Nike is a global athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, United States. It is the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment.
Nike has employed more than 44,000 people worldwide. In 2014 the brand alone was valued at $19 billion, making it the most valuable brand among sports businesses. The company was founded on January 25, 1964, as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1971.
NIKE, Inc. was founded in 1964 in Beaverton, Oregon, by William Bowerman and Philip Knight. It is the world’s most valuable sportswear brand, surpassing fierce rival Adidas.
Nike designs and sells a diverse range of athletic footwear, casual sneakers, sports gear, accessories, and equipment.Additionally, it provides several sports-related services. Today, they dominate footwear sales and rank at or near the top of the worldwide sports apparel industry in most categories.
Nike generated $41.3 billion in revenue in the fiscal year 2020, had $4.3 billion in net income, and employs approximately 76,000 people.Nike’s equipment sales in the United States have been continuously declining since 2014, down 14% year over year in 2019. North America accounts for approximately 43% of its total revenue.
| Company | Nike, Inc. |
| Year founded | January 25, 1964 |
| Industries | Sportswear, footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services |
| Founder | Phil Knight, Bill Bowerman |
| Headquarters | Beaverton, Oregon, United States |
| Type | Public |
| Areas served | Nearly Worldwide |
| Website | Visit Website |
Additionally, they are the most well-known sports apparel brand globally, owing to their astute marketing methods and endorsement partnerships with professional athletes such as Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and (many) others.
Nike has expanded globally since its inception, and its brand value has climbed since 2010 to around $34.4 billion in 2020. It fell by 60% in Q4 2020, owing to the crisis and tough competition. Nike also faces competition from various areas, including footwear, sports apparel, athleisure, casual wear, and accessories.
Over the last few years, a spate of new manufacturers utilizing the direct-to-consumer model has joined up with long-standing athletic gear competitors, enhancing competitiveness by providing consumers with an increasing number of options.
We’ve compiled a list of 25 of the world’s biggest Nike competitors in this post, including new and established companies.
Top Nike Competitors & Alternatives Analysis
Here are some alternatives and competitors to Nike:
1. Adidas
Adidas is a German sportswear company that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing, and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the world, after Nike.
Adidas was founded in 1948 by Adi Dassler, who began making sports shoes in his mother’s laundry room in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The company sells products under three brands: Adidas, Reebok, and TaylorMade.
Adidas has been a major sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1972 and has supplied athletes with uniforms and equipment at every Summer and Winter Olympics. In addition to sponsoring athletes, Adidas also has partnerships with universities and sports teams worldwide.
Adidas, founded in 1949, is a global brand that is Nike’s top competitor. Nike and Adidas compete across multiple industries, including footwear, apparel, sports equipment, and accessories.
Adidas is a global brand that was founded in 1949. It is Nike’s top competitor. Nike and Adidas compete across multiple industries, including footwear, apparel, and equipment.
In the footwear industry, Nike has a higher market share than Adidas. In the apparel industry, Adidas has a higher market share than Nike. In the equipment industry, Nike has a higher market share than Adidas.
Nike and Adidas are successful companies that have grown their businesses by appealing to different consumer groups. Nike focuses on athletes and celebrities, while Adidas focuses on fashion-conscious consumers.
While both companies have found success with their respective strategies, it remains to be seen how they will fare against each other in the future as their paths continue to cross in more industries.
With an advertising budget of $688 million in the United States in 2019, it caught up to Nike by partnering with high-profile celebrities that included Kanye West, Pharell Williams, Run DMC, and Beyonce.
North America saw a 10% growth rate and a record income in 2019 thanks to these initiatives. However, Nike is losing ground to it in emerging markets such as China, where it has grown 11% faster than Nike over the past year.
Additionally, Adidas has Reebok, TaylorMade, and Runtastic in its portfolio, which gives the company an extra advantage.
The company invests heavily in research and development and is committed to sustainability: it works with organic cotton and doesn’t use plastic in its product line.
2. Puma
Puma is a sportswear company that produces footwear, apparel, and accessories. The company is based in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Puma was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler. The Dassler brothers founded the company Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik in 1924.
Adolf and Rudolf had a falling out in 1948, leading to Rudolf starting his own company, Puma. Puma’s products are designed for athletes and sponsor some of the world’s most famous athletes, including Usain Bolt, Michael Schumacher, and Sergio Aguero.
