Adidas is bracing for a $1.3 billion loss in revenue and $535 million drop in profit in 2023 if efforts to sell off its inventory of Yeezy-branded sneakers fail.
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, was once synonymous with Adidas. Now the German sneaker giant is dealing with the fallout of ending its partnership with the rapper and fashion designer last year after he made a series of anti-semitic remarks.
The biggest question facing the company is whether it can repurpose its Yeezy products or if it will be forced to write them off, putting a massive dent in revenue and profits. Regardless of the outcome, Adidas is expecting a challenging year ahead.
“The numbers speak for themselves. We are currently not performing the way we should”, said CEO Bjørn Gulden in a news release. “2023 will be a year of transition to set the base to again be a growing and profitable company."
He added that the company will focus on creating "brand heat" and improving its "product engine." "We need to put the pieces back together again, but I am convinced that over time we will make Adidas shine again. But we need some time," he said.
Shares were down around 9 percent in pre-trading on Friday after the announcement.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing a new rule to narrow what products qualify for a "Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label. Now only meat, poultry and egg products from animals "born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States" will make the grade.
The Biden administration sued to block JetBlue Airways' $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit Airlines, saying Tuesday that the deal would reduce competition and drive up air fares for consumers.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will hint that the central bank could increase the pace of interest rate hikes if data indicate price pressures continuing.
