The opening of the Nike flagship store at Ikeja City Mall in Lagos was celebrated with great excitement. This store, the first of its kind in West Africa, was officially launched on Thursday, August 25th, 2022. Indrek Heinmets, the Nike Brand Director for Hudson Holdings Limited, expressed his exhilaration at witnessing the brand’s presence in Nigeria.
He mentioned that the journey to establish the Nike flagship store in Lagos has been a long one, with challenges including global supply issues and local obstacles. He commended the local team for their relentless efforts to make the store a reality.
The initiative to bring the Nike flagship store to Ikeja City Mall was made possible by Hudson Brand Development Nigeria [HBDN], a subsidiary of Hudson Holdings Group – the official distributor for Nike products in over 30 African countries.
Giuseppe Crispino, Nike Marketing Communications Manager at Hudson, highlighted the longstanding partnership between Nike and Nigeria, referencing the highly sought-after football jerseys designed for Nigeria during the 2018 World Cup. Hudson also has a partnership program in support of The Asisat Oshoala Foundation, reflecting their commitment to making a positive impact on the Nigerian society.
Heinmets emphasized the importance of understanding and connecting with local customers, expressing eagerness to collaborate with sports clubs, athletes, influencers, event managers, and marketing agencies to develop local assets for closer engagement with the community.
Chris Muscat, CEO of Hudson Holdings Group, expressed pride in opening the first Nike store in Lagos and conveyed his optimism for the company’s future in Nigeria. He extended his gratitude to the brand and local teams for their hard work in making the store a reality.
The launch event was attended by notable individuals including Gbemisola Adudu, Vice President of NBA Africa and Country Manager, NBA Nigeria; Paul Onwuanibe, CEO of Landmark Africa; and John Onyeoguzoro, CEO of SMARTMARK Ltd, along with several influencers and media personalities.