Athletic and sporting goods sales have benefited from a recovering economy and shifting consumer behavior that favors a healthier lifestyle and higher sports participation. The number of consumers participating in sports and other physical activities has risen in recent years, with the largest jump happening in 2021 amid pent-up demand for exercise and group activities like sports. Despite this, favorable macroeconomic conditions, including rising disposable income and growing consumer confidence, encouraged consumers to participate in more activities for leisure, boosting demand for athletic and sporting gear and equipment. Although trends like elevated inflation and heightened economic uncertainty weakened demand for new products since 2022, as consumers prioritized necessities, these losses have fallen short of reversing the 2021 gains. Despite this recovery, rising operating costs have made producers less profitable, as they adapt to changes in demand and input price volatility. As a result, revenue has been growing at an estimated CAGR of 2.0% to $10.3 billion through the end of 2025, despite a 0.8% drop that year alone. The industry faces significant competition from foreign manufacturers, as lower operating costs overseas encourage offshoring practices and enhance price-based competition within the industry. The recent appreciation of the US dollar has contributed to this trend, as it makes imported products comparatively more affordable to domestic buyers. However, strong protectionary measures by the US Government, like imposing Section 301 on imports from China, have lowered import penetration and made domestic producers more competitive. Despite this, US manufacturers are facing growing competition from producers based in countries like Vietnam and Thailand, allowing imports to continue satisfying more than 45.0% of domestic demand. The expected depreciation of the dollar is likely to create opportunities for domestic producers to recover, as it enables exports to grow as a share of revenue and causes import penetration to weaken. Consumers are expected to become more health-conscious, supporting demand for athletic equipment. Preventative care and promoting physical activity are vital components to ensuring that consumers live healthier lifestyles; demand for manufacturers rises as consumers focus on improving their quality of life. Overall, revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.1% to $10.9 billion through 2030.

The sporting goods manufacturing industry has benefitted from rising health consciousness over the past decade, which spurred an uptick in sports participation, driving demand. However, inflationary pressures plagued the industry in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in people cutting discretionary spending. Revenue is expected to sink at a compound annual rate of 5% over the five years through 2024 to €9.3 billion, including an estimated dip of 2.4% in 2024. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, pent-up demand and supply chain disruptions incited inflationary pressures, ratcheting up living costs. This resulted in many people’s real household disposable income’s plummeting, forcing them to cut discretionary spending on goods like sporting equipment. Despite central banks across Europe raising interest rates to curb rising prices, inflation persisted in the two years through 2023, hurting demand. However, rising sport participation and health consciousness have supported revenue in recent years, with Denmark achieving the top spot as the sportiest country in the EU, according to the Sporting Good Intelligence Group. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2029 to €11.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is anticipated to reach 9%. Sporting goods manufacturing will welcome declining costs as inflationary pressures subside in the short term, as tightening monetary policy takes hold. Sport participation will also continue to rise, supported by robust funding towards promoting exercise as governments seek to slow down rising obesity across Europe. Major events like the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will drive sport participation in the years following, supporting revenue growth.

The sporting goods manufacturing industry has benefitted from rising health consciousness over the past decade, which spurred an uptick in sports participation, driving demand. However, inflationary pressures plagued the industry in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in people cutting discretionary spending. Revenue is expected to sink at a compound annual rate of 5% over the five years through 2024 to €9.3 billion, including an estimated dip of 2.4% in 2024. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, pent-up demand and supply chain disruptions incited inflationary pressures, ratcheting up living costs. This resulted in many people’s real household disposable income’s plummeting, forcing them to cut discretionary spending on goods like sporting equipment. Despite central banks across Europe raising interest rates to curb rising prices, inflation persisted in the two years through 2023, hurting demand. However, rising sport participation and health consciousness have supported revenue in recent years, with Denmark achieving the top spot as the sportiest country in the EU, according to the Sporting Good Intelligence Group. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2029 to €11.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is anticipated to reach 9%. Sporting goods manufacturing will welcome declining costs as inflationary pressures subside in the short term, as tightening monetary policy takes hold. Sport participation will also continue to rise, supported by robust funding towards promoting exercise as governments seek to slow down rising obesity across Europe. Major events like the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will drive sport participation in the years following, supporting revenue growth.

The sporting goods manufacturing industry has benefitted from rising health consciousness over the past decade, which spurred an uptick in sports participation, driving demand. However, inflationary pressures plagued the industry in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in people cutting discretionary spending. Revenue is expected to sink at a compound annual rate of 5% over the five years through 2024 to €9.3 billion, including an estimated dip of 2.4% in 2024. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, pent-up demand and supply chain disruptions incited inflationary pressures, ratcheting up living costs. This resulted in many people’s real household disposable income’s plummeting, forcing them to cut discretionary spending on goods like sporting equipment. Despite central banks across Europe raising interest rates to curb rising prices, inflation persisted in the two years through 2023, hurting demand. However, rising sport participation and health consciousness have supported revenue in recent years, with Denmark achieving the top spot as the sportiest country in the EU, according to the Sporting Good Intelligence Group. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2029 to €11.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is anticipated to reach 9%. Sporting goods manufacturing will welcome declining costs as inflationary pressures subside in the short term, as tightening monetary policy takes hold. Sport participation will also continue to rise, supported by robust funding towards promoting exercise as governments seek to slow down rising obesity across Europe. Major events like the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will drive sport participation in the years following, supporting revenue growth.

