This past September, I had the pleasure of visiting the Nike Employee Store for the first time ever.
What is the Nike Employee Store, you ask? Well basically, it’s a normal Nike store, on steroids. You can expect a large variety of current (and past) season products, and everything can be purchased for a fraction of the retail price.
You’ll get to shop the best of Nike products at employee pricing, which equates to 40-50% off your entire purchase! That’s a huge discount! And if that’s not enough to entice you, everything you buy is tax-free (if you go to the one located within the state of Oregon).
Lucky for us, my boyfriend scored two passes for us to visit last month, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience from the moment we stepped inside the front doors!
In this post, I’ll dive into the entire shopping process, give you a taste of what to expect in the store, and show you what we scored on our shopping trip!
This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
HOW TO GET INTO THE NIKE EMPLOYEE STORE – BEAVERTON, OR
Before you jump into your car and head over to your closest Nike Employee Store, there are a few things you need to know. There are actually only two Nike Company Stores in the United States. There is a location in Beaverton, OR and Memphis, TN.
There’s also a pretty significant barrier to entry.
For those of you who don’t know, getting into the Nike Employee Store is like getting entry to an exclusive nightclub. An invitation is hard to come by.
The bottom line is, you’ll have to be granted access by somebody who works for Nike or is affiliated with Nike.
Be a Nike Employee
If you are employed by Nike or any of its brands (Converse or Hurley) you can access the store an unlimited number of times by simply showing your work ID. Full-time employees are also able to add significant others and immediate family members to the entry list for unlimited visits. (See, I told you, it’s like the nightclub guest list.)
However, if you don’t fall into this category, there may still be hope for you!
Know a Nike Employee
If you know someone who works for Nike, you may be in luck! Each year Nike gives its employees a set amount of extra passes to give away to their friends or acquaintances. To gain access to the Nike Company Store, all you need to do is ask your Nike-employed friend to add you to the list.
Don’t know a Nike employee? Ask a few of your friends to see if they know someone who knows someone.
Getting on the Guestlist
To start the process of getting on the invite list, you’ll need to provide your full name and email address (where the Nike Guest Shopping Pass will be emailed to). Alternatively, the employee may give you a physical Nike Guest Pass which usually has an expiration date.
My experience: a few weeks before our planned trip, my boyfriend had reached out to his old coworker that still works at Nike. He requested two passes to visit the Nike Company Store in Beaverton, and luckily his friend still had some available. Score!
After providing him with our names and email addresses, we received an email confirmation that we were all set up with access to visit the Nike Company Store from 9/19 – 9/21. No physical passes were given to us, just email confirmations.
OTHER WAYS TO GET INTO THE NIKE EMPLOYEE STORE
Befriend a Nike employee
If you don’t currently know a Nike employee, something else you could do is befriend a Nike employee.
Obviously, you would want to do so for the friendship itself and not just the pass. I would NOT recommend bribing strangers who work for Nike, because selling passes is not allowed and they could get in a lot of trouble for that.
Vendor or Nike affiliates
Another option is to be a vendor or an affiliate to Nike. A vendor is someone (a company, an individual, etc.) that sells something to Nike. This could be software, services, etc.
As a vendor, you are usually offered a pass to the employee store, good for the day that you happen to be at the headquarters for a meeting.
Nike also sometimes offers special invitations to certain groups, organizations, or associations in Oregon. Most recently, I’ve seen invitations for groups like the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) or United States Tennis Association (USTA).
WELCOME TO THE NIKE EMPLOYEE STORE – WHAT TO EXPECT
First, what you’ll find when you get here is that the Nike Employee Store is near the Nike campus (Beaverton, OR location).
Checking In
You’ll park your car in the massive and free parking lot. As you approach the front door, you’ll be greeted by someone managing the door. He/she will check that you have the Nike Guest Shopping Pass, either printed out or displayed on your phone.
NOTE: Without this pass, there is no way you’re getting in.
He or she will also announce the item limit or the spending limit. I suspect this changes from time to time, but when we went, there was a purchase limit of 30 items or $3,000 prior to the discount per transaction / pass.
What that means is if you’re with someone and you guys have 2 passes, you could technically buy 60 items, or $6,000 worth of stuff.
