Nike and Jordan remain market leaders ranking #1StockX fastest growing shoe brand, with average sneaker prices up 5% and 6% YOY. The brand’s comeback has also been fuelled by an increase in demand for recovery footwear, led by the brands ReactX Rejuven8, which debuted in early 2025 and quickly became the most traded sneaker on the StockX platform. Looking ahead, Nike enters 2026 with renewed momentum fuelled by a strong Jordan Brand and continued dominance in categories like performance basketball. Ongoing investments in innovation and new product development – such as the Nike Mind 001 – will further growth. Global moments like the World Cup and Olympics and a more disciplined release strategy for core Jordan silhouettes should further boost the brand in 2026.
All eyes on collectibles: With the rise of ‘kidult’ collectibles continue to be a focus for consumers. Trading cards are positioned for continued growth, bolstered by strong release calendars, rising resale prices, and Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. The demand for cutesy collectibles will also persist, but loyalty may shift quickly, favouring brands that balance charm with storytelling such as London based brand Jellycat. Across all collectible categories, re-commerce momentum will continue to accelerate, as consumers increasingly shop resale-first, driven by live shopping, vintage demand, and value-conscious behaviour.
The year of sports: Within the last few years we’ve seen an increase in ‘blokecore’, the adaptation of football jerseys into the fashion sphere. StockX expects the 2026 FIFA World Cup will further accelerate soccer’s influence in fashion from retro cleats reimagined as lifestyle footwear to deeper collaborations between clubs and streetwear brands. Elsewhere in sports, the Milan Olympics will present an opportunity for brands to fuse sport and fashion, a combination that historically drives spikes in demand for athlete- and team-linked products on StockX. Latin singer Bad Bunny is also poised for a defining year, with a highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance and a first fully original adidas signature sneaker slated for 2026.
