Dick's Sporting Goods
Encyclopedia
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail
industries.
The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport
in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of July 25, 2011, primarily in the eastern half of the United States
. The company also owns Golf Galaxy, Inc., a multi-channel golf specialty retailer, with 81 stores in 30 states.
Founded in 1948 by Richard "Dick" Stack at the age of 18, the chain has expanded to become one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world.
When Dick recounted his story later that day, his grandmother advised, “Dick, always follow your dreams,” and gave him $300 from her savings. He rented a storefront and opened the first Dick's as a small "bait & tackle" fishing supply store, on Court Street near Howard Avenue.
In the mid-1950s, the store expanded into the market of general sports merchandise and by the early 1960s, he was able to build and open a new store on the corner of Oliver and Court St., naming it "Dick's Sporting Goods". The store prospered, and Dick eventually opened a second store in Vestal, NY. In the 1970s, the Binghamton store moved next door to an even larger facility. Dick Stack headed the organization until his retirement in 1984.
Dick Stack's son, Eric "Eddie" Stack, succeeded him in the leadership of the company, expanding the two-store business rapidly. Edward W. Stack has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dick's Sporting Goods since 1984, having started with the company full-time in 1977, and gradually working his way up in a variety of positions including: Store Clerk, Merchandise Manager, Store Manager and President.
In the early 1990s, Dick's began chain operations, opening additional stores across Upstate New York
. In 1994, Dick's moved its headquarters from Binghamton, New York
to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
under license and e-commerce agreements. Because the e-commerce website is operated under a company separate from Dick's Sporting Goods, the website often carries a wider selection than what is available in the stores with prices occasionally varying. As of March 2009, customers may return items purchased from the website. However, customers will only be able to get a Merchandise Credit for what they paid.
Excluding revenues from Chick's, Dick's generated 2007 revenues of $3.965B in fiscal 2003. With the inclusion of Chick's, Dick's now operates over 450 stores - surpassing competitors The Sports Authority in both stores and revenue.
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
industries.
The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of July 25, 2011, primarily in the eastern half of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The company also owns Golf Galaxy, Inc., a multi-channel golf specialty retailer, with 81 stores in 30 states.
Founded in 1948 by Richard "Dick" Stack at the age of 18, the chain has expanded to become one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world.
History
In 1948, at the age of 18, Richard Stack worked at an Army/Navy store in his hometown of Binghamton, New York, after World War II. At the owner’s request, "Dick" explored the idea of expanding the product line to include fishing and camping supplies, but the owner rejected Dick's suggestions, stating that Dick “would never make a good merchant.”When Dick recounted his story later that day, his grandmother advised, “Dick, always follow your dreams,” and gave him $300 from her savings. He rented a storefront and opened the first Dick's as a small "bait & tackle" fishing supply store, on Court Street near Howard Avenue.
In the mid-1950s, the store expanded into the market of general sports merchandise and by the early 1960s, he was able to build and open a new store on the corner of Oliver and Court St., naming it "Dick's Sporting Goods". The store prospered, and Dick eventually opened a second store in Vestal, NY. In the 1970s, the Binghamton store moved next door to an even larger facility. Dick Stack headed the organization until his retirement in 1984.
Dick Stack's son, Eric "Eddie" Stack, succeeded him in the leadership of the company, expanding the two-store business rapidly. Edward W. Stack has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dick's Sporting Goods since 1984, having started with the company full-time in 1977, and gradually working his way up in a variety of positions including: Store Clerk, Merchandise Manager, Store Manager and President.
In the early 1990s, Dick's began chain operations, opening additional stores across Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
. In 1994, Dick's moved its headquarters from Binghamton, New York
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
.
Corporate
The company's e-tailing website dickssportinggoods.com is operated by GSI CommerceGSI Commerce
GSI Commerce is an eBay company specializing in creating, developing and running online shopping sites for brick and mortar brands and retailers....
under license and e-commerce agreements. Because the e-commerce website is operated under a company separate from Dick's Sporting Goods, the website often carries a wider selection than what is available in the stores with prices occasionally varying. As of March 2009, customers may return items purchased from the website. However, customers will only be able to get a Merchandise Credit for what they paid.
