Global sportswear manufacturers are rapidly localizing operations as India's athletic footwear market expands toward a projected $9.92 billion by 2034. Nike has introduced an accessible, regionally designed running shoe alongside investments in supply chain modernization and a Bengaluru campus. Meanwhile, key rivals like Asics and Adidas are significantly scaling their regional sourcing and production footprint to capture market share. Running shoes already generated nearly 32 percent of the nation's total athletic footwear sales in 2025.
Key points
Expanding recreational running culture is converting India into a crucial battleground fo…: Expanding recreational running culture is converting India into a crucial battleground for global footwear brands facing broader slowdowns.
Major athletic apparel companies are pairing accessible product pricing with modernized l…: Major athletic apparel companies are pairing accessible product pricing with modernized local supply chains to secure regional dominance.
Competitors are actively increasing domestic Indian manufacturing targets to sustain acce…: Competitors are actively increasing domestic Indian manufacturing targets to sustain accelerated retail distribution and long-term segment growth.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
On Thursday, Nike unveiled its first running shoe designed specifically for India, the Vegam Run, priced at Rs 3,795, or roughly $40. A look at the company's other running shoes shows prices starting at around $50 and going up to $799, placing the new offering at the more accessible end of its range.
Also Read: Nike deepens India push with Vegam Run shoe launch at Rs 3,795 amid global sales slump
The launch comes as global sportswear brands look to capitalise on India's growing running culture, with recreational runners, marathon participation and community-led run clubs creating opportunities beyond traditional sportswear.
For Nike, the India-specific shoe is part of a broader effort to get closer to local consumers. For the industry, it signals a contest for a market that is expanding as fitness increasingly becomes part of everyday life.
India's athletic footwear market is estimated to have grown from $6.23 billion in 2025 to $6.64 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $9.92 billion by 2034, according to research firm IMARC Group. Running shoes accounted for 31.8% of the market…
Wall Street expects the pharmaceutical giant to post $22.61 billion in revenue, powered by strong demand for its flagship diabetes and obesity treatments. These record profits have provided capital for an aggressive acquisition push into vaccines and psychedelic medicine. Investors are closely monitoring whether this momentum will maintain the company's edge over key rival Novo.
The strategic governance restructuring aligns with the company's shift toward an independent, board-led management structure. Independent director Sudarshan Sampathkumar will step into the non-executive chairman post, while Sanjay Sachdeva maintains executive leadership as managing director and chief executive. This planned evolution arrives on the heels of a corporate financial turnaround that prompted positive market sentiment.