CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 14, 2025--
Today, two of America’s most iconic brands – Kool-Aid and Nike – announce an epic, wall-breaking collab that is sure to mix things up on and off the court. Introducing the Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2, a one-of-a-kind sneaker collaboration bursting with vibrant colorways inspired by Kool-Aid’s iconic flavors. The partnership blends sneaker culture, self-expression, nostalgia and ultimate comfort—bringing together NBA star Ja Morant’s signature Nike line with Kool-Aid’s spirit of flavor and creativity.
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Inspired by Ja’s life growing up in South Carolina, he wanted the sneaker colorways to nod to the special memories at his grandma’s house. “I remember my grandma always having some Kool-Aid in the fridge and that’s part of my special childhood memories,” says Morant. Kool-Aid and Nike drew inspiration from Ja’s favorite Kool-Aid flavors to help with the design of the shoe. The result is a collaboration that is fun, colorful and energetic, mirroring Ja’s personality on and off the court.
In addition to Ja’s favorite flavors, the new Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2 celebrates fans mixing different Kool-Aid flavors to create their own custom blend–currently trending on TikTok with 26MM videos. That same spirit of creativity and expression is what inspired the sneakers' bold colorway and playful details.
The collection will have two drops for fans – the first in May, followed by a second drop in July. The first drop features a mix of performance and personality, with details including:
The July drop will build on the collab with a boldness and freshness that we see Ja bring to the culture of basketball every day. Details include:
“For nearly 100 years, Kool-Aid has been a symbol of bold flavor, creativity and fun – bringing people together across generations,” says Kristina Hannant, Marketing Director for Ready To Drink Beverages at Kraft Heinz. “Nike and Ja Morant share our passion for self-expression and driving culture, making this collaboration a natural fit. We’re always looking for new and exciting ways for fans to celebrate their love for Kool-Aid, and this sneaker collab lets fans mix their kicks and beverages all in one.”
To further celebrate the launch, Kool-Aid is introducing a limited-edition flavor pack, the first new offering from the brand in over five years. The Mix n’ Kicks combo pack lets fans mix and match four of the brand’s most iconic flavors, and taps into the behavior of fans combining flavors to create their own unique drinks blends. In addition to the new offering, select fans can enter to win a set of custom Kool-Aid dubraes and laces to customize their sneakers.
The first Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2 drops in limited quantities beginning May 16 via the SNKRS app and at select retailers nationwide. Fans can visit the SNKRS app beginning May 2 to sign up for details on the drop and visit www.koolaid.com/mixnkicks to enter to win the flavor pack and accessories. For more information on the Kool-Aid x Nike Ja 2 and to keep up on the drop details, follow @KoolAid @Nike and @JaMorant.
ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let's Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2024 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.
Kool-Aid and Nike Mix Flavor and Footwear with First-Ever Sneaker Collection Featuring Ja Morant
Kool-Aid and Nike Mix Flavor and Footwear with First-Ever Sneaker Collection Featuring Ja Morant
WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation likely remained elevated last month as the cost of electricity, groceries, and clothing may have jumped and continued to pressure consumers' wallets.
The Labor Department is expected to report that consumer prices rose 2.6% in December compared with a year earlier, according to economists' estimates compiled by data provider FactSet. The yearly rate would be down from 2.7% in November. Monthly prices, however, are expected to rise 0.3% in December, faster than is consistent with the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal.
The figures are harder to predict this month, however, because the six-week government shutdown last fall suspended the collection of price data used to compile the inflation rate. Some economists expect the December figures will show a bigger jump in inflation as the data collection process gets back to normal.
Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, are also expected to rise 0.3% in December from the previous month, and 2.7% from a year earlier. The yearly core figure would be an increase from 2.6% in November.
In November, annual inflation fell from 3% in September to 2.7%, in part because of quirks in November's data. (The government never calculated a yearly figure for October). Most prices were collected in the second half of November, after the government reopened, when holiday discounts kicked in, which may have biased November inflation lower.
And since rental prices weren't fully collected in October, the agency that prepares the inflation reports used placeholder estimates that may have biased prices lower, economists said.
Inflation has come down significantly from the four-decade peak of 9.1% that it reached in June 2022, but it has been stubbornly close to 3% since late 2023. The cost of necessities such as groceries is about 25% higher than it was before the pandemic, and other necessities such as rent and clothing have also gotten more expensive, fueling dissatisfaction with the economy that both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden have sought to address, though with limited success.
The Federal Reserve has struggled to balance its goal of fighting inflation by keeping borrowing costs high, while also supporting hiring by cutting interest rates when unemployment worsens. As long as inflation remains above its target of 2%, the Fed will likely be reluctant to cut rates much more.
The Fed reduced its key rate by a quarter-point in December, but Chair Jerome Powell, at a press conference explaining its decision, said the Fed would probably hold off on further cuts to see how the economy evolves.
The 19 members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee have been sharply divided for months over whether to cut its rate further, or keep it at its curent level of about 3.6% to combat inflation.
Trump, meanwhile, has harshly criticized the Fed for not cutting its key short-term rate more sharply, a move he has said would reduce mortgage rates and the government's borrowing costs for its huge debt pile. Yet the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates, which are set by financial markets.
In a move that cast a shadow over the ability of the Fed to fight inflation in the future, the Department of Justice served the central bank last Friday with subpoenas related to Powell's congressional testimony in June about a $2.5 billion renovation of two Fed office buildings. Trump administration officials have suggested that Powell either lied about changes to the building or altered plans in ways that are inconsistent with those approved by planning commissions.
In a blunt response, Powell said Sunday those claims were “pretexts” for an effort by the White House to assert more control over the Fed.
“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President,” Powell said. “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.”
FILE -American Giant clothing is displayed at the company's showroom in San Francisco, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
FILE -A cashier rings up groceries in Dallas, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
