“At Nike, adversity has always been a catalyst for innovation and fueled our competitive separation, and the past two years have been no different,” says Campion. “The challenges and constraints imposed by the pandemic have driven our teams to transform how we serve consumers through the implementation of new technology platforms, automation and process improvement in our operations.”
Using AI and machine learning, Nike is leveraging technology to forward-position the products that consumers love most and deliver faster, more precisely, and without comprising sustainability. In addition to the use of regional service centers, services such as Buy Online, Pick Up in Store (BOPIS), Ship to Store, the No Rush Shipping option for consumers prioritizing sustainability, and Direct Order Drop are helping ensure consumers have, as Campion says, what they want, when and where they want it.
Within distribution centers, Nike has also deployed more than 1,000 “cobots” (collaborative robots) to aid Nike teammates in the sorting, packing and movement of products, increasing speed in order processing, alleviating physical challenges and allowing teammates to focus on higher-value activities.
