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Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Timilehin Atere Timilehin Atere London, United Kingdom Last Updated: September 2024 SIC SP0.054

Revenue

£4.3bn

2024-25

£4.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

22,763

Businesses

1,394

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry analysis

Athletic shoe store revenue is expected to creep upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.4% over the five years through 2024-25. Revenue has been boosted by strong demand for athletic shoes, ranging from running to sports-specific shoes and trainers. Increased participation in running clubs has been an especially key driver of demand, with running enthusiasts seeking out the best shoes for their needs from athletic stores. The athleisure trend has also been important – more people wearing trainers as part of a well-put-together outfit means more sales for specialist shoe retailers, especially as it becomes more acceptable to dress casually in the workplace. Even with these favourable conditions, stores are still fighting hard to win customers. Athletic shoe retailers' marketing goes far beyond product features and taps into emotional experiences, creating a sense of community and brand loyalty that keeps shoppers returning. Stores are partnering with influencers in their marketing campaigns to help stay in touch with the current trend.

Trends and Insights

  • Run clubs boost the athletic shoe market. With gyms closed during the COVID-19lockdowns, people turned to running, increasing shoe sales. At the same time, run clubs have become popular social hubs.
  • Fitness trends boost trainer sales. As individuals prioritise health and wellness, demand for running and training shoes has surged, with athleisure trends and new product releases further driving sales.
  • London's wealth and diversity drives athletic footwear sales. With the highest disposable income in the country and a diverse, youthful population, London offers a lucrative market for athletic shoe retailers.
  • Competition drives innovation. Retailers must constantly evolve their product offerings, focusing on comfort, functionality and style to attract customers and stay ahead of rivals.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £4.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Participation in running clubs picks up speed, fuelling growth in shoe sales

  • Running clubs started to gain popularity post-pandemic, after more people took up running as a form of exercise during the lockdowns, and they’ve stayed popular through 2024-25, driving growth in the athletic shoe market.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Innovation in running shoes will make shelf spaces more competitive

  • Running shoes continuously undergo innovation as manufacturers keep finding ways to improve their functionality and tailor them to each individual’s running style.

Biggest companies in the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
JD Sports Fashion plc
1,336.5
Frasers Group plc
563.9
Nike Inc
563.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Running and training shoes, Athleisure shoes and Field sport shoes . Running and training shoes is the largest segment of the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK.

Trends and Insights

The desire to stay fit propels sales of running and training shoes

  • Running shoes are all-purpose exercise shoes, while training shoes can support a wide range of movements, making them an excellent choice for the gym.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes retailers selling athletic shoes, such as running shoes, basketball shoes, tennis shoes and trainers. These stores may also sell complementary athletic apparel.

What's included in this industry?

Running and training shoesField sport shoesAthleisure shoesOutdoor shoesSpecialist athletic shoes

Companies

JD Sports Fashion plcFrasers Group plcNike Inc

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ATHLEISUREDEEP-SEA GILLNETSGAIT ANALYSIS

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 47.72/1 - Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK

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

Run clubs boost the athletic shoe market. With gyms closed during the COVID-19lockdowns, people turned to running, increasing shoe sales. At the same time, run clubs have bec...

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

Fitness trends boost trainer sales. As individuals prioritise health and wellness, demand for running and training shoes has surged, with athleisure trends and new product re...

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

London's wealth and diversity drives athletic footwear sales. With the highest disposable income in the country and a diverse, youthful population, London offers a lucrative ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, 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

Competition drives innovation. Retailers must constantly evolve their product offerings, focusing on comfort, functionality and style to attract customers and stay ahead of r...

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

JD Sports expands through strategic acquisitions. By acquiring companies like Blacks, Marketing Investment Group and Hibbett, JD is strengthening its market presence in Europ...

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 JD Sports Fashion plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Frasers Group plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nike Inc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for JD Sports Fashion plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Frasers Group plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nike Inc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Shoe retailers must follow the EU Textile Labelling Regulation. This requires accurate labelling of products, ensuring consumers are well-informed about the product's composi...

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

Athletic shoe stores face intense price competition. The expansion of clothing retailers into footwear is forcing stores to offer deals and cheaper brands, impacting their pr...

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

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • 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)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £4.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 1,394 businesses in the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Athletic Shoe Stores market in United Kingdom are JD Sports Fashion plc, Frasers Group plc and Nike Inc

What does the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Running and training shoes and Field sport shoes are part of the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is JD Sports Fashion plc.

How competitive is the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Athletic Shoe Stores in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

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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 UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

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.

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