Hibbett Sports

Hibbett Sports is a specialty athletic retailer that operates under the Hibbett and City Gear names. The company began in 1945 with a single store in Birmingham, Alabama. Over the decades, it has steadily expanded, reaching a significant milestone in the 1990s and 2000s through strategic acquisitions and the introduction of an e-commerce platform. As of November 2025, Hibbett manages approximately 1,100 stores across 35 states.

In recent years, Hibbett has focused its growth on secondary and tertiary markets, particularly in the Southeast, Midwest, and Texas. The company targets areas where specialty athletic retail options are limited, often serving communities that larger national chains overlook. This approach has helped Hibbett build strong local relationships and maintain a loyal customer base.

Hibbett’s stores offer a curated mix of athletic-inspired footwear, apparel, and team sports equipment, featuring well-known brands such as Nike, Jordan, adidas, and The North Face. The retailer is recognized for exclusive product releases that generate steady foot traffic and online engagement. Over the past five years, Hibbett has invested in remodeling existing locations and enhancing its omni-channel capabilities, allowing customers to shop seamlessly online and in-store.

The company’s real estate strategy is flexible, enabling it to adapt store formats to local market needs. Hibbett continues to open new stores while refreshing its existing portfolio, prioritizing markets with strong youth populations and limited competition. The brand’s established vendor partnerships, consistent expansion, and ability to drive traffic make it a reliable anchor for a variety of retail environments. Hibbett remains independently owned and does not franchise its operations.