COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 451110

Sporting Goods Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

26companies1923–1976founding years24still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedBlacks Leisure Group plcFoundedBlacks Leisure Group plc
1923
FoundedRallye SA
1924
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedL.L. Bean, Inc.FoundedL.L. Bean, Inc.
1934
FoundedRecreational Equipment, Inc.
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedHibbett Sporting Goods, Inc.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedGalyan's Trading Company, Inc.FoundedGalyan's Trading Company, Inc.FoundedMichigan Sporting Goods Distributors, Inc.
1946
FoundedBoyne USA ResortsFoundedBoyne USA Resorts
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedCabela's Inc.
1965
FoundedAEON Co., Ltd.FoundedScheels All Sports Inc.FoundedScheels All Sports Inc.
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedGroupe Go Sport S.A.FoundedThe Finish Line, Inc.
1976
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyAmazon is founded; e-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Blacks Leisure Group plc →
Active · founded 1923 · United Kingdom
Blacks Leisure Group plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading retail sportswear and sporting goods groups and is that…
Blacks Leisure Group plc →
Active · founded 1923 · United Kingdom
Blacks Leisure Group plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading retail sportswear and sporting goods groups and is that…
Rallye SA →
Active · founded 1924 · France
Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.
Rallye SA →
Active · founded 1924 · France
Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.
L.L. Bean, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
L.L.
L.L. Bean, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
L.L.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1945
1960s:The company is renamed Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc.
Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1945
1960s:The company is renamed Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc.
Galyan's Trading Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Galyan's Trading Company, Inc.
Galyan's Trading Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Galyan's Trading Company, Inc.
Michigan Sporting Goods Distributors, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Michigan Sporting Goods Distributors, Inc.
Michigan Sporting Goods Distributors, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Michigan Sporting Goods Distributors, Inc.
Boyne USA Resorts →
Active · founded 1947
Boyne USA Resorts is one of the leading operators of ski and golf resorts in North America.
Boyne USA Resorts →
Active · founded 1947
Boyne USA Resorts is one of the leading operators of ski and golf resorts in North America.
Cabela's Inc. →
Active · founded 1965
Cabela's Inc.
Cabela's Inc. →
Active · founded 1965
Cabela's Inc.
AEON Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
AEON Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
Scheels All Sports Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Hunters, cyclists, golfers, runners and nearly all other sports and outdoor enthusiasts can find the gear they need at…
Scheels All Sports Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Hunters, cyclists, golfers, runners and nearly all other sports and outdoor enthusiasts can find the gear they need at…
Groupe Go Sport S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1976 · France
Groupe Go Sport S.A.
Groupe Go Sport S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1976 · France
Groupe Go Sport S.A.
The Finish Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
The Finish Line, Inc., is an athletic specialty retailer, carrying men's, women's, and children's brand name footwear,…
The Finish Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
The Finish Line, Inc., is an athletic specialty retailer, carrying men's, women's, and children's brand name footwear,…
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