover $1bn in tariffs on imported goods. The tariffs, imposed under the Trump administration, were struck down by the US Supreme Court in February. Plaintiffs claim Nike raised footwear prices by $5 to $10 and apparel prices by $2 to $10 to offset costs, without committing to refund consumers after the tariffs were invalidated.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Portland, Oregon, argues Nike could recover the same tariff payments twice—once from consumers through higher prices and again from the federal government via refunds. Similar cases have been filed against Costco and EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses, over tariff-related pricing changes. The complaint highlights Nike’s lack of a legally binding commitment to return overcharges to shoppers.
The case adds to Nike’s legal challenges, which include ongoing regulatory scrutiny. The outcome could set a precedent for how companies handle tariff-related price adjustments and potential refunds to consumers.