Adidas has confirmed job cuts in its India technology organisation as part of a restructuring exercise, with employees at its Gurugram technology hub informed about the changes during a town hall on September 15. The German sportswear company described the move as a “difficult decision” aimed at reshaping its technology operations.
The number of employees affected has become a key point in the Adidas layoffs story. Initial reports suggested that around 300 to 350 employees could lose their jobs at the Gurugram tech hub, which was reported to have about 700 employees. That would have represented nearly half of the workforce at the centre.
Adidas has now clarified that the impact is less than 20% of its India Technology organisation. The company has not disclosed an exact number of employees affected. Its India technology operations include hubs in Gurugram and Chennai, making the reported 350 figure difficult to reconcile with the company’s own assessment.
The reported job cuts involve technology roles including software engineers, data scientists and data engineers. Employees were reportedly informed about the restructuring during a September 15 town hall. Some affected workers received exit letters, while others were reportedly asked to continue working for a period to complete handovers.
Employees in the second group have reportedly been given time until December 15. During this period, they are expected to complete the transition of their work to colleagues at other technology hubs while also being able to explore other opportunities within Adidas. Employees who do not find another suitable role could have December 15 as their last working day, according to reports. Details of individual severance arrangements have not been publicly disclosed.
Adidas said the restructuring is part of its effort to align its operating model with changing business requirements. The company said it wants to simplify parts of the organisation, strengthen critical capabilities and prepare its technology operations for long-term growth as the business and technology landscape changes.
The company also said it continues to invest in strategic capabilities and has open positions across the organisation. Affected employees have been encouraged to explore those opportunities as Adidas looks to build skills and expertise for its future technology needs.
India continues to have an important role in Adidas’ global technology operations. The company said its India Technology Hub remains central to its growth, innovation and digital transformation plans. That suggests the current Adidas India layoffs are being presented as a restructuring of roles rather than a withdrawal from the country.
Adidas launched its India Tech Hub in Gurugram in 2021 as a centre for technology and engineering talent working on products and digital platforms. The Gurugram facility also houses the company’s local marketing organisation. Adidas has expanded its technology and business operations in India in recent years, including the opening of a Global Business Services centre in Chennai in 2024.
The restructuring comes at a time when technology companies and large global businesses are reassessing their workforce requirements. Automation, artificial intelligence, changing technology priorities and pressure to simplify organisational structures have contributed to job reductions across parts of the global technology sector.
The Adidas layoffs also highlight the changing nature of technology jobs within large consumer brands. Technology teams now support areas ranging from digital commerce and data analytics to product development, supply chains and customer experience. As companies reorganise these functions, some roles can be consolidated while investment shifts towards newer capabilities.
The exact scale of the Adidas job cuts in India will become clearer as the restructuring progresses. The company has confirmed that roles are being reduced but has not released a detailed breakdown by location, department or job category.
The immediate focus for affected employees is now on transition arrangements and internal opportunities. Those asked to remain until December 15 have additional time to complete handovers and seek other positions within the company.
Adidas has said it remains committed to supporting affected employees with appropriate transition assistance. The company has also stressed that India remains a strategically important market and that its technology operations will continue to support its global growth and digital transformation.
The latest figures therefore present a more measured picture than the initial reports of a 50% workforce reduction at the Gurugram technology hub. While the restructuring is expected to affect a significant number of technology employees, Adidas’ latest statement places the impact at less than 20% of its India Technology organisation.