What is the Current State of the Top 10 Largest Sporting Goods Stores in the World?
The sporting goods industry is growing at stellar rates, as sporting goods store sales in the United States alone amount to more than 45 billion U.S. dollars annually. The top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world in 2020 are directly leading this growth with sales increasing year-over-year from 2019. The largest manufacturers of sportings goods and equipment are leading the way with stellar revenues and new product innovations. Sporting goods include athletic footwear, exercise equipment, licensed sports merchandise, and athletic apparel, fitness equipment, and much more. The largest sporting goods store in the world is Dick’s Sporting Goods. However, when expanding that list to all sports retailers, Nike is the largest sports brand in the world, while Walmart has the highest revenue earner among all retailers.
Read the following post to better understand key figures and questions you have about the top sporting goods stores in the world, including:
- Who is the largest sporting goods retailer?
- Complete list of the top 10 sporting goods stores in the world ranked by revenue and brand power.
- What are the best sporting goods retailers?
- Connect with the top sporting goods stores in the world on a B2B level.
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Global Sporting Goods Stats & Trends
- The sporting goods market in China grew 16.5 percent a year (CAGR) from 2015 to 2019.
- Athleisure is a megatrend in the industry, especially after the pandemic.
- Sustainability has become a primary consumer priority as companies have responded by introducing more sustainable products.
- By 2024, for instance, the global sports apparel market is expected generate over 200 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of annual revenue.
Ranking the Top 10 Largest Sporting Goods Stores in 2020
This is BizVibe’s ranking of the top 10 sporting goods stores in the world in 2020.
1. Nike
Who is the largest sporting goods retailer? With annual revenues of USD 36.39 billion, Nike is the largest sporting goods store in the world in 2020. Nike is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. The company was initially founded as Blue Ribbon Sports and became Nike in 1971. Nike is known for some of the most notable brands in the world including Air Jordan, Nike Pro, Air Force 1, Air Max, and many more. Nike has products in sports equipment, street fashion, and collectibles. Due to its popularity and immense annual revenues for its sporting goods division, Nike ranks number 1 on our list of the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world in 2020.
- Founded: 1964
- Nike Headquarters: Beaverton, Oregon, USA
- Nike Revenue: USD 36.93 billion
- Nike Number of Employees: 73,100
Nike Sporting Goods Products
- Athletic footwear & apparel
- Athletic & recreational products
- Sports equipment
2. Walmart
Walmart ranks 2nd on our list of the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world in 2020. Wal-mart’s sporting goods division brings in USD 10 billion in sales annually. Walmart as an entire company has revenues of USD 523.96 billion annually — making it one of the largest sports retailers and overall the largest company in the world by revenue. The company was founded in 1950 by the Walton’s (also its previous name).
- Founded: 1962
- Walmart Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
- Walmart Revenue: USD 523.96 billion
- Walmart Number of Employees: 2.2 million
Walmart Sporting Goods Products
- Fitness indoor products
- Fitness outdoor products
- Bikes
- Sporting goods
- Exercise equipment
3. Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods is an American sporting goods retail company, based in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania and ranks 3rd on this list of the largest sporting goods stores in the world in 2020. Dick’s Sporting Goods is the nation’s largest sporting retailer and operates 850 stores with over 30,000 employees. Last year, Dick’s Sporting Goods brought in annual revenues of USD 8.43 billion — making it one of the top sporting goods stores in the world by revenue. Dick’s enjoyed 8.4% sales growth in the United States alone last year.
- Founded: 1948
- Dick’s Sporting Goods Headquarters: Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, USA
- Dick’s Sporting Goods Revenue: USD 8.43 billion
- Dick’s Sporting Goods Number of Employees: 30,000
4. Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy Sports + Outdoors ranks 4th on our list of the biggest sports retailers in the world in 2020. Academy Sports + Outdoors is an American sporting goods discount store chain with headquarters in Harris County, Texas, USA. In May 2011, the company was acquired by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co investment firm. The company operates many discounts serving in areas such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, and Texas.
- Founded: 1962
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Headquarters: Texas, USA
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Revenue: USD 4.9 billion
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Number of Employees: 17,000
Academy Sports + Outdoors Sporting Goods Products
- Outdoors fitness products
- Health + fitness
- Sporting goods
- Bikes
- Sports clothing
- Sports shoes and boots
5. Bass Pro Shops
Coming in at 5th on our list of the world’s largest sporting goods stores in 2020 is Bass Pro Shops, n American privately held retailer of hunting, fishing, camping, and other related outdoor recreation merchandise. Bass Pro Shops brought in revenues of USD 8 billion last year and currently employs about 40,000 employees. Bass Pro Shop’s stores eclipsed sales of USD 7.34 billion last year as well.
