Nike has selected JD Sports And Zalando as its first European partners for its Connected Partnership loyalty program, enabling its customers to access Nike member products and experiences.
The Connected Partnership launched last November with Dick’s Sporting Goods in the U.S. with partnerships later formed with TopSport and Pou Sheng in China.
Nike’s Connected Partnership offers customers shopping third-party retailers to buy select Nike member-only footwear and apparel when they opt to link their Nike membership account through the third-party retailer’s mobile app.
JD Sports’ program will initially be available in the UK, and it is the first European retailer with physical stores to join the program.
Régis Schultz, CEO of JD Sports, said: “JD and Nike have a long and successful history of working together as strategic partners to bring customers an exceptional product offering and seamless omnichannel experience. This mutually beneficial partnership enhances our strong customer connections through best-in-class retail experiences and early access both in-store and online to a select range of additional Nike products.
“This partnership, the first to launch in Europe, amplifies the combined strength of the Nike and JD brands with our shared consumers by leaning into their behavior and journeys and creating new, richer and more engaging experiences. It provides further opportunity to inspire the emerging generation of aspirational consumers, who can continue to feel confident that they are being offered the very best of Nike products when shopping at JD,” continued Schultz.
Carl Grebert, vice president and general manager of the EMEA of Nike, said: “Nike’s brand is amplified when we work with like-minded partners to serve those who love sport. Linking up with JD enables us to further extend the best selection of innovative sport performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel from Nike, with the power of digital and physical retail. Connected partnerships allow us to know and serve Nike members across the marketplace; however, wherever and whenever they shop Nike. We aim to serve JD members with compelling connected member benefits and distinctive experiences.”
At Zalando, one of Europe’s leading fashion and lifestyle platforms, Nike’s Connected Partnership program will start gradually across ten European countries, beginning with Austria in October. The countries include Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy, and Poland.
“Nike has always been an important partner in delivering customer excitement and inspiration for Zalando. We are thrilled to now take this partnership to the next level by offering our customers exclusive benefits when shopping for Nike on our platform,” says David Schneider, Zalando Co-CEO. “As the starting point for fashion and lifestyle, we want to provide customers with best-in-class experiences and flawless choices. Engaging in this new connected partnership, we strengthen our efforts to best serve Zalando customers with Nike’s innovative sport lifestyle footwear and apparel, compelling connected member benefits, and distinctive experiences.”
