We try very hard to be as inclusive of as many different brands here at Esquire Singapore, especially when it comes to our weekly sneaker coverage. But when it comes to sneaker drops, it's tough to avoid mentioning Nike or to even include other sneaker brands at times because they're just ahead of the game in every possible way.
On Cop the Drop this week, we're dedicating this to three Nike releases that are guaranteed to be profitable in the resale market. First up is a bold and colourful treatment that's a nod to Nike's longstanding ethos, followed by a second tease leading up to the upcoming Air Max Day. And lastly, an Air Jordan icon that one can't help but lust after.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: Nike Dunk Low 'City Market'
There are many things about the 'City Market' colourway of Nike's Dunk Low that makes it a one-of-a-kind sneaker. The patchwork of different graphics allude to Nike's use of durable materials—we never really do (and shouldn't) throw away all those reusable bags because they always last—that has been part of the brand's history and legacy. And with quite a busy design aesthetic, the Swoosh has been rendered in a translucent material with a topstitched finish that defines that iconic motif.
Where: Nike
When: 4 March 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD159
Price of the Nike Dunk Low 'City Market' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD1,082 with a low of SGD480. The average sale price is SGD634.
Recommendation: Short it.
The stats speak for themselves. The more than SGD1,000 resale price may be an anomaly, but with a low that'll still gain you at least 200 percent profit, the Dunk Low 'City Market' is one pair that's perfect for the resale market. It's quite a unique sneaker but when the profit margin is that good, what else is there to do really?
Commodity: Nike Air Max 90 SE 'Swoosh Mart'
Air Max Day is less than a month away and we're starting to see celebratory (and perhaps rather bonkers) designs that celebrate the Nike icon. This 'Swoosh Mart' iteration is said to be inspired by a Japanese convenience store essential: fried chicken. The yellow-and-white uppers may be familiar to those who frequent such stores as they resemble the packaging one would typically get together with the fried chicken. And staying true to the inspiration in such a playful way, the toe box and the surrounding collar are removable and reveal a brown suede surprise that's meant to resemble fried chicken. Brilliant.
Where: Limited Edt
When: 4 March 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD209
Price of the Nike Air Max 90 SE 'Swoosh Mart' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD362 with a low of SGD266. The average sale price is SGD330.
Recommendation: Short it.
Limited Edt is getting an earlier release than most with this. And while there's still plenty of sizes available at the time of publication, we're quite certain that this novelty pair is bound to be a collector's item. We'd say short it but if you're keen on holding on to a pair because of its rather unique treatment, you probably won't be suffering any losses too.
Commodity: Air Jordan 1 'University Blue'
There's no doubt that every Air Jordan 1 release is more or less a guaranteed hot ticket. The 'University' series is arguably the most coveted, even if they've been revived multiple times over the decades. There's nothing exceptionally special about the colourway—it's pretty much true to the original—but the fact that its part of such an important milestone in the AJ1 history, it's worth every penny, sweat and tears in trying to cop one.
Where: Nike
When: 6 March 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD239
Price of the Air Jordan 1 'University Blue' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD934 with a low of SGD506. The average sale price is SGD589.
Recommendation: Short it.
Not sure if you're already seeing a trend here, but every sneaker on Cop the Drop this week is worthy of the resale market and should be flipped as soon as you get a hold of one. AJ1s are pretty much guaranteed investments and this colourway especially (regardless of how many times it's been revived) is one of the most revered. So there really shouldn't be any hesitation if you're intending on making a profit: short it.
More drops:
Cop the drop: August 2020
Cop the drop: September 2020
Cop the drop: October 2020
Cop the drop: November 2020
Cop the drop: December 2020
Cop the drop: January 2021