- Founded: 1972
- Bass Pro Shops Headquarters: Springfield, Missouri, USA
- Bass Pro Shops Total Revenue: USD 8 billion
- Bass Pro Shops Number of Employees: 40,000
Bass Pro Shops Sporting Goods Products
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Outdoor merchandise
6. Adidas
Adidas is one of the largest sporting goods manufacturers in the world in the same liking as Nike and also 6th on this list of the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world in 2020. Adidas is a multinational corporation, founded and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing, and accessories. Adidas is also the largest sports retailer in Europe and 2nd to only Nike as the largest sportswear manufacturer in the world.
- Founded: 1924
- Adidas Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Adidas Total Revenue: USD 24.06 billion
- Adidas Number of Employees: 57,016
Adidas Sporting Goods Products
- Adidas Shoes
- Adidas Ultraboosts
- Adidas NMD
- Sports Equipment
- Fitness Products
7. Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Recreational Equipment, Inc., also known as REI is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. REI sold USD 1.96 billion worth of sporting goods last year — making it one of the top sports goods stores in the USA in terms of annual sales figures generated. REI operates 151 stores all over and generated USD 2.75 billion in revenue last year across all its divisions.
- Founded: 1938
- REI Headquarters: Kent, Washington, USA
- REI Total Revenue: USD 2.38 billion
- REI Number of Employees: 12,000
8. Big 5 Sporting Goods
Ranking 8th on our list of the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world is Big 5 Sporting Goods, a sporting goods retailer headquartered in El Segundo, California with 434 stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Last year the company generated USD 1.02 billion in annual revenues and continues to be one of the largest sporting good stores in the USA.
- Founded: 1955
- Big 5 Sporting Goods Headquarters: El Segundo, CA, California, USA
- Big 5 Sporting Goods Total Revenue: USD 1.02 billion
- Big 5 Sporting Goods Number of Employees: 9,500
9. Hibbett Sports
Hibbett Sports is a full-line sporting goods retailer headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and ranks 9th on this list of the largest sports retailers in the world in 2020. The company operates sporting goods stores in small to mid-sized markets, in the Southeast, Southwest, and lower Midwest regions of the United States. Last year, Hibbett Sports generated USD 1.08 billion in revenue making it one of the top sporting goods stores in this list in terms of revenue.
- Founded: 1945
- Hibbett Sports Headquarters: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Hibbett Sports Total Revenue: USD 1.08 billion
- Hibbett Sports Number of Employees: 3,200 full-time and 5,500 part-time
10. Modell’s Sporting Goods
Rounding out BizVibe’s list of the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world is Modell’s Sporting Goods, an American sporting goods retailer with locations in the Northeastern United States. Modell’s Sporting Goods is known for its sporting goods and related apparel and last year brought in an annual revenues of USD 765 million for its sporting goods division.
- Founded: 1910
- Modell’s Sporting Goods Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Modell’s Sporting Goods Total Revenue: USD 765 million
This is BizVibe’s list of the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world ranked by its revenues, popularity, and brand power in 2020. The top sporting goods retailers have paved the way for an industry seeing year over year growth in sales and brand power.
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Top Sporting Goods Stores by Revenue 2020
Here is a complete list of the largest sporting goods stores ranked just by revenues from last year.
Rank |
Company |
Revenue (USD billions) |
Headquarters |
| 1 | Walmart | 523.96 | USA |
| 2 | Nike | 36.93 | USA |
| 3 | Adidas | 24.06 | Germany |
| 4 | Dick’s Sporting Goods | 8.43 | USA |
| 5 | Academy Sports + Outdoors | 4.9 | USA |
| 6 | Bass Pro Shops | 8 | USA |
| 7 | REI | 2.38 | USA |
| 8 | Hibbett Sports | 1.08 | USA |
| 9 | Big 5 Sproting Goods | 1.02 | USA |
| 10 | Modell’s Sporting Good | 0.76 | USA |
Looking past 2020, the top 10 largest sporting goods stores in the world are on the right track for better future success with impressive growth figures and strong brand power.