If this information isn’t announced, just ask any Nike team member on the floor. What I found was that all of the employees there are super friendly and will help in any way they can!
Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by another Nike employee who will check you in. At this point, you’ll need to show your ID. Photo ID MUST be provided for check-in.
Once checked in, you’re free to head on in to get your shopping on! Don’t forget to grab a shopping cart if you plan on bringing a big haul home.
Types of Merchandise
The great thing about the Nike Company Store is that the merchandise on the floor is mostly new and in-season, unlike other Nike factory stores or outlet stores where you’ll find mostly older stuff.
You can get a really good idea of what might be in stock by simply checking out what’s for sale on the Nike website.
Okay, I know you all are dying to know more. The Nike Employee Store is huge. There will be something for everyone here at the Nike Company Store.
There are sections for toddlers and kids, women’s apparel, men’s apparel, and shoes.
In the women’s department, there are entire sections for Nike Yoga, Nike Running, Nike Golf, bras, athleisure/casual wear, plus sizes, and bags/accessories.
The men’s half of the store is equally as compartmentalized as the women’s section and includes additional sections for basketball and sporting goods as well.
Everything here is so neatly organized and well-stocked! There were so many clothing styles that came in multiple colors and patterns.
As with any popular store, the earlier you arrive, the better chances you’ll have at snagging a size that you need. I also suspect a weekday visit will be less stressful / calmer than a weekend visit.
In the footwear section, you’ll find rows and rows of shoes! The shoe sections are broken down by running, training, casual, basketball, etc.
In terms of brands available for sale, you’ll be able to find variations of the Nike brand, Air Jordans, and even some Converse footwear.
There’s also a “hash wall” in the back worth checking out. This wall holds an assortment of shoes with green stickers, where some of the items are discounted even further.
Have questions about any of the shoes or need another size? There are lots of employees on the floor available to help you out with anything you need.
If you’re looking for new shoes, definitely take your time browsing! You’ll find all the signature stuff, as well as branded products from Lebron, Kyrie, Jordan, etc.
These items are rarely at outlets or factory stores, so getting 40-50% off on these items is killer.
Checking Out
When you’re done shopping, head to the checkout area. Here, you’ll find rows and rows of registers. If you happen to be there in the afternoon, you may see a very dauntingly long line. Don’t worry, with all the active cashiers working, the line moves pretty fast.
Also note, when checking out, the total that initially shows up on the screen is before the discount is applied. The staff member will scan your pass for the discount after scanning all your items.
Three and a half hours later (yes, you read that right)… we were finally out of there! Thirsty, starving, and $800 poorer–but with a handful of brand-new goods!
All in all, my items totaled up to $831. After the employee discount, I paid $498!
My boyfriend’s total was $597 before the discount was applied. After the discount, he paid $358!
Together, we had a savings of $570. And best of all, everything was tax-free, baby! Here’s a look at all the stuff we got:
Overall, shopping at the Nike employee store was a great experience. I think a lot of my experience had to do with the fact that we arrived early and had a belly full of coffee/breakfast pastries before diving headfirst into the shopping.
If we had one top tip for you, it’d be to definitely arrive early for the best selection of products as well as to avoid the crowds and lines.
Below are a few additional tips that might help you get the most out of your trip to the Nike Employee Store!
Can’t find a pass or can’t make it out to the Nike Employee Store? Shop online instead.
NIKE EMPLOYEE STORE – ESSENTIAL TIPS
- Get there early, especially on weekends. We arrived on a Saturday a few minutes after the store had opened and found the parking lot to be quite full already. The line to check out can also get a bit long.
- Nike employees get 50% off their entire purchase. Obviously, 50% off is better than 40% off (if you know a Nike employee), but the downside is you’ll need to drag a Nike employee along with you, and using their 50% off discount is technically against store policy. You decide for yourself.
- If you are not a Nike employee and have a Nike Guest Shopping Pass (not accompanied by a Nike employee), you’ll get 40% off your entire purchase.
- Your guest pass is valid for one transaction only. Guest passes are non-transferable. The guest pass is not valid at Nike.com or any other Nike stores.
