Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE)’s tech vice president has moved to reassure staff that the company is still committed to driving its digital transformation in spite of the head of the department leaving.
Eugene Cook, vice president of the fashion company’s tech wing, suggested in a call staff should continue to work towards shifting the company to a more direct, digital sales model.
"I know we can save money. And we can continue to drive this big transformation behind Nike's consumer direct acceleration," he said in the call heard by Insider, referencing a June 2020 plan aimed at making it a more technology-centred company.
As part of the plan, Nike has upped investment in e-commerce and simplified its product offerings in the men’s, women’s and kid’s categories, as well as building new stores that exclusively sell its products.
Cook confirmed Ratnakar Lavu’s departure on the call but claimed he knew little of why the tech executive had left, rather he prompted staff to have a strong end to the year.
Nike’s tech workers have previously raised concern over talent attrition at the company, going as far as calling its leadership “inept” in May last year for not moving to retain employees.
Cook added: "The strength of the team and the strength of the organisation has to continue to drive Nike in such a challenging environment and economy."