Sporting Goods Franchise Opportunities

While the demand for sporting goods across the country is relatively steady and reliable, regional considerations should be noted when getting started with this new business. First, you’ll want to be sure that the franchise you plan to open is a good fit for your local market or that it has the flexibility you need to adjust it to serve your customer base. Here are some key points to keep in mind while getting ready to start a new sporting goods store.

Look for Existing Demand

You don’t want to rely on creating new demand for your store to get off the ground. Instead, you should be looking to see what kinds of sporting goods equipment businesses are in your area already. Near the mountains, it’s likely to be ski and snowboard gear. Near the beach, surfboards will be popular, along with jet skis, volleyball sets, etc. There will already be some local stores serving these niche markets but look for an opportunity in an area that isn’t currently served or is not served well.

Conquer the Seasonal Problem

One of the challenges of local outdoor activities is that they tend to be seasonal. Golf and skiing are great examples. Golf is a popular sport in the spring and summer in northern climates, but it largely disappears in the winter. Alternatively, skiing is the king of winter sports, but the slopes are closed by mid-spring through the fall in most places. This can be a challenge for a sporting goods store that serves these markets. So think about how you can get around this issue successfully. That will often mean specializing in at least one summer sport and one winter sport, so you always have something to sell in season.