- The “pass” is really just being placed on a guest pass email list. You won’t need a physical guest pass.
- Refrain from wearing any competitor brands into the store. Converse and Hurley apparel is fine. Otherwise, you might chance not getting in (wearing competitor gear here is highly frowned upon).
- Expect to spend a few hours at the store, especially if you’re not from Oregon and are likely not going to get another opportunity to shop there for another few years. 40-50% is a great deal on in-season Nike gear, so embrace the discount to the fullest!
- The Nike Company Store is pretty big—it’s essentially the size of a super spacious warehouse or airplane hangar. Prioritize what you’re looking for and hit up sections in the order of your highest priority items.
- If you’re like me and it’s an absolute must to “try before you buy”, make sure you grab all the sizes you may need for the trip to the fitting room. As more and more people show up throughout the day, the common sizes will become unavailable quickly.
- During our trip to Nike Employee Store, I walked in and hit up the new Nike Yoga section first. Upon seeing so many new products with their new ‘Infinalon’ fabric technology, I was so stoked to have a Lululemon alternative. I immediately grabbed a few pairs of leggings in a size S, which fit decently, but was curious about what a size M would feel like. When I went back to grab a size M an hour later, I found that most of the sizes were all gone!
- If you’re shopping for other people, make sure you have their sizes ahead of time and know what they want before the day of your trip. You don’t want to be fumbling in there trying to shop for yourself, communicating through text, phone, or FaceTime, all the while trying to weave through throngs of other shoppers. It’ll just stress you out more than you need to be (You might already be stressed out by the sheer number of products offered in the store!).
- Bring water and snacks! Especially if you think you’re going to be shopping for a few hours. Shopping takes a lot of energy, seriously!
- After 3.5 hours of shopping with no water at all, we were dying of thirst. Learn from our lesson.
- During our visit, there was a limit of 30 items, or $3,000 spend, whichever you hit first. This may be subject to change.
- 30 items sounds like a lot, but at 40% off, it’s pretty easy to go overboard and buy everything in sight. Especially if you’re shopping for your family and friends! My advice is to have some self-control and only get what you will really use.
- My boyfriend knows of many people who have easily spent $1,000 in one trip.
- Change your mind about something you bought? If you need to return something, you can return your merchandise at any regular Nike store.
Nike Company Store: Frequently Asked Questions
I hope this guide helps you prepare a bit more for your trip to the Nike Employee Store (Nike Company Store). Good luck and happy shopping!
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I was looking on the web for Nike men’s clothing. Shoes are gorgeous as well. Really gorgeous but, I can’t afford the sale prices for Nike let alone a new pair of Nike shoes for my teenage son, my college student daughter and myself. If there’s money “left” for a pair of my own shoes. However, I am just like millions of other people around the world that are unemployed due to medical issues. Medical issues that do not permit me to work due to the Coronovirus. So, I was merely passing time by looking at beautiful things that I can not obtain right now. And that’s a little weird being that the only my sone wears is Nike attire and shoes. But, what can one do. So, in light of all of this turmoil and hate for one another I found it devastatingly tragic that the billions upon billions company, Nike has a discriminative “rewards” program ONLY for those very, very, small number of employees that Nike employees compared to the entire worlds population. Then there were the people that came and interviewed with Nike and didn’t get a chance to work with Nike. So, what all I take from this article is that you can get great deals from Nike one of two ways. 1. You have to be a Nike employee or 2. You have to “know somebody who works at a Nike store or 3. You have to know somebody that knows somebody. So, once again the more money you have, the more people you know, the more people that know you, the position and or industry you are in, your annual income, where you come from, how far you went in your education, how were you raised, what values and morals were you taught, simply put these lessons in life and if you were lucky to have had nothing but the best and were given the best building blocks for a successful life. So what I am trying to say is COVID has effected and is effecting lower class people the worst. AND, it just goes to show that it’s all about WHO YOU KNOW. AND it is worth mentioning that when a employer provides their employees discounts on the products that they are selling more often than not that employee will end up putting their earnings back in to the company. And NOW NIKE has gone a step further and are now offering their very own store where only the few select that Nike employees are the only ones allowed to get Nike attire at a price they can afford. Not to mention it is GREAT ADVERTISING. The Nike cooperation is Genius!!
