Swimming Pool and Spa Retailers

The 10,000 swimming pool and spa retailers in the US sell above ground pools, hot tubs, and related equipment, supplies, and merchandise. Other merchandise categories include backyard and patio furniture, grills, and saunas. Firms may also offer pool and hot tub maintenance, repair, construction, or renovation services.

Seasonal Demand

Demand for pool and spa supplies is highly seasonal and dependent on climate and weather conditions in a particular geographical area.

Energy Efficiency

Interest in cost savings and energy conservation has encouraged pool owners to investigate more efficient equipment.

Jul 30, 2026 - Retailers Reposition Cold Plunges for Growth

• Cold plunge tubs are shifting from a fast-growing trend to a niche wellness category, requiring US swimming pool and spa retailers to focus more on education and bundled wellness solutions than impulse sales, according to Spa Retailer magazine. Retailers report that interest remains strong, but high prices, particularly for models over $5,000, have slowed purchases as consumers become more value-conscious. Instead of stand-alone products, cold tubs are increasingly being marketed alongside hot tubs and saunas as part of a broader contrast therapy and home wellness experience. Retailers are responding with hands-on demonstrations, financing options, partnerships with local gyms, and experiential showroom displays to convert curiosity into sales. While social media continues to generate awareness, sustained growth will depend on convincing consumers of the long-term wellness benefits and making premium products more affordable.
• The US retail industry continued to expand in June but trailed the broader services sector in several key measures, signaling steady but moderating growth. According to the ISM Services PMI, the overall services sector expanded for the 24th consecutive month, with the Services PMI easing to 54.0 from 54.5 in May. Retail Trade remained one of the 14 industries reporting growth and was among the industries reporting increases in business activity, new orders, employment, and inventories, indicating solid operating conditions. Retail respondents also reported unusually strong seasonal demand, stable pricing, healthy staffing levels, and resilient supply chains. However, retail was not among the industries reporting higher prices or growing order backlogs, suggesting cost pressures and future demand were less robust than in many other service industries. Overall, the data point to stable retail fundamentals despite a broader moderation in services growth.
• Nearly three-quarters of pool and spa retailers reported increased customer price sensitivity, highlighting growing consumer caution and margin pressure across the US pool and spa supplies retailer industry, according to Aqua Magazine's 2026 State of the Industry Retail Report. Nearly half of retailers reported revenue growth in 2025, while a sizable share experienced declines, underscoring uneven market conditions. Inflation, tariffs, interest rates, and supplier cost increases continue to influence pricing decisions, with more than 80% of retailers planning additional price increases in 2026. At the same time, customers are becoming more deliberate in their purchasing decisions, placing greater emphasis on practical benefits and financing options. Retailers are responding by emphasizing core categories such as chemicals, equipment, and hot tubs while selectively expanding into wellness products like saunas and cold plunges. Despite ongoing challenges, most retailers remain optimistic about 2026.
• Weak performance at a major industry player highlights pressure on US pool and spa retailers, as Leslie’s reported Q1 sales down 16% to $147.1 million and comparable sales down 15.5%, with gross profit falling 43.3% to $27.1 million, according to a Pool and Spa News report. The company closed 80 underperforming stores, reflecting ongoing demand softness and the need for operational restructuring. Despite this, early Q2 trends showed positive comparable sales in January, signaling potential stabilization. In response, Leslie’s is shifting to value pricing and enhanced in-store engagement to drive traffic, conversion, and customer retention. Overall, the industry faces near-term demand pressure and margin compression, but retailers are adapting through pricing strategies, cost optimization, and customer re-engagement initiatives.

Industry size & Structure

The average swimming pool and spa retailer employs 32 workers and generates about $500,000 in annual revenue.

• The swimming pool and spa retail industry generates approximately $5 billion in annual revenue. An estimated 4,500 retailers sell spas, according to PK Data. The swimming pool equipment and supply retail industry consists of an estimated 5,500 stores, although the degree of overlap between swimming pool and spa retailing is unknown.
• The industry is highly fragmented and dominated by independent operators and franchisees that operate within a limited geographical market.
• The pool and spa industry's installation base in the US consists of 5.5 million residential pools and 3.3 million above-the-ground pools, according to the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. There are 7.3 million hot tubs, according to a study by Pool and Spa Marketing.
• About 60% of consumer spending in the pool industry is for maintenance and minor repair of existing swimming pools. The average in-ground pool owner spends $900 annually on chemicals, equipment, parts, and accessories needed for pool maintenance. The average revenue per transaction for pool supplies retailers is $171, per the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
• The top product categories by sales for pool supplies retailers include chemicals/salt/filter media (47.8%), equipment (21.2%), and parts and maintenance equipment (18%), according to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
• Leslie's Poolmart is the largest retailer of pool supplies and has over 1,000 stores in the US. Pinch a Penny is the largest franchised pool and spa care company over 300 stores located primarily in the Southeast.