Nike battling $95 billion annual retail theft in stores, warehouses, even trains

Nike is dealing with an estimated $95 billion in annual retail theft by ratcheting up efforts with local governments to address the problem.

Last fall, Nike closed a celebrated outlet store in Portland, Oregon, because of ongoing theft. It remains closed.

In an email sent to Portland officials, the company said it's at a "critical juncture."

Nike wants the city to let them hire off-duty police officers who can arrest shoplifters at its stores. The sportswear giant also proposed to work out a deal where they pays the city to hire more police officers.

The company said it's "critical" that the city agree to one of the options by May 1.

Portland city officials haven't agreed to either option but are discussing several short-term strategies for addressing theft, including increased patrols, retail theft missions, and asking local businesses to reconsider “hands off" policies with shoplifters.

Nike has also been recently hit by organized theft in Memphis, Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, and Napa.

Last week, boxes of Nike merchandise were stolen from a warehouse in Memphis, a Nike logistics hub.

Also in Memphis: Police arrested two suspects who allegedly stole about $60,000 of Nike merchandise from five rail cars.

In Baton Rouge, thieves recently stole "several thousand dollars" of merchandise.

In Napa, where police have been made aware of a retail theft crew targeting Nike stores, a man was arrested Tuesday for attempting to steal from a local Nike store.

The recent theft comes when there's a defined and easily accessible secondary market for Nikes.

Nike has 344 stores in the US, including outlets and Converse stores.