Australian Business Folds After Nike Sues for $237,000

Australian Business Folds After Nike Sues for $237,000

Next week, the globe鈥檚 top sportswear brand will appear in court, pursuing a claim for almost $250,000 it asserts it is owed by a defunct Australian surf retailer.

SurfStitch, which brands itself as Australia鈥檚 leading online surf and fashion destination, entered administration earlier this month following a winding-up order filed by Nike Australia on May 20.

Documents from the Victorian Supreme Court, accessed by 9news.com.au, reveal that the major sportswear company alleges SurfStitch owes it $237,760.38 and is urging the business鈥檚 liquidation.

SurfStitch 茂禄驴fell into administration earlier this month after Nike Australia filed a winding up order against the retailer on May 20. (SurfStitch/Facebook)

茂禄驴The matter is listed to be heard in court next Wednesday.

Established in 2007, SurfStitch was one of Australia鈥檚 early successful online stores, having been valued at $500 million in 2014 shortly after it was listed on the local stock exchange.

However, it fell into administration just three years later 茂禄驴before being bought by retail group Alquemie, then known as Alceon Retail Bidco.

Alquemie, which operates the likes of General Pants Co. and Lego stores in Australasia, in turn sold the business茂禄驴 to a mystery buyer in May.

Nike shoes on display at the Nike store at Central World mall on April 04, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

SurfStitch鈥檚 online store has been down for the last five weeks, with visitors to its website shown a maintenance message.

鈥淪orry, our site is currently undergoing maintenance,鈥 it reads.

鈥淲e expect to be back soon. Thanks for your patience.鈥

It had previously sold surf and skate wear from a range of brands, including Adidas, Billabong, Levi鈥檚, The North Face and Nike.

9news.com.au has contacted SurfStitch鈥檚 administrators for comment.茂禄驴

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