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Though well established in the Midwest and Northeast - the company has grown from 61 stores to 341 in the past decade - Dick's has relatively few stores in Southern and Western states. Over the next seven years Dick's plans to more than double its store count, to 800. Dick's emphasizes a store-within-a-store sales approach. Each department has its own look and staff. Then there is its innovative merchandising. Dick's has been phasing out its no-name, private-label apparel and equipment in favor of deals in which Reebok and Nike put their logos on products sold exclusively at Dick's.
Through the first nine months of 2007, Dick's earnings per share rose 73% on sales growth of 28%. Another key barometer: Same-store sales rose at a terrific 8.6% clip in the third quarter. What happens if the economy tanks? Industry experts say that sporting goods have proven resilient in the past.
Last updated January 02 2008: 5:32 PM ET
