Sporting Goods Stores Industry Profile

The US retail sporting goods industry includes about 20,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $35 billion. Large chain operators include Academy, Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Hibbett Sports, REI, and The Sports Authority. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for more than 55 percent of revenue. Only about 140 companies have more than five stores.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by population demographics and consumer income. The profitability of individual companies depends on merchandising and marketing skills. Large chains have an advantage in stocking a wide variety of goods. Small companies and specialty retailers can compete successfully by carrying a deeper product line in specialized sports, hiring highly experienced staff, offering repair services, or by serving a local market. The industry is labor-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is about $145,000.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products are outdoor clothing and shoes, firearms, sports and exercise equipment, and bicycles. Sports equipment accounts for 65 percent of industry revenue; clothing, 20 percent; and footwear, 10 percent. Major equipment categories include exercise, hunting and firearms, golf, fishing, and camping.

Sporting goods stores vary according to format and merchandise. Large-format stores are from 20,000 to 200,000 square feet, stock a large number of items, and are typically found as anchor stores in strip malls or in stand-alone locations. Traditional sporting goods retail stores vary in size from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet, carry a more limited number of ...