Sporting and Recreational Goods Wholesalers
Industry Profile Report
Dive Deep into the industry with a 25+ page industry report (pdf format) including the following chapters
Industry Overview Current Conditions, Industry Structure, How Firms Operate, Industry Trends, Credit Underwriting & Risks, and Industry Forecast.
Call Preparation Call Prep Questions, Industry Terms, and Weblinks.
Financial Insights Working Capital, Capital Financing, Business Valuation, and Financial Benchmarks.
Industry Profile Excerpts
Industry Overview
The 4,600 sporting goods wholesalers in the US distribute merchandise related to sports and recreational activities. Major product categories include small firearms, ammunition, and shooting aids; athletic equipment and accessories; bicycles and bicycle parts and accessories; swimming pools and related supplies; and playground equipment. Other product categories include camping and fishing equipment; marine pleasure craft, equipment and accessories; skiing and snowboarding equipment; and billiards, pool, and bowling equipment and accessories.
Seasonal Demand
Demand for various types of sporting goods varies throughout the year, depending on the sport.
Dependence On Imports
The majority of sporting goods are manufactured in China or Taiwan, and then shipped to the US by sea.
Industry size & Structure
The average sporting goods wholesaler operates out of a single location, employs 14 workers, and generates about $10 million annually.
- The sporting goods wholesale industry consists of about 4,600 companies that employ about 66,500 workers and generate about $45 billion annually.
- The industry is concentrated at the top and fragmented at the bottom; the top 50 companies account for about 51% of industry revenue.
- Large companies include Big Rock Sports and BSN Sports.
Industry Forecast
Sporting and Recreational Goods Wholesalers Industry Growth
Recent Developments
Mar 28, 2025 - Geopolitical Concerns Worry Sporting Goods Leaders
- A new report by McKinsey revealed that 84% of global sporting goods industry executives have expressed concern about the impact of the geopolitical environment on their business. The report said potential tariff increases in 2025 could have significant effects on the sporting goods sector in terms of pricing and supply chain management. McKinsey said companies can prepare for tariffs by reviewing their supply chain footprints and inventory management practices to derisk and diversify their supply chains. Sporting goods companies also must manage shifting consumer demands, as shoppers continue to be cautious amid persistent inflation. The global sporting goods sector saw a 7% annual growth rate from 2021 to 2024 and a growth outlook of 6% a year from 2024 to 2029, with slowdowns expected in the Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, and Latin America regions. Meanwhile, North America is expected to grow from $114 billion in 2017 to $209 billion in 2029.
- Sports participation by Americans reached a new high in 2024, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) Topline Participation Report. The report found that 80% of Americans, or 247.1 million people, participated in at least one sport, fitness exercise, or outdoor research activity in 2024, the highest rate since SFIA has been tracking activity levels. The report tracks participation rates of Americans aged six and older across more than 120 different sports, fitness, and outdoor activities. Pickleball remains the fastest-growing sport, with participation up 311% from three years ago. The racquet sports category is performing well, with five out of seven racquet sports posting higher year-over-year participation totals. Many sports featured in the 2024 Paris Olympic games saw an uptick in participation in 2024 including wrestling, basketball, volleyball, and track and field.
- Wholesale Trade is one of the 14 industries reporting growth in February’s Services ISM Report on Business. Executives in the Wholesale Trade industry reported increases in business activity, new orders, and employment, while reporting slower deliveries, decreased inventories, and higher prices paid for materials and services. Services industries reporting growth during the period included Finance & Insurance; Other Services, Utilities; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Mining; Real Estate, and Rental & Leasing. The three services industries reporting contraction during the period were Management of Companies & Support Services; Retail Trade; and Educational Services. Overall, economic activity in the services sector expanded in February, with the Services PMI registering 53.5%.
- A new study by the National Retail Federation (NRF) of the estimated impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals shows the tariffs could increase costs of major consumer product categories including apparel, toys, furniture, household appliances, footwear, and travel goods. The study looked at the impact of Trump’s proposed universal 10-20% tariff on imports from all countries and an additional tax on imports from China. Per the study, consumers would pay $13.9 billion to $24 billion more for apparel and $6.4 billion to $10.7 billion more for footwear with the proposed tariffs in place. The study showed the tariffs would have a “significant and detrimental impact” on the costs of a wide range of consumer products, in particular those products supplied primarily by China. US retailers would be unable to absorb the increased costs and would need to raise prices “higher than many consumers would be willing or able to pay,” according to the study.
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