How does sneaker pricing work?

In the simplest terms pricing on sneakers depends on the supply and demand for a certain sneaker.

Most Jordans/Dunks/Yeezys/etc.. only release once with a certain amount of stock in each size (limited supply). The demand for these sneakers usually out weighs the supply and this causes prices to rise above retail price as soon as they release. For example the recent Jordan 1 x Travis Scott release had a rumored 7 million people enter for a pair of sneakers with a supply of only 10,000 pairs. Depending on what sizes people entered for that meant roughly 1 in 700 people "won" the sneakers. By "won" they "won" the chance to buy the sneakers for retail price. 

The reason Sneakers go up in price overtime is because as time goes on people begin wearing their sneakers and less brand new pairs are now in circulation. Remember most of these sneakers release once and once only. Using the example above demand stays the same if not increasing when people start seeing people they know with the sneakers on. Now those 7 million people which may be now as high as 10 million begin trying to buy a show with stock levels that are now only at about 2,000 pairs. At release you were competing against 700 people for the same shoe, now your more then likely competing against 5,000 people, therefore prices rise. This process continues as the years go on.

There is also seasonal pricing meaning during busy times where demand is higher such as Christmas, prices rise where as come January the next month more people are saving and there is less demand which can lead to prices dropping. 

The sneaker game and it's pricing is really just simple economics!

If you have any further questions about the sneaker pricing structure send us a DM on Instagram, @SneakerDealer.ie or email us at SneakerDealer.ie@gmail.com