Puma and Adidas have a long and illustrious history dating back to 1948. Puma, like its estranged sibling, has been pressuring Nike for decades. The two brands have been locked in a battle for supremacy since the 1970s when they struggled to establish themselves in the U.S. market.
Adidas gained an edge over Puma in the 1980s thanks to its endorsement deals with high-profile athletes like Muhammad Ali and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. However, Puma made a comeback in the 1990s by signing deals with celebrities like Jay-Z and Usher.
Both brands are still going strong and are considered Nike’s main competitors. While Adidas has maintained its lead in sales and market share, Puma has grown faster in recent years. Puma’s revenues declined by 31% in Q2 2020, resulting in a net loss of more than $100 million.
Customers will be concerned about diversity more than anything in 2020. For example, Puma’s board of directors has 16% black and 33% female members, while Nike’s board has 15% black and 31% female members.
Puma is positioned better than other Nike competitors and has alternatives to capture Black Americans and women. Adidas is ahead of Puma. However, Puma remains one of Nike’s most formidable opponents globally.
Puma does not have the same degree of sports sponsorship as Adidas and Nike. However, as evidenced by Puma’s earnings, the brand is beloved by many.
3. Converse
Converse is a brand of shoes, apparel, and accessories. The company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Converse offers a wide range of products for men, women, and children. The company’s signature product is the Chuck Taylor All Star, a canvas sneaker first introduced in 1917.
Converse also manufactures popular styles like Jack Purcell and Pro Leather. In addition to shoes, Converse sells clothing and accessories such as t-shirts, hats, and bags.
The Converse brand has become an icon because it believes that the creative spirit can transform the world. As a result, it has a large and loyal youth customer base. According to industry experts, Nike’s $305 million acquisition of Converse in 2003 has not changed the brand’s authenticity or competitive edge.
“Converse has managed to stay true to its roots as an authentic, rebellious, and independent brand,” said Matt Powell, vice president and sports industry analyst at NPD Group.
That rebel image is part of what has allowed Converse to compete against its much larger parent company. Nike has been known to emulate Converse’s cool factor in its marketing campaigns.
“Nike is very good at understanding youth culture, and they’ve been able to use that insight to drive their business,” Powell said. “But I think they look at Converse in many ways and say, ‘That’s the kind of hip brand we want to be.
Shoes, accessories, and tennis shoes are part of its product line. Converse generated approximately $2 billion in revenue in 2020, keeping its position as one of the world’s most popular sports brands.
Everybody adores the way a converse sneaker appears with jeans or casual attire. However, this is a company that has elevated the aesthetics of footwear.Converse’s sports shoe collection is well-known and casual, particularly tennis shoes and sneakers.
4. Under Armour
Under Armour is an American sports clothing and accessories company. The company is a supplier of sportswear and casual apparel. Under Armour’s products are sold in over 140 countries, with offices in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Under Armour was founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank, a former University of Maryland football player. Plank began the business from his grandmother’s basement in Washington, D.C. He had $20,000 to start the company.
Under Armour’s first product was a t-shirt designed to wick sweat away from athletes’ bodies and keep them cool and dry during intense workouts.
Under Armour has a brand value of $4 billion and has only been in business for 25 years but has acquired a leadership position in the footwear industry.Under Armour and Nike have experienced revenue growth over the past five years.
In the world of athletic apparel, Nike has long been the king. But in recent years, Under Armour has given Nike a run for its money. Since 2013, Under Armour’s revenue has grown an impressive 20% yearly. In contrast, Nike’s revenue growth has averaged just 7% over the same period.
Under Armour’s strong performance is partly due to its focus on innovation. The company has invested heavily in developing new products, such as its line of health-tracking fitness devices.
Under Armour also attracted top athletes, including NBA superstar Stephen Curry, to endorse its products. With its strong growth and innovative products, Under Armour is quickly becoming a serious threat to Nike’s dominance in the athletic apparel market.
As its name implies, Under Armour began by producing lightweight, sweat-wicking performance garments that could be worn under other clothing and athletic equipment.The company eventually expanded into many of Nike’s areas, including footwear, clothing, and sports equipment.
Under Armour has invested more than $130 million in reorganization since 2017. A restructuring at Under Armour increased its net loss to $773 million in the first half of 2020. When the reorganization is complete, it can either boost its competitiveness or further erode its profitability.
