D. Tighe
Research expert covering consumer behavior, sporting goods retail, and the global toy industry.
Sporting goods in Canada - statistics & facts
For Canadians, sports such as hockey and lacrosse are considered an intrinsic part of their culture. While some prefer to watch them, many individuals have grown up playing one or more sports, whether it was a team-based or individual activity. As such, the Canadian sporting goods industry is a rather large one, especially the sports and swimwear subindustry which generates billions each year.
Sporting goods can include any item used for sporting activities or exercise, from training equipment and sports apparel to athletic shoes and protective gear.
As lululemon’s global sales are also projected to increase considerably in 2024, the future looks bright for the Canadian sporting goods industry as a whole.
Retail and store figures
In 2023, retail sales of sporting goods stores (alongside hobby, book, and music stores) dropped slightly compared to 2022, but was still considerably higher than in previously recorded years. In fact, annual Canadian store sales within the industry have grown by nearly 15 billion Canadian dollars since 2017. In 2023, as well as previous years, the majority of sporting and athletic goods manufacturing establishments were located in Ontario and Quebec, the most populated provinces in the country. Collectively, the two provinces accounted for over 170 such establishments in that year. Overall, most sporting goods stores in Canada, e.g., golf equipment outlets and cycling supply stores, were typically located in either Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia.Sportswear brands in Canada
With the increasing popularity of athleisure wear in Canada and other countries around the world, items such as exercise tights and sweatpants have been making a name for themselves as everyday clothing items. Canada just so happens to be home to one of the largest brands within the global sports apparel and athleisure market, namely lululemon. The company known as lululemon athletica inc. was founded in Vancouver, Canada, back in 1998, and started out selling up-market leggings and yoga clothing. Over the years, lululemon expanded its wardrobe and became an internationally recognized brand. Although the company’s Canadian revenue had continuously dropped for several years up until 2015, lululemon managed to turn itself around, generating over a billion U.S. dollars in domestic revenue per year during its most recent financial years.As lululemon’s global sales are also projected to increase considerably in 2024, the future looks bright for the Canadian sporting goods industry as a whole.
