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Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Matthew Buchko Matthew Buchko New York, United States Last Updated: October 2023 NAICS 41447CA

Revenue

$4.6bn

2023

$4.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

5,007

Businesses

832

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada industry analysis

Sporting goods wholesalers offer a range of sporting and recreational goods and accessories, including billiards equipment; pool supplies; sporting firearms and ammunition; and marine craft and equipment. The industry competes for leisure time among consumers to allocate toward sports and other recreational activities. This trend, which has constrained demand for sporting goods, has been further exacerbated by significant downstream market changes. For example, the emergence of more chain sporting goods retailers has enabled this downstream market to negotiate low-cost sporting goods prices from wholesalers, dampening revenue growth. As many sporting goods retailers have used inventory tools that measure customer demographics and inventory turnover, they have purchased small volumes of high-turnover sporting goods from wholesalers rather than bulk purchases. Still, an increasingly health-conscious population has fuelled revenue growth as demand for sporting goods equipment has increased. Revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 0.5% to $4.6 billion through the end of 2023, including a 2.6% increase in 2023 alone when profit reaches 9.7% of revenue.The COVID-19 pandemic further constrained revenue growth by causing supply chain disruptions to wholesalers' typical range of operations. Due to cost savings related to consolidation, profit has grown in recent years despite operational complications caused by the pandemic. Also, global economic growth has enabled sporting goods wholesalers to implement price markups and improve revenue.Moving forward, revenue is expected to continue increasing alongside a growing economy. A more health-conscious consumer base and higher fitness participation will spur demand for a variety of athletic and fitness equipment. Higher consumer spending levels will result in more consumers choosing to purchase sporting goods equipment to be used for exercise. However, demand for wholesaling from large, national retailers will sink as these retailers continue to buy directly from manufacturers. Revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 2.1% to $5.1 billion through the end of 2028, when profit will account for 10.2% of revenue.

Trends and Insights

  • Wholesalers are increasingly being bypassed as sporting goods manufacturers and retailers work directly with one another. This has created challenges for wholesalers to negotiate favorable prices, limiting revenue growth.
  • Demand from retailers has decreased. Using technology more often has made it easier for manufacturers to sell directly to retailers, cutting out wholesalers.
  • Wholesalers locate near population centres. Being near consumer bases keeps transportation costs relatively low.
  • Catering to local retailers gives sporting goods wholesalers an advantage since large, national retailers can source generic products directly from manufacturers.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.6bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Health trends promote revenue growth

  • An increased focus on health by consumers has caused a climb in demand for various sporting goods. More gym memberships have led gyms to buy more athletic equipment and replace their existing equipment more frequently.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

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

Trends and Insights

Sports participation rates continue to climb

  • Participation in sports will grow moving forward, increasing the need for sporting goods. As Canadian consumers become increasingly health-conscious, sports grow in popularity and consumers will increase their demand for sporting goods products.

Biggest companies in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
Canadawide Sports
4.3
N/A
N/A
3W Giant Mart Inc.
1.3
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Hunting, fishing and camping equipment, Hockey, baseball and other equipment and Exercise and fitness equipment. Hunting, fishing and camping equipment is the largest segment of the Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada.

Trends and Insights

More time outdoors fuels growth for hunting, fishing and camping equipment

  • Hunting, fishing and camping equipment account for the largest share of the products sold by sporting goods wholesalers.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada wholesales a range of sporting and recreational goods and accessories, such as billiards equipment; pool supplies; sporting firearms and ammunition; and marine craft and equipment. This industry does not include wholesalers of athletic apparel and footwear, automobiles, other motor vehicles or transportation equipment.

What's included in this industry?

Baseball, bowling, football, golf, hockey and tennis equipment wholesalingBicycle (except motorized) and go-cart wholesalingCamping and fishing equipment wholesalingFitness equipment wholesalingGuns, firearm, ammunition and hunting equipment wholesalingBoat, boating and marine equipment wholesalingSkiing equipment wholesalingSwimming pool, hot tub and supply wholesalingPlayground equipment and supply wholesaling

Companies

Canadawide Sports3W Giant Mart Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI)SPORTS PARTICIPATION RATEWHOLESALE BYPASS

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 414470 - Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada

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

Wholesalers are increasingly being bypassed as sporting goods manufacturers and retailers work directly with one another. This has created challenges for wholesalers to negot...

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 (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • 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

Demand from retailers has decreased. Using technology more often has made it easier for manufacturers to sell directly to retailers, cutting out wholesalers.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

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

Wholesalers locate near population centres. Being near consumer bases keeps transportation costs relatively low.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2023

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

Catering to local retailers gives sporting goods wholesalers an advantage since large, national retailers can source generic products directly from manufacturers.

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 2018-2023
  • 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

Technology maximizes efficiency. Wholesalers incorporate labour-saving technologies like radio frequency identification to increase speed and reduce errors.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of Canadawide Sports's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of 3W Giant Mart Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Canadawide Sports, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for 3W Giant Mart Inc., 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

Industry associations assist wholesalers. The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers supports wholesalers across Canada

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 (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

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

Expenses for sporting goods wholesalers vary depending on their size, location and product assortment.

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 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2016-2021)
  • Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Assets (2016-2021)
  • Liabilities (2016-2021)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

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 (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Top Questions Answered

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

What is the market size of the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada is $4.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada industry in 2023?

There are 832 businesses in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling market in Canada are Canadawide Sports and 3W Giant Mart Inc.

What does the Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada include?

Baseball, bowling, football, golf, hockey and tennis equipment wholesaling and Bicycle (except motorized) and go-cart wholesaling are part of the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Canadawide Sports.

How competitive is the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Sporting Goods Wholesaling industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Canada

Complementors

  • Athletic & Sporting Goods Manufacturing in Canada
  • Footwear Wholesaling in Canada
  • Sporting Goods Stores in Canada

International industries

  • Sporting Goods Wholesaling in the US
  • Toy and Sporting Goods Wholesaling in Australia
  • Toy and Sporting Goods Wholesaling in New Zealand
  • Sporting Goods Wholesaling in China

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

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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 Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

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.

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