5. Asics
Asics is a Japanese multinational corporation that produces sports equipment designed for a wide range of sports, generally in the upper price range. The company was founded in 1949 as Onitsuka Tiger and later renamed Asics in 1977. Asics produces shoes and other equipment for football, running, tennis, volleyball, and more.
The name “Asics” is an acronym for the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano, meaning “a sound mind in a sound body.” This phrase reflects the company’s commitment to producing quality products that promote healthy living through sport.
Asics also sponsors numerous athletes and sporting events worldwide as part of its marketing strategy. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line sports equipment, Asics is a great option.
Asics and Nike have a long history dating back to the 1960s, when Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, distributed shoes made by Onitsuka Tiger, which subsequently became Asics.Asics sells running shoes in Asia, Australia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and several other nations.
Asics and Nike are the biggest names in the athletic footwear industry. While they both offer high-quality products, they cater to different markets. Asics is known for its performance-based shoes, while Nike focuses on style and innovation.
There is no doubt that these two brands are fierce competitors. However, they also have a lot of respect for each other. Many experts believe that the competition between Asics and Nike has helped propel both companies to the top of their respective fields.
Asics’ popularity among athletes declined from 51% in 2018 to 7% in 2019, as 84 percent of contenders favored Nike’s Vaporfly Next percent sneakers. While the corporation lacks experience regaining its market share, it has the necessary skills.
The Japanese company Asics, publicly traded on the Tokyo stock exchange, is a reasonably close competitor to Nike, offering items in many of the same basic categories as Nike, including footwear, athletic gear, and accessories.
6. Vans
Vans is an urban footwear and apparel brand formed by first-generation Americans to honor their immigrant ancestors.The Los Angeles-based business is constantly engaging, promoting, and advocating for issues affecting underprivileged communities in the United States.
Vans is a shoe company that was founded in 1966. The company’s flagship product is the Vans Authentic, a canvas low-top sneaker. The company also produces other shoes, apparel, and accessories. V.F. Corporation owns vans. The company has its headquarters in Costa Mesa, California.
Vans was created in 1966 by two brothers, Paul and James Van Doren, who wanted to provide a more comfortable and stylish alternative to the conventional shoes of the time.
Vans became popular among skateboarders and surfers in California before exploding onto the mainstream fashion scene in the late 1970s. Today, Vans is one of the world’s most popular footwear and apparel brands, with a strong presence in urban culture.
While Vans has always been considered a competitor to Nike, it was only recently that the two brands became more direct rivals. This is partly due to Nike’s increasing focus on the skateboarding market, which Vans has long dominated. In addition, both brands are now competing for the attention of young consumers in cities worldwide.
Vans produced a new collection of shoes, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and hats in October 2020 with the theme “Work a Day in Our Shoes” to honor the hardworking poor and middle classes.
Vans sneakers retail for $100, but some proceeds benefit local non-governmental organizations. Vans has an advantage over Nike because of its involvement in the community.
Vans deserves a spot on the list of Nike’s competitors due to its iconic skate shoes, which, like many of Nike’s footwear, transcended the sport for which they were designed. Therefore, Vans has gained a devoted following among pop-punk fans and Southern California’s skate and surfing culture.
7. Brooks
Brooks is a brand of high-end running shoes, apparel, and accessories. It is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and was founded in 1914. The company is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.
Brooks’ products are designed for runners of all levels, from beginners to professional athletes. The company’s mission is to “inspire people to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, happier, and healthier.
Brooks is a well-known brand under the Berkshire Hathaway umbrella. The company offers high-end running footwear and clothing. More than 92 percent of Nordstrom’s merchandise is sold in department stores.
The share of running shoes sold between March and June 2020 shows Brooks overtaking Nike as the leading shoe brand. Additionally, Brooks outperforms Nike in niche running retailers.
In the past few months, Brooks has slowly taken over Nike as the leading shoe brand. This is a huge accomplishment for the company, as Nike has been the top shoe brand for many years.
Brooks’ success can be attributed to its high-quality products and competitive prices. Additionally, Brooks has created a strong online presence and is active on social media.
This is good news for consumers, as it provides them with more options for running shoes. It will be interesting to see if Brooks can maintain its lead over Nike in the coming months.
