Sporting Goods Stores NAICS 459110
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Industry Summary
The 20,600 sporting goods stores in the US sell a wide range of sporting and athletic products to recreational enthusiasts and the general public. Products typically fall into three broad categories: apparel, footwear, or hardline merchandise (equipment and accessories). Specialty stores may focus on only one category of product, such as golf or skiing.
Intense Competition Creates Challenges
Sporting goods stores face intense competition from large chains, mass merchandisers, catalogs, and Internet retailers.
Reliance On Imports
A significant portion of the products that sporting goods stores purchase for resale, including those purchased from domestic suppliers, are manufactured abroad in countries such as China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Recent Developments
Sep 3, 2025 - Private Equity Purchase of Big 5 Sporting Goods
- Following a trend of private equity investments in the sporting goods industry, El Segundo, California-based Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. is going private in a $112.7 million deal according to reporting in Chain Store Age. Private investment firm Capitol Hill Group and Worldwide Golf, an online and brick-and-mortar retailer, have partnered to purchase the retailer, with the deal expected to close in the second half of the year. According to a press release about the deal, the two entities expect to provide Big Five Sporting Goods with the capital and support to re-energize its growth in the sporting goods retail sector. Marketplace reports that private equity firms are increasingly interested in the youth sports industry. Data from the Aspen Institute showed that US sports families spent an average of $1,016 on their child’s primary sport in 2024, a nearly 50% increase since 2019.
- Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers showed a downward turn, with consumer confidence and consumer sentiment levels falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, declined in August 2025, month over month, falling by 1.3 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels were lower in August, but remained similar to levels in the past three months, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. August’s loss can be attributed to consumers under 35 years old while confidence levels rose for consumers over 55. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.2 in August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.
- The Retail Trade Industry is one of 11 industries reporting growth in July’s Services ISM Report on Business. Executives in the Retail Trade industry reported an increase in business activity, prices paid for materials and services, employment, and inventories, along with faster supply deliveries and a decrease in order backlogs in July. Additional industries reporting growth during the period were Transportation & Warehousing; Wholesale Trade; Finance & Insurance; Other Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Public Administration; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Information; Utilities; and Health Care & Social Assistance. Seven industries reporting contraction during the period were Accommodation & Food Services; Construction; Mining; Educational Services; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. Overall, economic activity in the services sector grew in July for the second consecutive month, with the Services PMI registering 50.1%.
- DICK’s Sporting Goods will expand its audience reach with its recently announced deal to acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 billion, according to a report by Placer.ai. In addition to expanding its reach, DICK’s expects the partnership to strengthen partnerships with suppliers, create a global platform in the sporting goods category, deliver operational efficiencies, and improve its omnichannel capabilities. Foot Locker, which has a strong presence in malls and urban centers with 2,400 locations globally, expands DICK's demographic reach into a younger, more fashion-conscious customer with a deep connection to sneaker culture. DICK’s, which has more than 850 locations under the DICK’s, Golf Galaxy, and other brands, has traditionally been situated in suburban settings with a family-friendly environment. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025.
Industry Revenue
Sporting Goods Stores
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average sporting goods store employs about 19 workers and generates about $4 million in annual revenue.
- The sporting goods stores industry is comprised of 20,600 retail establishments, generating sales of about $61.7 billion, and employing 299,200 workers
- Large sporting goods retailers include Dick's Sporting Goods, Cabela's, and Big 5 Sports.
- In general, competition tends to fall into the following five basic categories, depending on a stores size and/or product offerings: superstores, traditional stores, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, or catalog/internet retailers.
- Superstores - Stores in this category are usually 35,000 square feet or larger and tend to be in freestanding locations. These stores typically offer a very wide number of products, across all athletic and sporting venues, and emphasize high volume sales. They often offer their own private label branded products, in addition to nationally branded products. Examples of sporting goods superstores include Dick's Sporting Goods and Academy Sports & Outdoors.
- Traditional Stores - These stores usually range in size from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet and are frequently located in regional malls and multi-store shopping centers. Traditional stores can be independent or chain stores, usually carry a varied assortment of athletic and sporting merchandise, and often position themselves as convenient neighborhood stores. Stores in this category include Big 5 Sporting Goods and Hibbett Sports.
- Specialty Stores - Specialty sporting goods stores range in size from about 2,000 to 20,000 square feet and typically offer an extensive assortment of one specific product category, such as athletic shoes, golf, or outdoor equipment, or may focus on one or a limited number of sports. They often have a lower operating-cost advantage because of their smaller store footprint. Specialty stores typically carry higher quality lines of products, selling at higher prices but lower volume, and may offer more extensive services, like repair and maintenance, or pro-shops. Examples of these stores include Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Foot Locker, and REI.
- Mass Merchandisers - This category includes discount retailers such as Walmart or Target, and department stores such as Macy's and Kohl's. They may be located in regional malls, shopping centers, or freestanding sites. These stores range in size from 50,000 to 200,000 square feet, but the space devoted to sporting goods merchandise represents a very small portion of their overall square footage. Their merchandise selection is usually much more limited than other sporting goods retailers, and is typically focused on popular sports and fast-moving merchandise. Mass merchandisers place less emphasis on customer service and equipment services, but usually have a price advantage over other retailers due to their greater purchasing power.
- Catalog and Online Retailers - This category consists of numerous retailers that sell a broad array of new and used sporting goods or accessories via catalogs or the Internet. These retailers typically compete by offering some combination of low prices and shopping convenience. They can offer low prices, due to their lower overhead expenses and often sales tax avoidance, as well as the convenience of shipping direct to the consumer. The Internet has been a rapidly growing sales channel, particularly among younger consumers, and an increasing source of competition within the sporting goods retail industry.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Sporting Goods Stores Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
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