Don’t hate the players. Hate the game.
It is not a “rewards program”, it is merely a corporate benefit. Just like how every other company has their own discounts and benefits for their own employees.. Nike has an expansive sale section and has factory stores that allow for products to be bought at a more accessible price point.
To call this discriminative is completely unreasonable- because that would insinuate that every single company and brand that provides benefits for their hard-working employees (most of which aren’t of wealth and status, as you assumed) is discriminatory.
The workers at nike work extremely hard and go through so many challenges and hurdles to get in a position where they can work at Nike, so don’t discredit their hard work by labeling them as people who “know someone” or are naturally privileged. There are other ways to get Nike products at a discount: Nike factory, 3rd party retailers (Dicks, TJ Max, Nordstrom Rack) so it’s really not that deep….
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
My mother is coming for Africa I would like to get a pass for a day I’m in Seattle wa
Can I get 2 Nike passes for my son and I, please
Can I please have two pass.. thank you
Thank you for this post. We’re going to the store soon and found your info to be very helpful.
Can I please get a pass to get in
Hi there,
Thanks for your message, but unfortunately I don’t have employee passes available–just sharing information. 🙂
Hey was wondering if i can have 2 tickets really interested in going. Thank you please let me know if you got my message.
Hi there,
Thanks for your message, but unfortunately I don’t have employee passes available–just sharing information. 🙂
hi quick question! what time does it open??
The Nike Employee Store opens at 10am! I recommend you get there no later than 11 for the best picks, colors, and sizes.
I would like a pass to get in for my family.
I would love to get two passes. We have seven grand kids that are very athletic and would love to get them some sports gear.
I love the people that keep asking for passes even though it’s been made clear this is not an offer for passes to the store. Apparently these are the people that have zero comprehension when they read. Let me help make this easier for you…
STOP ASKING FOR PASSES! SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY.
What a great article, thank you for posting this.
I live in Beaverton and it seems that every clothing/shoe manufacturer here has a Company or Employee Store (Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, Nike).
Nike seems to be the strictest in it’s entry requirements; Columbia and Adidas sometimes give out limited time passes.
I’ve lived here 27 years and have yet to gain entry to Nike, simply because I’ve never known anyone that worked there!
But that doesn’t stop me from visiting NikeTown PDX and getting a new pair of kicks every year for my birthday!
I will be in Oregon in 2 weeks may I please have 2 passes
Hello I was trying to see can I get a pass trying to shop for my family and visit you guys store
Can you make my day and hook it up with a pass to the employee store?
How can I get 3 passes for Nike to go this weekend and shop?
Can I please get 2 pass for my wife and I, we buy a lot of shoes and we have 5 growing kids to buy for… Please
I hve a few.pass.$$$$$ lmk
I do work here doing graphic design.. .
[email protected]
Hi, I live in Hillsboro ,or which is a 5/10 min drive to Beaverton.where I work at #!+’
Have a few passes $$$$
Lmk asap.. [email protected]
How do I go about getting a pass.
Thank you for this amazing post Elle! I am going this weekend with my husband as we were able to score guest passes through a friend who is a recent new hire at Nike, so I wanted to google ahead and get some useful tips 🙂 I found this post super helpful and informational, keep up the amazing work!
(also kinda annoying that these people feel entitled that they can just leave a comment here and ask for guest passes…?)
Hi, I’m coming for work in Oregon and I try to go to Nike company store but they didn’t let me in, without employee pass, I really like to go and shopping over there can someone help me to get pass please
can i have a invite to the store please
Hey Elle,
This was a great article. Very informative. Thanks for the detail.
Does Nike employee store recognize veterans or seniors. Are there special day.
Thank you so much for this great article. We are planning a visit tomorrow and this info has been super helpful! We are now planning to pack our water bottles and be careful not to wear competitors brands.
Hello nike, I have a family of five.. me my wife and 3kiddos age’s 12,7 and my lil momma’s 5. My wife and two youngest children bdays are in September(I know rite) we would love to come as I never been to the employee store ever! Do we need passes for all of us or just me and wifey? Please let me know by sending amount of passes needed to inter thank you guy’s