Article Excerpt 
 
 Nike Inc. is raising the prices of its sneakers, assuming that the brand's cachet will carry it through a period when many of its shoppers are scrounging for discounts. 
 
 As labor, materials and shipping costs increase, Nike is raising shoe and clothing prices by 5% to 10%, analysts say. A test of the approach comes this fall, when Nike will debut its priciest sneaker yet—an expected $315 LeBron James basketball shoe that includes its own electronics. 
 
 The price leaps come after Nike's gross margins dropped to 42.8% from 44.3% in its most recent quarter ending May 31, the sixth-straight year-to-year ... 

 This year marks the tenth anniversary of LeBron James’ partnership with Nike Basketball and the release of the LEBRON X comes at another breakthrough moment for Nike Basketball’s performance innovation platform. As the first signature basketball shoe featuring Nike+ Basketball technology in select colorways it can track and measure performance, while an app provides feedback. The shoe also offers a lock-down fit, excellent cushioning on impact, and a lightweight fit and feel.
– Apparently Nike doesn't think the recession has touched people who really, really love LeBron James. The company is releasing its most expensive sneaker ever this fall, a $315 LeBron basketball shoe, thus testing the $300 price barrier. If it makes you feel any better, the LeBron X Nike Plus will feature motion sensors that will measure how high the wearer jumps. Nike is raising prices by 5% to 10% across the board, citing increasing labor, materials, and shipping costs—and the Wall Street Journal notes that even dedicated Nike fans are starting to balk. "Prices are getting crazy excessive and as long as we continue to buy sneakers, Nike is going to keep increasing the prices," says one customer who has been using YouTube and Twitter to urge others not to buy the LeBron shoes. (Another interesting tidbit: Air Jordans, which sold for $64.99 in 1985, will now set you back $185.)