Nike targets India with Vegam Run launch

Nike has introduced the Vegam Run, its first running shoe designed specifically for India, marking a targeted push into the world’s most populous country. The shoe is priced at ₹3,795 and will go on sale from November 1 through Flipkart and select retail locations. The launch is positioned to tap into India’s expanding running community while offering a product tailored to local needs and preferences.

Vegam Run is intended for both daily running and regular, all-day wear, reflecting a dual-purpose design approach. The initiative aligns with Nike’s broader plan to open a new campus in India, underscoring the market’s role in the company’s growth plans.

Nike developed the Vegam Run from concept to launch in roughly five months, adopting an accelerated product development process. The shoe was created using feedback from runners across India, with the goal of making it suitable for local conditions and usage patterns. It will be available in several colour options, including an After Dark Tour colourway linked to the Mumbai stop of a running event scheduled for December.

The Vegam Run features an engineered mesh upper designed to provide lightweight breathability and a comfortable fit. It incorporates full-length foam cushioning intended to deliver a soft, responsive ride that can support all-day wear. A stacked, textured rubber outsole completes the design, with rubber placed around the perimeter to improve durability and extend the shoe’s lifespan. Pull tabs are integrated to help users put the shoe on and take it off more easily.

Nike describes the Vegam Run as part of its effort to grow running in India by offering footwear that can handle daily miles and regular use at a more accessible price point. Wider distribution across Nike’s retail partners in India is planned for spring 2027, extending availability beyond the initial Flipkart and select-store rollout.

The India-specific launch comes as Nike seeks new growth engines while facing a prolonged sales slump in China. Sales in China, which account for about 15% of Nike’s annual revenue, have fallen for nine consecutive quarters as international competitors and domestic sportswear brands gain traction there.

In this context, Nike is trying to push further into India with both product and infrastructure investments. The Vegam Run follows an earlier announcement that the company plans to open a new campus in the country, supporting its broader ambition to increase its presence. Nike also plans to bring the Vegam Run to additional markets worldwide in 2027, suggesting the India-focused design could become part of its global running lineup.

Leadership is emphasizing a revamped product pipeline and locally led designs in key markets as part of efforts to turn around performance. The Vegam Run, as a first-ever running shoe tailored specifically for India, illustrates this approach of pairing regional insight with faster development cycles.