Brooks’ revenue was over $750 million in 2019, and the company anticipated a 20% increase in 2020. It is on the verge of becoming a billion-dollar brand. They shifted their focus in 2001 from broad athletic gear manufacturing to high-performance running shoes.
Brooks’ gamble paid off, with praise from major sports publications such as Runner’s World and Sports Illustrated and a 25% market share in the specialty running shoe category of the sports footwear market.
8. Columbia Sportswear Co.
Columbia Sportswear is a sportswear company that was founded in 1938. The company is based in Portland, Oregon, and its products are sold in over 65 countries. Columbia’s product line includes clothing and footwear for men, women, and children.
Columbia Sportswear’s clothing is designed for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing. Columbia’s footwear is also designed for outdoor use and includes hiking boots, sandals, and casual shoes.
In addition to its clothing and footwear lines, Columbia also manufactures a variety of outdoor gear, such as tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks.
Columbia Sportswear Company was founded in 1938 and develops and sells athletic footwear, clothing, equipment, and outerwear accessories. Columbia Sportswear Company is one of Nike’s main competitors.
Columbia has a strong presence in the outdoor apparel market and is known for its innovative designs and high-quality products. The company’s mission is to provide customers with products that inspire them to pursue their passions in the outdoors.
Columbia has a wide variety of products for both men and women, making it a great choice for those looking for athletic apparel. The decrease wiped approximately $1.5 billion off the brand’s market capitalization of $6.4 billion. Nevertheless, Columbia Sportswear is still a viable competitor to Nike.
As Columbia transitioned from manufacturing hats to sportswear manufacturers in the 1960s, the company built its reputation on breathable, waterproof jackets with removable shells – a novelty that drove sales and fast expansion.
9. Alo Yoga
Alo Yoga is a yoga brand that offers a range of yoga apparel and accessories for both men and women. The company was founded in 2007 by Danny Harris and Alanna Zabel, two yogis who were passionate about creating a yoga brand that was stylish, functional, and accessible to everyone.
Alo Yoga’s clothing is designed to be both fashionable and functional, with a focus on comfort and performance. The brand offers a range of yoga pants, leggings, shorts, tops, and jackets that are perfect for your yoga practice and everyday wear.
Alo Yoga also has a range of yoga mats, towels, props, and accessories to help you make the most out of your practice. Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Alo Yoga has something to offer everyone. So why not give it a try?
Alo Yoga, based in Los Angeles, has quickly become a popular source of fitness apparel. The e-commerce store Alo Yoga ranked first on the list of Nike competitors. It is due to several factors, including the company’s focus on quality products and excellent customer service.
Alo Yoga has a wide variety of yoga apparel for both men and women, making it a go-to source for many people looking for affordable and stylish fitness clothing.
The number of visitors to Alo Yoga’s online store increased by 131%, from 1.1 million in March 2019 to 2.7 million in July 2019. As a result, the company is gaining ground among Nike’s competitors.
Alo’s apparel is perhaps more directly competitive with Lululemon and other yoga-focused firms, but it competes with Nike due to its versatility. Alo Yoga provides an extensive range of products for men, yoga mats and backpacks, just like other yoga-focused manufacturers.
10. Xtep International Holdings
Xtep International Holdings is a mainland China-based company engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing sports footwear and apparel. The Company offers products for various sports, including running, basketball, football, tennis, badminton, volleyball, skating, and hiking activities.
Xtep International Holdings also manufactures and markets lifestyle leisure products under its brand names. The Company operates through two business segments: Sports Footwear and Apparel; and Others.
Xtep International Holdings has manufacturing facilities located in Dongguan and Fujian in Mainland China. The Company sells its products through a network of approximately 14,530 retail stores across Mainland China.
Xtep is a manufacturer and retailer of athletic apparel, including footwear, clothes, and accessories.While Nike still holds a large majority of the market share in China, with over 60 percent, companies like Xtep are slowly but surely closing the gap. Xtep is another Chinese sports apparel company with a similar product offering to Nike.
Founded in 2001, Xtep has been able to capitalize on the growing demand for sportswear and athleisure wear in China. The company has over 13,000 stores across China, and its products are available in over 30 countries worldwide.
A significant competitor of Nike in China, Xtep has an ever-increasing revenue and market share. Xtep is another Chinese sports apparel company with a more substantial international presence than in the United States. It owns several athletic apparel brands, such as Palladium, Saucony, Merrell, and K-Swiss.
