Nike shows that its progressive stance only goes so far

Inside Business: Cancelling a run of trainers in China, after their designer backed Hong Kong protesters, is at odds with the sportswear giant’s self-made image as a champion of social causes

Nike’s Colin Kapernick advert that positioned the brand as a social causes champion (EPA)

How does one square Nike’s positioning of itself as a champion of progressive social causes, with the cancellation of a line of limited edition shoes in China in the wake of the views expressed by their designer?

The trainers were the creation of Undercover, the studio of Japanese designer Jun Takahashi. Earlier this month, it posted a photo of protesters in Hong Kong together with the slogan “no extradition to China” on Instagram.

The post was deleted after Undercover said it was an “individual opinion” posted by mistake. But by then the furore was underway. Chinese Instagram users, themselves using software to get around an official ban, reacted with outrage. The trainers were ultimately removed from retailers’ shelves as Nike cancelled their release.