The sporting goods manufacturing industry has benefitted from rising health consciousness over the past decade, which spurred an uptick in sports participation, driving demand. However, inflationary pressures plagued the industry in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, resulting in people cutting discretionary spending. Revenue is expected to sink at a compound annual rate of 5% over the five years through 2024 to €9.3 billion, including an estimated dip of 2.4% in 2024. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, pent-up demand and supply chain disruptions incited inflationary pressures, ratcheting up living costs. This resulted in many people’s real household disposable income’s plummeting, forcing them to cut discretionary spending on goods like sporting equipment. Despite central banks across Europe raising interest rates to curb rising prices, inflation persisted in the two years through 2023, hurting demand. However, rising sport participation and health consciousness have supported revenue in recent years, with Denmark achieving the top spot as the sportiest country in the EU, according to the Sporting Good Intelligence Group. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2029 to €11.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is anticipated to reach 9%. Sporting goods manufacturing will welcome declining costs as inflationary pressures subside in the short term, as tightening monetary policy takes hold. Sport participation will also continue to rise, supported by robust funding towards promoting exercise as governments seek to slow down rising obesity across Europe. Major events like the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will drive sport participation in the years following, supporting revenue growth.

The Sporting Equipment Retailing industry’s revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 2.7% over the five years through 2024 to €76.7 billion, including an estimated dip of 4.3% in 2024. Despite the closure of most retail stores in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic driving down sales, a recent surge in health and body consciousness across Europe has driven up demand for sporting equipment. Countries such as the Czech Republic have seen a spike in sports participation, creating a greater need for sporting equipment and offering retailers an opportunity to capitalise on a widening market. At the same time, major sports events (like the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships) and regional football leagues like France's Ligue 1 and the UK’s Premier League continue to spark consumer interest in sports merchandise, despite rising inflation. However, physical retailers are having to fight hard to stay relevant in the digital era, with competition from online retailers climbing. Notably, companies selling bicycles have struggled, especially in Germany, where companies like Canyon have opted to sell their products directly to customers online, cutting retailers out. Still, growing fitness consciousness and a preference for online shopping have created new opportunities for sporting equipment retailers that have been able to adapt. Revenue is slated to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2029 to €87.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is also expected to swell. Online retailers will continue to challenge traditional bricks-and-mortar stores by providing a platform for easy price comparison and access to a broad range of products. Leading brands like Adidas, JD Sports and Decathlon are responding by transforming their digital commerce strategies, expanding their click-and-collect and delivery services. Retailers will also need to adapt to growing sustainability awareness, with rising green concerns driving retailers to launch sustainable private labels to keep sales coming in. For example, Finish retailer Intersport started selling sustainability-focused products under its Green Series label in 2022, driving up profitability due to their higher price point.

The Sporting Equipment Retailing industry’s revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 2.7% over the five years through 2024 to €76.7 billion, including an estimated dip of 4.3% in 2024. Despite the closure of most retail stores in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic driving down sales, a recent surge in health and body consciousness across Europe has driven up demand for sporting equipment. Countries such as the Czech Republic have seen a spike in sports participation, creating a greater need for sporting equipment and offering retailers an opportunity to capitalise on a widening market. At the same time, major sports events (like the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships) and regional football leagues like France's Ligue 1 and the UK’s Premier League continue to spark consumer interest in sports merchandise, despite rising inflation. However, physical retailers are having to fight hard to stay relevant in the digital era, with competition from online retailers climbing. Notably, companies selling bicycles have struggled, especially in Germany, where companies like Canyon have opted to sell their products directly to customers online, cutting retailers out. Still, growing fitness consciousness and a preference for online shopping have created new opportunities for sporting equipment retailers that have been able to adapt. Revenue is slated to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2029 to €87.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is also expected to swell. Online retailers will continue to challenge traditional bricks-and-mortar stores by providing a platform for easy price comparison and access to a broad range of products. Leading brands like Adidas, JD Sports and Decathlon are responding by transforming their digital commerce strategies, expanding their click-and-collect and delivery services. Retailers will also need to adapt to growing sustainability awareness, with rising green concerns driving retailers to launch sustainable private labels to keep sales coming in. For example, Finish retailer Intersport started selling sustainability-focused products under its Green Series label in 2022, driving up profitability due to their higher price point.

