Despite tough economic times, Nike is about to go where it has never gone before: Its Lebron X sneakers are expected to retail for $315. That's the first time a pair of its kicks breaks the $300 barrier.
that the price hike comes after the company saw some steep drops to its gross margins. But the company may be taking its customers too far. The Journal reports:
"'Prices are getting crazy excessive and as long as we continue to buy sneakers, Nike is going to keep increasing the prices,' said Donell Brown, 30, who owns a cleaning services company in Dearborn, Mich.
"Mr. Brown said he and his friends have been posting messages on Twitter and YouTube, urging other longtime sneaker fans not to buy the pricier LeBron shoes and to forgo waiting in line for new sneaker releases.
"Nike's price increases are also being felt at the lower end: The venerable Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star sneaker now costs $50 compared with $45 a year ago."
the LeBron 9 sold for $170. that there will be a cheaper version the LeBron X, which will retail for $180.
But if you want all the bells and whistles — per NikeBlog that means "dynamic Flywire technology, Hyperfuse construction, Nike Plus functionality ... and the first full-length visible Zoom Air unit" — it will set you back $315.
Part of the charm, , is that LeBron James, the Miami Heat superstar, debuted the shoes during Team USA's gold-medal win against Spain.
Now, we've been known to plop down three-figures for a pair of . We doubt, however, we'd ever go more expensive than that.
Then again, we're not the ones .
NikeBlog divines the shoes are set for release in January or early February of next year.
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