Since 2017, the sporting goods industry has outperformed the overall economy. In fact, global fitness industry revenue is expected to reach $216.2 billion in 2023 – more than double what it was in 2020!

With the sporting goods and athleisure industry on a winning streak, how can your brand break through the competition and win long-term customers? The first step to successfully crafting a revenue-generating strategy is to understand the playing field.

In this infographic, dive into all the latest stats and trends from the athleisure and sporting goods industry, including in-store vs. online insights, the verticals within the fitness industry that are thriving the most, and more.

The State of the Sporting Goods
& Athleisure Industry

Year-over-year sporting goods industry growth

Over the past 5 years, the sporting goods industry has outperformed the overall economy.

By 2028, the global fitness industry is expected to be worth $435 billion.

Global fitness industry revenue is expected to reach $216.2 billion in revenue in 2023.

Sporting goods strores in the US delivered $67 billion in revenue in 2022.

Sporting Equipment Spikes

In 2023, global sports equipment revenue will reach $158.9 billion (a $15.5 billion jump over 2021!). By 2026, global sports equipment revenue will supass $191 billion. Between 2021 and 2028, the fitness equipment industry is expected to grow by 152.7%.

JUMP IN SPORTS APPAREL & ATHLEISURE

Top Global Athletic Brands

  1. Nike
  2. Adidas
  3. PUMA
  4. Luluemon
  5. Under Armour

Nike’s D2C sales made up 42.1% of the brand’s total revenue in 2022. (up from just 31.6% in 2019)

Around 45% of sports apparel purchases are made online.

Global Sports Apparel Revenue (in Billions)

2021 – $178.7
2022 – $191.0
2023 – $204.1
2024 – $218.1
2025 – $233.0
2026 – $249.0

Global sports apparel revenue will surpass $218 billion in 2024. Global activewear revenue will surpass $400 billion for the in 2024 the first time.

LEAPS IN WOMEN’S ACTIVEWEAR

In 2024, the US women’s activewear market will surpass $200 billion for the first time. Between 2021 and 2029, US revenue from women’s activewear will grow by over $91 million.

ATHLETIC SHOES MARKET CLIMBING

The athletic footwear market was kicked down by the COVID-19 pandemic but growth is resurfacing in a big way. Global athletic footwear revenues surged by $12.5 billion between 2021 and 2022!

Global Athletic Footwear Revenue (in Billions)

2020 – $45.7
2021 – $48.2
2022 – $60.9
2023 – $68.1
2024 – $72.4
2025 – $76.9

DRIVING PROFITABLE GROWTH

PUMA Sees Conversion Values Soar 35%

As one of the world’s largest sports apparel brands, PUMA advertises its products across a wide range of channels. With so many avenues to reach customers, tracking and attributing Facebook and Instagram sales became a puzzle that PUMA partnered with ROI Revolution to solve.

Explore how our experts helped PUMA clarify the confusion at ROIRevolution.com/PUMACaseStudy.

ROI Revolution’s digital marketing experts have been leading brands to discover untapped revenue potential for 20+ years. Send a message to our team at RO!Revolution.com/ContactUs to discover omnichannel opportunities to supercharge your brand’s profitable growth.

Infographic with statistics on the fitness, athleisure, and sporting goods industry

Year-Over-Year Sporting Goods Industry Growth

  • Over the past 5 years, the sporting goods industry has outperformed the overall economy
  • Global fitness industry revenue is expected to reach $216.2 billion in 2023 (more than double what it was in 2020!)
  • By 2028, the global fitness industry is expected to be worth $435 billion
  • Sporting goods stores in the US delivered $67 billion in revenue in 2022

Sporting Equipment Spikes

  • In 2023, global sports equipment revenue will reach $158.9 billion (a $15.5 billion jump over 2021!)
  • By 2026, global sports equipment revenue will surpass $191 billion
  • Between 2021 and 2028, the fitness equipment industry is expected to grow by 182.7%

Jump in Sports Apparel & Athleisure

Top global athletic brands:

  1. Nike
  2. Adidas
  3. PUMA
  4. Lululemon
  5. Under Armour
  • Nike’s D2C sales made up 42.1% of the brand’s total revenue in 2022 (up from just 31.6% in 2019)
  • Around 45% of sports apparel purchases are made online
  • Global sports apparel revenue will surpass $218 billion in 2024
  • Global activewear revenue will surpass $400 billion for the first time in 2024

Global sports apparel revenue (in billions):

  • 2021: $178.7
  • 2022: $191.0
  • 2023: $204.1
  • 2024: $218.1
  • 2025: $233.0
  • 2026: $249.0

Leaps in Women’s Activewear

  • In 2024, the US women’s activewear market will surpass $200 billion for the first time
  • Between 2021 and 2029, US revenue from women’s activewear will grow by over $91 million

Athletic Shoes Marketing Climbing

  • The athletic footwear market was kicked down by the COVID-19 pandemic, but growth is resurfacing in a big way.
  • Global athletic footwear revenue surged by $12.5 billion between 2021 and 2022!

Global athletic footwear revenue (in billions):

  • 2020: $45.7
  • 2021: $48.2
  • 2022: $60.9
  • 2023: $68.1
  • 2024: $72.4
  • 2025: $76.9

Tying It All Together: Athleisure & Sporting Goods Industry Stats

With so much growth, sporting goods and athleisure are becoming increasingly competitive. Don’t be surprised if you see costs rise or if you have to spend more to be able to get the same results.

If you’re in the sporting goods industry, your competition is preparing their marketing playbook with profitable strategies for 2023. Are you? Whether you’re looking to increase brand awareness, drive new customer acquisition, or otherwise navigate the “post”-pandemic landscape, our ecommerce experts are ready to act as an extension of your team to exceed your goals. To explore the untapped growth opportunities that we can discover for your brand, send a message to our team today.

Looking to score more industry data and trends? Get the latest stats from other industries below:

Sources