Xtep is a leading manufacturer and marketer of various sports equipment and athletic wear categories. But in 2015, the company made a significant push into running a business and became the largest corporate sponsor of marathons in Mainland China.
11. New Balance
New Balance is an American footwear company that was founded in 1906. The company has manufacturing facilities in the United States and the U.K. and distribution centers worldwide.
New Balance is known for its innovative design and technology, which has resulted in a loyal following among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. The company offers a wide range of products, including running shoes, training shoes, lifestyle shoes, and more. New Balance is committed to making quality products that help people live better lives.
New Balance, one of Nike’s chief competitors in the athletic apparel and footwear industry, has a significant production presence in the United States. This is beneficial to the American consumer for a few reasons.
First, it allows New Balance to control its products’ quality better. Second, it keeps prices down since transportation costs are lower when goods don’t have to be shipped overseas. Finally, it supports American jobs since New Balance employs over 2,000 workers in its U.S. factories.
New Balance was founded in 1906 and has become one of the world’s leading footwear brands. It sold its products in over 120 countries and generated sales of $4 billion in 2019.
Its percentage of the baseball category in Major League Baseball climbed by 1%, from 18% in 2018 to 19% in 2019. Even though New Balance trails Nike (43% market share) and Adidas (22% market share), its recent focus on the sector could help it raise its market share in 2021 and beyond.
New Balance is one of the oldest sporting brands still in existence today, started in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company.
Unlike many of its competitors, New Balance remains a significant producer of athletic apparel and footwear in the United States, which benefits the American economy and allows the company to guarantee the quality of its products. That is one reason sneakers such as the popular 990 model are more expensive than shoes from Adidas or another big Nike competitor.
12. Reebok
Reebok is an athletic footwear and apparel company founded in England in 1958. The company is best known for its line of running shoes, but it also manufactures a wide range of other products, including fitness equipment, clothing, and accessories.
Reebok has always been a leader in innovation and has introduced many groundbreaking technologies to the world of athletics. Today, the company remains most respected in the sporting goods industry.
Reebok, owned by Adidas, is a British sports company that dominated the 1990s with stylish sneakers and tracks. Reebok has always been a competitor of Nike. Reebok has tried to differentiate itself from Nike by providing premium, high-end, and mid-range footwear.
Reebok’s strategy is to offer a wider range of products at different price points to attract more customers. This strategy appears to work as Reebok has gained market share from Nike in recent years.
Reebok reported a 42 percent fall in sales in the second quarter of 2020, and its contracts with the NFL and NBA had also expired, potentially impeding its recovery. Adidas is reportedly looking to sell Reebok for roughly $1 billion in 2021. This is around $2.8 billion less than Adidas paid for the brand in 2005, which cost $3.8 billion.
Reebok has operated as a subsidiary of the bigger Adidas brand, competing in many of the same areas as Nike and the leading Adidas brand. The Boston-based organization was once known for its sports footwear but now specializes in fitness and running gear.
Reebok primarily sponsored the extreme exercise regimen Crossfit developed by Greg Glassman until 2020.
13. Fila
Fila is a sportswear company that was founded in 1911 in Italy. The company produces clothing and footwear for men, women, and children. Fila’s products are sold in more than 70 countries.
Fila is best known for its tennis wear, worn by such champion players as Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova, and Serena Williams. The company also sponsors athletes in other sports, including golf, track and field, and winter sports.
Fila gained popularity in the 1980s among urban teenagers and casual basketball players. Since being acquired by Korean Fila in 2007, the brand has seen a resurgence after the fallout in the late 1990s.
The brand is quickly becoming a favorite of influencers such as Rihanna, and it will be present at Milan Fashion Week in 2019. Fila began sponsoring well-known athletes with tennis player Björn Borg.
Fila, a South Korean sportswear company, was founded in 1911. The company has been affiliated with tennis since its inception and has sponsored some of the biggest names in the sport, including Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova, and Serena Williams.
Unlike Nike, Fila has not expanded its roster of athletes beyond tennis (with notable exceptions including Grant Hill and Jerry Stackhouse). Fila’s decision to focus on tennis has paid off. The company sponsors Grand Slam tournaments and is the official outfitter of the International Tennis Federation.
