BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of sneaker culture and resale
Chapter 2
The economics of artificial scarcity
Chapter 3
The digital trading floors of footwear
Chapter 4
The battle of the bots
Chapter 5
The high-stakes world of sneaker authentication
YOUR GOAL
Master of The economics of sneaker reselling
Ch 2 · The economics of artificial scarcity
dash Price your sneaker inventory to learn how supply and demand drive the resale market.
dash Sneaker Reselling Economics
Limited drops, yeah! // Prices soar so high! // Exclusivity, oh-oh! // Drives the resale sky!
dash High-end sneakers violate traditional economic laws because demand actually increases as the price goes up.
dash Sneakers that have never been worn or tried on command the highest prices on the secondary market.
Fun Fact
Scarcity value: The most expensive sneakers ever sold at auction were Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals Air Jordan 13s, which fetched $2.2 million in 2023.
Glossary
artificial scarcity (noun)
The deliberate limitation of a product's supply by its manufacturer to increase demand and price. Nike utilized this strategy during the 1985 Air Jordan 1 launch to elevate secondary market value.
The deliberate limitation of a product's supply by its manufacturer to increase demand and price. Nike utilized this strategy during the 1985 Air Jordan 1 launch to elevate secondary market value.
Quiz
What is the term for the price difference between a sneaker's original store price and its aftermarket price?
Quiz
How much did Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals Air Jordan 13s sell for at auction in 2023?
Quiz
Which of these factors is most critical in determining a sneaker's long-term resale value?
Quiz
What is the primary reason sneaker brands intentionally produce fewer shoes than people want to buy?
Quiz
Why do brands allow resellers to make huge profits instead of raising retail prices to match demand?