Nike is preparing to relaunch its online store in India in February 2026, and it has picked Nykaa as its local partner for the transition. The move comes as Nike temporarily suspends access to Nike.com and the Nike App in India to overhaul how it manages e-commerce in the country.
The partnership has already sparked curiosity among Indian consumers and the retail industry, raising questions about why a global sportswear giant is handing a key piece of its digital business to an Indian online fashion retail platform.
WHAT’S BEHIND NIKE’S MOVE?
Nike has struggled with delivery timelines, customer experience and platform reliability in India, where e-commerce expectations are high and logistics vary widely across regions.
By leaning on Nykaa’s local expertise, Nike aims to offer faster shipping, simpler returns and an improved online shopping experience.
Nike has already announced that shoppers in India can expect free shipping, free exchanges on the same item and quicker delivery once the new website goes live.
Metro cities are expected to get orders in two days and other regions within four days. The changes are meant to bring Nike’s Indian operations closer to the seamless experience its customers receive in other major markets.
Some features will, however, disappear in the new setup. Nike By You customisation and the SNKRS Web platform will no longer be available in India after the transition.
Nike has already announced that shoppers in India can expect free shipping, free exchanges on the same item and quicker delivery once the new website goes live.
Metro cities are expected to get orders in two days and other regions within four days. The changes are meant to bring Nike’s Indian operations closer to the seamless experience its customers receive in other major markets.
Some features will, however, disappear in the new setup. Nike By You customisation and the SNKRS Web platform will no longer be available in India after the transition.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CONSUMERS
The biggest impact will be on convenience. Nike’s online relaunch via Nykaa is expected to streamline the shopping experience dramatically, from faster deliveries to easier returns.
The promise of free shipping and free exchanges is likely to be welcomed, especially in a category where size and fit issues are common.
Consumers looking for custom sneakers or exclusive SNKRS drops will be disappointed for now, as those services are not returning in the new model.
However, Nike says product availability will improve once the new website is live.
Meanwhile, Nike will continue to operate its physical stores separately, but its e-commerce partnership with Nykaa signals a strategic shift.
Instead of running every aspect of its digital presence internally, Nike is choosing a hybrid model that blends global branding with Indian operational expertise.
The move reflects how competitive and complex India’s online retail market has become. For Nike, partnering with Nykaa offers a faster, more efficient way to scale. For Nykaa, the deal cements its position as a serious player in lifestyle and sports fashion.