In 2017, Fila generated $2.4 billion in revenue, making it the fifth-largest sportswear company in the world. Nike is much larger than Fila, but the South Korean brand has succeeded by focusing on a single sport.
Their most famous signing advocates today are not athletes: in 2019, they signed K-Pop sensation BTS as their new endorsers. Fila set a new sales record of $2.6 billion in 2018 and boosted revenue by 205 percent between 2016 and 2018. As a result, Fila has returned to the market to compete for market share.
14. Lululemon
Lululemon is a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company for women, men, and girls. The company was founded in 1998 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, by Chip Wilson.
Lululemon creates components for people to live long, healthy and fun lives. The company’s products are designed to help keep the body and mind connected during physical activity.
Lululemon produces a range of clothing items, including pants, shorts, tops, jackets, headwear, yoga mats, and other accessories. The company’s flagship stores also offer free yoga classes to the public.
Although Lululemon’s 22-year-old company does not offer footwear, it competes with Nike in yoga-inspired essentials. Its patented fabrics, such as Nulu and Everlux, give it an advantage over Nike.
Vancouver-based Although Lululemon Athletica does not manufacture shoes, they compete with Nike in the athletic gear, athleisure, and casual wear categories.
The brand began in 1998 with a concentration on yoga trousers and other yoga clothes for women before expanding to include performance wear and athletic clothing for men and women in nearly every category, including shirts, shorts, pants, and accessories.
Lulumelon’s e-commerce accounted for 54% of revenue in the first quarter of 2020 compared to Nike’s 30%. Lululemon’s overall sales growth is faster than Nike’s, even though their e-commerce growth rates are comparable. As a result, Lululemon is rapidly catching up.
15. Anta Sports
Anta Sports is a leading sportswear company in China that designs, manufactures, and markets sportswear products. The company offers a wide range of products, including footwear, apparel, and accessories for athletes and sports enthusiasts. Anta Sports also sponsors several professional athletes and teams in various sports.
Founded in 1990, Anta Sports has grown to become one of the largest sportswear companies in China. The company has over 30,000 employees and operates over 3,000 stores across China. In addition to its domestic market, Anta Sports also exports its products to over 100 countries around the world.
Over the past few years, Anta Sports has been rapidly expanding its international presence. The company has opened stores in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
Anta Sports has a range of athletic gear, footwear, and accessories.Anta’s yearly revenue exceeded $5 billion in FY19 and has grown at an 18 percent compound annual growth rate over the last decade.
While Anta Sports, which used to be known as Anta Footwear Manufacturer Ltd., is significantly less well-known in North America. It earned the third-highest total revenue among athletes in 2019.
Anta manufactures and markets athletic clothes and accessories under its brand and logo in virtually every major category. Additionally, like Nike, they possess a slew of sub-brands that may be more recognized to North Americans, such as the Arc’teryx product line and Louisville Slugger.
ANTA is one of the country’s largest sportswear brands, with a 15% market share by 2020. The company is also a direct competitor of Nike.
16. Gymshark
Gymshark is a fitness apparel and accessories brand headquartered in the United Kingdom. The company sells its products through its website, retail stores, and third-party retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon.
Gymshark’s mission is to empower people to reach their full potential through fitness. The company offers a wide range of products for both men and women, including workout clothes, sports bras, leggings, and more.
Gymshark is a $1.4 billion sports brand started by Ben Francis, a 28-year-old former pizza delivery driver from a small English village. Gymshark, dubbed the “Nike of Gen Z,” rose to prominence by delivering high-quality $25 athletic shorts and employing TikTok influencer marketing.
Ben Francis co-founded the company in 2013, creating made-to-order garments on a sewing machine in his parent’s garage before the brand’s luxurious tracksuits became a hit at a British sports expo and immediately went viral.
The company then evolved into fitness clothes and accessories and is now worth about a billion pounds in the United Kingdom. Gymshark’s income climbed by 40% to $330 million in 2020. Additionally, the corporation benefited from a $300 million investment by General Atlantic in August 2020 for a 21% stake in the brand.
Gymshark pays between $6,000 and $100,000 annually to 80 ripped fitness influencers to live and sell the Gymshark lifestyle on TikTok and Instagram.