The Sporting Equipment Retailing industry’s revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 2.7% over the five years through 2024 to €76.7 billion, including an estimated dip of 4.3% in 2024. Despite the closure of most retail stores in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic driving down sales, a recent surge in health and body consciousness across Europe has driven up demand for sporting equipment. Countries such as the Czech Republic have seen a spike in sports participation, creating a greater need for sporting equipment and offering retailers an opportunity to capitalise on a widening market. At the same time, major sports events (like the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships) and regional football leagues like France's Ligue 1 and the UK’s Premier League continue to spark consumer interest in sports merchandise, despite rising inflation. However, physical retailers are having to fight hard to stay relevant in the digital era, with competition from online retailers climbing. Notably, companies selling bicycles have struggled, especially in Germany, where companies like Canyon have opted to sell their products directly to customers online, cutting retailers out. Still, growing fitness consciousness and a preference for online shopping have created new opportunities for sporting equipment retailers that have been able to adapt. Revenue is slated to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2029 to €87.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is also expected to swell. Online retailers will continue to challenge traditional bricks-and-mortar stores by providing a platform for easy price comparison and access to a broad range of products. Leading brands like Adidas, JD Sports and Decathlon are responding by transforming their digital commerce strategies, expanding their click-and-collect and delivery services. Retailers will also need to adapt to growing sustainability awareness, with rising green concerns driving retailers to launch sustainable private labels to keep sales coming in. For example, Finish retailer Intersport started selling sustainability-focused products under its Green Series label in 2022, driving up profitability due to their higher price point.

Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.9% to £12.9 billion. Sports events that boost levels of sports participation significantly impact industry revenue as demand for sporting equipment and clothing drastically grows. The pandemic heavily affected industry revenue; however, larger retailers used their solid brand name by shifting revenue channels online and retaining income. Smaller retailers with little capital couldn’t quickly create an extensive online presence and struggled to stay afloat. After revenue rebounded in 2021-22, it dipped over 2022-23 as consumers pulled back their spending habits amid challenging cost of living pressures. In 2023-24, revenue fell following a year with high inflation, causing consumers to lower discretionary spending on sports equipment. During the year, the industry's operating profit margin remained pressured by an increased minimum wage and a weak pound, inflating import costs. As the market share concentration for the big four retailers has grown, key industry suppliers (i.e., Nike) have shifted their focus to awarding larger retailers exclusive distribution rights. However, these key suppliers also externally compete with traditional sports retailers through e-commerce channels. According to Salience Search Marketing's latest report on the e-commerce sector, Nike was the UK's most prominent e-commerce brand in 2023. Over 2024-25, revenue is expected to expand by 7.6% as cost-of-living pressures alleviate and sports participation increases. Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 4.5% to reach £16.1 billion. Using new artificial intelligence technologies and checkout store automation is estimated to elevate footfall beyond pre-pandemic levels in the short term by strengthening the personalised in-store consumer feel. Complimenting these new technologies with a modern online experience is likely to expand industry revenue as retailers look to create a 'one-stop-shop' for consumers. Meanwhile, government schemes to tackle childhood obesity and investments of £300 million to enhance cycling tracks and footpaths are all estimated to accelerate sports participation rates, growing the industry's consumer base.

The Sporting Equipment Retailing industry’s revenue is forecast to fall at a compound annual rate of 2.7% over the five years through 2024 to €76.7 billion, including an estimated dip of 4.3% in 2024. Despite the closure of most retail stores in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic driving down sales, a recent surge in health and body consciousness across Europe has driven up demand for sporting equipment. Countries such as the Czech Republic have seen a spike in sports participation, creating a greater need for sporting equipment and offering retailers an opportunity to capitalise on a widening market. At the same time, major sports events (like the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships) and regional football leagues like France's Ligue 1 and the UK’s Premier League continue to spark consumer interest in sports merchandise, despite rising inflation. However, physical retailers are having to fight hard to stay relevant in the digital era, with competition from online retailers climbing. Notably, companies selling bicycles have struggled, especially in Germany, where companies like Canyon have opted to sell their products directly to customers online, cutting retailers out. Still, growing fitness consciousness and a preference for online shopping have created new opportunities for sporting equipment retailers that have been able to adapt. Revenue is slated to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.6% over the five years through 2029 to €87.2 billion, while the average industry profit margin is also expected to swell. Online retailers will continue to challenge traditional bricks-and-mortar stores by providing a platform for easy price comparison and access to a broad range of products. Leading brands like Adidas, JD Sports and Decathlon are responding by transforming their digital commerce strategies, expanding their click-and-collect and delivery services. Retailers will also need to adapt to growing sustainability awareness, with rising green concerns driving retailers to launch sustainable private labels to keep sales coming in. For example, Finish retailer Intersport started selling sustainability-focused products under its Green Series label in 2022, driving up profitability due to their higher price point.