As one of the largest and most recognizable athletic brands on the planet, it is of little surprise that Nike is the leader within its industry of athletic apparel, accessories and footwear, with sales reaching over 51.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. This was more than double that of second-placed Adidas.

Top athletic brands

The sports apparel industry is a lucrative one, which is forecast to grow further in the coming years. Not only is Nike one of the most prominent producers within this market worldwide, but the company also holds the honor of being ranked as one of the world's leading apparel brands. Adidas, Puma, and Under Armour are some of Nike’s main competitors, as they operate within the same markets. However, Nike’s brand value has historically been significantly higher than that of its closest competitor, adidas, and the gap has grown.

Sportswear stores

In 2023, there were over 1,000 Nike stores worldwide. In comparison, the number of adidas Group retail stores was roughly 2,000 in 2022. The most prominent Adidas store type was factory outlets of which there were over 1,000 worldwide.