What: The sportswear giant is shifting toward a more DTC-driver business.

Why is it important: The athletics retailer is joined by Adidas and Under Armour in the quest to make more profitable sales through DTC channels.

Nike has notified another seven wholesale accounts that they will be shut down. Among those cut are big names, including DSW, Urban Outfitters and Macy's, along with Big Five, Olympia Sports, Duhnams and Shoe Show. Nike will no longer sell apparel directly to Macy's, but the Finish Line at Macy's business is still supposed to receive products. The news comes after the athletics retailer dropped nine wholesale accounts last August, including Belk and Zappos.

It's the latest move in Nike's strategy to focus more on its own DTC sales and limit wholesale to only certain "strategic partners." The Consumer Direct Acceleration strategy also hinges on investing more in digital and the rollout of up to 200 small-format stores in the model of its digitally enabled Nike Live concept.

Nike drops DSW, Urban Outfitters, Macy's in quest for more DTC sales

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