Excluding revenues from Chick's, Dick's generated 2007 revenues of $3.965B in fiscal 2003. With the inclusion of Chick's, Dick's now operates over 450 stores - surpassing competitors The Sports Authority in both stores and revenue.
Sponsorship
The company sponsors a number of sporting events, including:- Football – Dick's Sporting Goods ESPN Kickoff Week
- Soccer – Dick's Sporting Goods Park
- Golf – Dick's Sporting Goods Open
- Running – Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Lawsuits and legal proceedings
- In August 2006, Dick's was accused of infringing two patents owned by Cushion Technologies, LLC, in a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas. In April 2007, Dick's settled with the plaintiff and the lawsuit was dismissed.
- In June 2009, Dick's was accused of infringing a patent owned by The donkey Company, Inc., in a lawsuit filed in District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- In July 1971, Dick's was accused of infringing a patent owned by Furnace Brook, LLC, in a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois.
Acquisitions and expansion
- 1997 – Dick's Sporting Goods, to open stores in FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and company. - 2004 – Forty-eight locations from Galyan's Trading Company, another sporting goods store.
- 2007 – Golf Galaxy, 65 golf superstores
- 2007 – Chick's Sporting Goods, a California-based company.
- 2010 – Plans to open first store in WashingtonWashington StateWashington State may refer to:* Washington , often referred to as "Washington state" to differentiate it from Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States* Washington State University, a land-grant college in that state- See also :...
state (Puyallup, WAPuyallup, WashingtonPuyallup, Washington is a city in Pierce County, Washington about five miles east of Tacoma. The population was 37,022 at the 2010 Census. Named after the Puyallup Tribe of Native Americans, Puyallup means "the generous people."-History:...
) "with six more locations [in OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
] 'coming soon.'" - 2011 – The first Dick's store in OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
opened in October in Broken ArrowBroken Arrow, OklahomaBroken Arrow is a city located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, primarily in Tulsa County but also with a small section of the city in western Wagoner County. It is the largest suburb of Tulsa. According to the 2010 US Census, Broken Arrow has a population of 98,850 residents...
. - 2012 – Dick's plans to open its first New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
store in Albuquerque during the summer of 2012.
Competition
Dick's Sporting Goods major competitor stores include:- Hibbett Sports
- Sport ChaletSport ChaletSport Chalet operates 52 owned stores in Southern & Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, and most recently in Utah . Most stores are over in size, with many including dive pools and offering SCUBA classes...
- Scheels All SportsScheels All SportsScheels All Sports is a privately held, employee owned and operated sporting goods and entertainment chain store headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. Scheels operates 24 store locations in nine U.S. states. Their slogan is Gear. Passion. Sports....
- Sports AuthoritySports AuthorityThe Sports Authority, Inc. is one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States. It is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, and operates more than 460 stores in 45 U.S...
- MC SportsMc SportsMC Sports is an American retail sporting goods chain. The company strongly believes in something they call "T.O.C.S" Truly Outstanding Customer Service, this is very apparent the moment you step into the store. MC Sports was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1946...
- Gander MountainGander MountainGander Mountain, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine, and other outdoor recreation products and services...
- Big 5 Sporting GoodsBig 5 Sporting GoodsBig 5 Sporting Goods is a sporting goods retailer headquartered in El Segundo, California with 388 stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Steven G. Miller is the Chairman, President, and CEO.The Big 5 name is...
- Dunham's SportsDunham's SportsDunham's Sports is a regional sporting goods superstore chain owned by Dunham's Athleisure Corporation, with stores located in the Midwestern United States. The chain specializes in athletic equipment, clothing, and other sports-related items...
- Academy Sports and OutdoorsAcademy Sports and OutdoorsAcademy Sports + Outdoors is a sports goods discount store chain. For 74 years it was a privately held company owned by the Gochman family, until its May 2011 sale of majority ownership to the investment firm Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts LP. Academy is one of the largest sporting goods stores in the...
- Summit Sports
- Modell's Sporting Goods
- City SportsCity SportsCity Sports is an American sporting goods retailer operating mostly on the east coast of the United States. Its chief products include athletic apparel, footwear, and equipment...