D. Tighe
Research expert covering consumer behavior, sporting goods retail, and the global toy industry.
Sporting goods industry in the U.S. - statistics & facts
As is the case for many industries, the United States plays a leading role in the sports apparel, footwear, and equipment market, as it generates several billion dollars every single month. Sporting goods store sales in the United States alone amounted to roughly 63 billion U.S. dollars in the year 2022. Sporting goods encompass many different kinds of products, including, but not limited to athletic footwear, exercise equipment, licensed sports merchandise, and athletic apparel.
When it comes to retail stores, there are several large U.S. sports apparel and footwear retailers to consider, including Big 5 Sporting Goods, Hibbett Sports, Dick's, and Bass Pro. During its latest financial year, the Alabama-based Hibbett Sports generated net sales of over 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, the bulk of which was earned through footwear sales.
Leading manufacturers and retailers
It comes to no surprise that Nike, the American sports apparel and footwear manufacturer, is the most valuable sports business brand in the world. Just within its latest two fiscal years, the Nike brand generated over 50 billion U.S. dollars, making it the leading athletic apparel, accessories, and footwear company in the world, based on sales. This was more than double the value generated by Adidas, which ranked second. Moreover, nearly every consumer in the United States are aware of Nike's existence, with two-thirds of surveyed online shoppers saying they also liked the brand.When it comes to retail stores, there are several large U.S. sports apparel and footwear retailers to consider, including Big 5 Sporting Goods, Hibbett Sports, Dick's, and Bass Pro. During its latest financial year, the Alabama-based Hibbett Sports generated net sales of over 1.7 billion U.S. dollars, the bulk of which was earned through footwear sales.
The future of the sporting goods market
The sporting goods market is a major industry across the globe and it is one that shows no signs of slowing down for the foreseeable future. By 2029, for instance, the American sports equipment industry is expected to reach nearly 24 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue. Similarly, other categories within the sporting goods sector are projected to grow in the coming years: after the trying year that was 2020 (due to the coronavirus pandemic) and the impact of inflation in 2022 annual U.S. sports and swimwear market revenue is set to reach about 79 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, and over 90 billion by 2028.
