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
Jan 5, 2026 - Slower Growth Expected
- The US sporting goods stores industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.47% between 2025 and 2029, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. The expected growth rate is slower than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth. The report projects sluggish but positive economic growth in the coming years. Factors that continue to limit consumer spending are lower consumer sentiment levels, higher interest levels, and elevated price levels. Real disposable income is being limited by a slow rise of employment and higher consumption prices, with a projected increase of real disposable income of 1.8% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026. The report noted that some shifts in consumer behavior persisted in 2025, including increased online shopping.
- Consumer sentiment in December 2025 signaled a cautious spending environment for the US retail sector. The University of Michigan Index rose 3.7% month over month to 52.9, though confidence remains 30% below December 2024, and 63% of consumers expect rising unemployment. Inflation expectations eased to 4.2% (1 year) and 3.2% (long run), offering modest relief but not enough to shift overall caution. Meanwhile, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell to 89.1, with the Present Situation Index down 9.5 points and expectations holding at a recession associated 70.7. Consumers continue shifting spending toward essential, lower cost categories. For US retailers, these indicators point to ongoing pressure on discretionary spending, softer demand for big ticket items, and continued strength in value oriented and necessity driven segments. Retailers may face a slow growth environment as consumers prioritize affordability and delay nonessential purchases.
- Hibbett’s new partnership with Uber Eats reflects a growing trend among sporting goods retailers to offer on-demand delivery, according to a report by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). With nearly 900 Hibbett stores now accessible through the Uber Eats app, customers can order sneakers, apparel, and accessories for fast, local delivery. This follows similar moves by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy, which joined Uber Eats earlier in 2025 to deliver athletic gear and golf equipment. These collaborations signal a shift toward omnichannel fulfillment, allowing retailers to meet rising consumer expectations for speed and convenience. For the sporting goods industry, integrating with delivery platforms enhances reach, supports impulse purchases, and strengthens competitiveness against e-commerce giants.
- Following a trend of private equity investments in the sporting goods industry, El Segundo, California-based Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp has gone 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, partnered to purchase the retailer, with the deal closing in October 2025. 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. Big 5 continues as a wholly owned subsidiary following the deal. 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.
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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