Nike announced plans to toss out its president and CEO John Donahoe, as demand falters for the brand's sneakers.He'll be replaced by former senior executive Elliott Hill, who will take over next month.

(Reuters) - Nike's new CEO will likely focus on repairing relations with retailers to boost demand, a strategy that took a back seat under outgoing chief John Donahoe, industry experts said on Friday.

Nike Inc. ousted beleaguered Chief Executive Officer John Donahoe, bringing longtime executive Elliott Hill out of retirement in a bid to return the struggling athletic brand to its glory days.

Nike on Thursday announced it would replace CEO John Donahoe with his former colleague, Elliott Hill, sending the stock soaring on the news. Hill, 60, is returning to Nike four years after retiring from the sneaker giant.

Nike says Elliott Hill will replace John Donahoe as CEO in October. Nike has struggled to turn around its business over the last year.

The athletic giant announced Thursday that CEO John Donahoe will retire next month and will be replaced by Elliott Hill, a veteran former Nike executive. Nike’s stock rose 9% during after-hours trading Thursday,

Nike’s beleaguered stock was rising sharply after the company announced that its CEO would retire.The athletic shoe and apparel maker has been hurt in recent years from a slowdown in China and competition from upstarts like Deckers Outdoor’s Hoka brand and On Holding.