The Nike LeBron line releases a new silhouette every year with new technology and a constantly increasing price point. The Elite series inevitably releases as well and expands upon the initial look by bringing in stylized design, improved technology, alternate color ways, and an even heftier retail price. If the regular LeBron 11 color ways sit aside from the limited releases such as the Forging Iron, why is it expected that the Elite will do better?
Needless to say, it doesn’t. It shares the same attributes as LeBron, flopping constantly on the market every year and with the highest priced sneaker to date at $275 before tax. It shouldn’t be expected to fly off shelves, especially since we have seen the same story occur with the Nike LeBron 9 and 10. So what if the sneaker features ever-lasting materials and top of the line basketball performance? The initial price alone scares off many consumers and the data provided shows it.
The Elite series releases as well and expands upon the initial look by bringing in stylized design, improved technology, alternate color ways, and an even heftier retail price.
Average Price: $255.33
The pre release hype had the Nike LeBron 11 Elite “Hero” at just over $75 before anyone knew how the sneaker would do, even with its “Hero” pack hype. Before the month of May was over, the sneaker dove under retail on the market while some retail stores even sold celebrity news pairs on sale at $200-225. If retail stores slashed prices down to what the initial LeBron 11 retailed for, what faith can consumers have in purchasing a sneaker when it drops, let alone beforehand?
Before the month of May was over, the sneaker dove under retail on the market while some retail stores even sold pairs on sale at $200-225.
Average Price: $239.34
May 10 - June 8, 2014
| Total Sales | $14,839 |
|---|---|
| Total Listings | 137 |
| Successful Listings | 59 |
| Total Bids | 366 |
| Items Offered | 225 |
| Items Sold | 62 |
| Bids per Listing | 2.67 |
| Sell-Through | 43.07% |
| Sellers per Day | 4 |
The Nike LeBron 11 “Team” is a strange case, going for $400 before the release and sailing at approximately $325 or $50 over retail for the month. The sneaker took a complete flatline in profit and the going price cut in half to $200, $75 under retail. The Elite series is a confusing release that inevitably drops in price, sits on shelves, and starts off at an outrageous amount but the technology and design is justifiably there. As consumers, you can analyze sales data for many releases via the ShoeFax app and that may help in the future purchase of shoes that are destined to hit the outlets. Download the app here. (Apple / Android).
