Adidas layoffs: Nearly 50% workforce hit at India tech hub

Adidas has confirmed workforce reductions within its technology organisation in India, as reports indicate that nearly half of the employees at its Gurugram-based India Tech Hub may be impacted.

According to reporting by India Today, the sportswear giant is cutting roles at its India technology centre, with an estimated 350 or more employees reportedly affected out of a workforce of around 700. While Adidas has acknowledged the restructuring, it has not disclosed the number of employees impacted.

In a statement cited by Wocult, Adidas said it had made the "difficult decision" to reduce a number of roles within its technology organisation in India as part of efforts to align its operating model with evolving business requirements.

Workforce reduction linked to organisational changes

The company said the move is intended to simplify parts of the organisation, strengthen critical capabilities and position the business for long-term growth as technology and business needs continue to change.

The restructuring reflects a broader effort to realign technology operations while concentrating resources on areas considered strategically important by the company.

Adidas added that it remains committed to supporting affected employees through transition assistance measures.

Reported impact at the Gurugram tech centre

Employees were informed about the changes during a town hall meeting held on September 15.

Key details reported include:

• Around 350 employees or more are estimated to be affected.
• The reported reduction represents approximately 45% to 50% of the hub's workforce.
• Software engineers, data scientists and data engineers are among the roles reportedly impacted.
• Some employees were reportedly issued exit letters immediately.
• Another group has been asked to remain until December to support transition and handover activities.

The report further stated that employees staying through the transition period are expected to transfer responsibilities to colleagues at other Adidas technology hubs while exploring internal opportunities within the organisation.

Employees who are unable to secure another role by the end of the transition period have reportedly been informed that December 15 could be their final working day. Details regarding severance arrangements, notice pay and redeployment support have not been publicly confirmed.

India remains a key operations hub

The Gurugram facility houses both Adidas' local marketing organisation and one of its Global Engineering Tech Hubs. The company has continued to expand its presence in India in recent years.

In 2024, Adidas opened a Global Business Services centre in Chennai, strengthening its operational footprint in the country.

While the full scale of the workforce reduction remains unconfirmed, the development highlights ongoing changes in how global companies are restructuring technology teams to align with evolving business priorities and operating models.