This summer, sneakerheads were hit with unexpected news: several highly anticipated Air Jordan Retro releases, including the Air Jordan 5 "Black Cat," were canceled. According to sneaker insider @zsneakerheadz, a total of six Retro colorways initially slated for the end of the year are either scrapped or postponed to 2025. However, with the current trends, a full cancellation seems more likely.
The Canceled Sneakers
Among the canceled releases are some fan favorites and high-profile collaborations. The sneakers that won’t be hitting shelves as planned include:
- Air Jordan 3 "Brown Cement"
- Air Jordan 5 "Black Cat"
- Air Jordan 13 "Chutney"
- Air Jordan 1 Low ’85 "Mocha"
- Air Jordan 6 "Fire Red"
- Air Jordan 1 High OG "Olive"
Perhaps the biggest shocker is the cancellation of the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Pale Vanilla", a highly anticipated release that had garnered a lot of hype. This collaboration was expected to be one of the hottest drops of the year, making its cancellation all the more surprising.
Declining Popularity of Non-Original Colorways
The decision to cancel these releases likely stems from the declining demand for Air Jordan Retros that don’t fall into specific categories—like original colorways, beloved retros from the early 2000s, or major collaborations. For a long time, Retro Jordans were at the forefront of the sneaker world, but their appeal has taken a hit recently. The secondary market is a good indicator of this trend. Once a place where Jordans could sell for a premium, many non-original Retro colorways are seeing declining resale value. With less profit to be made, resellers are no longer scooping up these releases in bulk.
Inventory Issues and the Outlet Store Trend
The oversupply of Retro Jordans is creating another problem—inventory surplus. When Jordan Retros don’t sell out, they eventually end up at Nike Factory Outlet stores, a situation that’s become more common. Social media posts showing Jordan Retros at discount stores underscore the brand's struggle to maintain demand for certain models. This is further compounded by rising retail prices, which have grown at a pace faster than consumer interest, creating an imbalance between supply and demand.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and the 40th Anniversary of Air Jordan
The cancellation of these 2023 releases sets the stage for what Jordan Brand has planned for 2025, a year that marks the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan. Next year’s lineup includes a range of high-profile releases that sneaker enthusiasts are already labeling “must-haves.” With the milestone year ahead, Jordan Brand is positioning itself to re-energize the culture and reclaim its iconic status in the sneaker world.
While Jordan Brand still pulled in $7 billion in revenue last fiscal year, the canceled Air Jordan Retro releases signal a need for a strategic reset. By focusing on high-demand models and milestone releases, the brand is aiming to regain the excitement and relevance that once defined the Retro sneaker market.