Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: May 2024
NAICS OD5105Revenue
$38.5bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
46,134
Businesses
23,360
Wages
$X.Xbn
Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry analysis
Over the past five years, several significant trends have influenced the Online Sporting Goods Sales industry. The cultural importance of sports in the US, encompassing everything from youth participation to professional leagues like the NFL and NBA, has sustained consistent demand for sporting goods and equipment. Enthusiasts and hobby athletes invest continuously in products that enhance their performance and enjoyment. Furthermore, the surge in online shopping has notably accelerated revenue gains. Consumers have increasingly favored the convenience of purchasing goods online, this shift was dramatically amplified during COVID-19. Enhanced online shopping experiences, featuring user-friendly websites, detailed product descriptions and customer reviews, have also fueled this transition. Retailers responded by heavily investing in technology and logistics to meet the growing consumer demand. Overall, industry revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 9.5% to $38.5 billion over the past five years, including an expected bump of 4.0% in 2024 alone.
Trends and Insights
- The industry has benefited from more health-conscious individuals requiring sporting goods in recent years. The expansion of gym offerings and post-collegiate recreational sports has been and will likely continue to be a major factor for revenue growth.
- Consumers aged 45 to 64 are the industry’s largest market segment. The demographic has grown to claim a larger share of revenue in recent years.
- Like most retail industries in the United States, the geographical spread of the industry's establishments closely reflects the distribution of the nation's population. Therefore, online sporting goods retailers are concentrated in the Southeast and West regions.
- Intensifying competition from mass merchandisers has partially constrained industry revenue growth due to strong price-based competition. While the former competitor benefit from purchasing power, the latter can lower their selling prices as they save on rent expenses.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $38.5bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The cultural significance of sports in the US fuels industry growth
- Sports are deeply embedded in American culture, from youth participation to the enthusiasm for professional leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB. This cultural passion drives a consistent demand for sporting goods and equipment, ranging from youth sports gear to professional gear.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Upward trends in sports participation rates will drive demand for sporting goods
- According to the American College of Sports Medicine, fitness programs are among the most popular trends for older adults. As the aging population becomes more health-conscious, there will be an uptick in participation in low-intensity exercises like walking, swimming and bowling.
Biggest companies in the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Recreational Equipment, Inc. | 917.6 | 47.7 | 5.2 | |
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | 764.7 | 44.6 | 5.8 | |
BPS Direct LLC | 524.3 | 25.3 | 4.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Sporting good and equipment, Firearms and hunting equipment and Accessories. Sporting good and equipment is the largest segment of the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US.
Trends and Insights
Sporting goods and equipment is the industry's largest segment
- This segment includes the sale of sporting goods and equipment like bicycles, golf equipment, exercise and fitness equipment.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Sporting Goods Stores in the US
- Department Stores in the US
- Used Goods Stores in the US
Complementors
- Athletic & Sporting Goods Manufacturing in the US
- Sporting Goods Wholesaling in the US
International industries
- E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada
- Sport and Camping Equipment Retailing in Australia
- Sport and Camping Equipment Retailing in New Zealand
- Sporting and Outdoor Equipment Retailers in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Online Sporting Goods Sales industry includes online stores that retail new sporting goods such as bicycles, camping equipment, exercise and fitness equipment and other sporting goods and accessories. Products are sourced from sporting goods manufacturers and wholesalers, and then sold to the general public via retail channels.
What's included in this industry?
Sporting goods and equipmentFirearms and hunting equipmentAccessoriesCompanies
Recreational Equipment, Inc.Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.BPS Direct LLCPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
POINT-OF-SALE (POS)BRICK-AND-MORTARBIG DATAIndustry Code
NAICS 45411 - Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The industry has benefited from more health-conscious individuals requiring sporting goods in recent years. The expansion of gym offerings and post-collegiate recreational sp...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Consumers aged 45 to 64 are the industry’s largest market segment. The demographic has grown to claim a larger share of revenue in recent years.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Like most retail industries in the United States, the geographical spread of the industry's establishments closely reflects the distribution of the nation's population. There...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Intensifying competition from mass merchandisers has partially constrained industry revenue growth due to strong price-based competition. While the former competitor benefit ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Dick's Sporting Goods, BPS Direct and REI are the industry's major players. None of these companies commands more than 5.0% of the market share.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Recreational Equipment, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of BPS Direct LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Recreational Equipment, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for BPS Direct LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Online sporting goods retailers must follow all common labor, safety and e-commerce laws. Also, sporting goods retailers that sell firearms must also abide by all state and f...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Cost structures vary among retailers depending on specialization and size of operation. Larger stores can use economies of scale to command better wholesale prices.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States is $38.5bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in 2024?
There are 23,360 businesses in the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 13.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 9.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Online Sporting Goods Sales market in United States are Recreational Equipment, Inc., Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. and BPS Direct LLC
What does the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US in United States include?
Sporting goods and equipment and Firearms and hunting equipment are part of the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Recreational Equipment, Inc..
How competitive is the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Online Sporting Goods Sales in the US industry in United States.