Gymshark has quickly become one of the most popular fitness brands in the world, thanks to its high-quality products and commitment to customer satisfaction. If you’re looking for workout gear to help you reach your goals, Gymshark is worth checking out!
17. Champion
Champion was the most influential brand in sportswear long before Nike and Adidas. The company sponsored big sporting events such as the NBA from 1919 to 1955 and was 50 years ahead of Nike as the most popular casual sportswear brand.
Champion created the hoodie and pioneered the manufacturing technique known as “reverse weave.” While the brand has waned in popularity since its heyday, its signature styles from the early years are making a comeback.
Champion has produced official soccer jerseys for major sports organizations for decades, including the NFL, NBA, and U.S. Olympic teams.
Today, they are less well-known for their performance apparel but have had a renaissance as customers love classic sports attire like tees, hoodies, and sweatshirts.
Champion narrow-cut jersey sweatpants and the lightweight pair they collaborated on with designer Todd Snyder made my list of the finest men’s joggers.
18. Skechers
Skechers is an American footwear company specializing in athletic and lifestyle shoes for men, women, and children. The company was founded in 1992 by CEO Robert Greenberg and is headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California. Skechers has more than 3,000 stores worldwide and employs over 10,000 people.
The company’s product line includes Skechers Performance, which offers footwear for running, walking, training, and other activities; Skechers GOrun, a line of shoes designed for runners; and Skechers Kids, a line of shoes for children.
In addition to shoes, the company also sells apparel and accessories. Skechers is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SKX) and is a member of the S&P 500 Index.
Skechers is known for its affordable lifestyle and performance shoes.Sketchers’ global net sales reached approximately $5.2 billion in 2019 and grew by more than $3 billion from 2014 to 2020.
Skechers’ footwear brands had an average price of $21.67 in 2019, significantly less than Nike.
19. Li Ning
Athlete Li Ning created his namesake company in 1990 as a Chinese sportswear brand. The company produces many sporting equipment and apparel, including shoes, badminton equipment, and fitness gear.
In addition to selling its products in China, Li Ning has expanded internationally, with stores in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. The company has sponsored several high-profile athletes, including Olympic gymnast Li Xiaopeng and NBA player Dwayne Wade.
Li Ning is a publicly-traded company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Its revenue was over US$3 billion in 2016.
Sports footwear manufacturer Li Ning was founded by China’s most famous gymnast of the same name. It will surpass newcomers such as Anta Sports and Xtep in 2020 but still retain a 6.1 percent market share in China, well behind Nike’s 23 percent.
Li Ning’s revenue increased by 32% to 13.9 billion Yuan in 2019, and its net income doubled to 1.5 billion Yuan. It projected a profit margin of 10.5 percent for 2020.
20. K-Swiss
K-Swiss is a footwear brand based in the United States specializing in tennis shoes, sneakers, and tennis-related accessories. K-Swiss is a footwear company that was founded in 1966.
K-Swiss is known for its tennis shoes but also produces other types, such as running and casual shoes. K-Swiss has a wide range of products for both men and women.
K-Swiss was founded by two Swiss brothers, Ernst and Art Bareggi, who immigrated to the United States in 1966. The brothers were inspired by the popularity of tennis in California to start a company that would produce quality tennis shoes.
K-Swiss quickly became a leading manufacturer of tennis shoes, and today the company sponsors several professional athletes. K-Swiss has always been an innovator in the shoe industry. In 1976, K-Swiss introduced the first leather tennis shoe, quickly became a bestseller.
A collaboration with Venus Williams, scheduled to debut in 2020, gave the brand a boost. The tennis legend was instrumental in reimagining the K-Swiss Classic. The agreement can increase the brand’s exposure to tennis players and fans in 2021 and beyond.
21. Public Rec
Public Rec is a streetwear brand that focuses on comfort and style. The brand offers a range of clothing items, including shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and pants. Public Rec’s mission is to provide high-quality, comfortable clothing that can be worn both on and off the court.
Public Rec was founded in 2013 by two former college basketball players, Tony Andersen and Dave Trumbull. The duo started the brand to create clothing that would be both comfortable and stylish.
After working with several different factories and designers, they finally found the perfect combination of materials and construction to create their signature clothing line. Since its launch, Public Rec has become one of the most popular streetwear brands among athletes and celebrities.
Though Public Rec is a fraction of Nike’s size, it has stirred the athletic and athleisure categories by selling trendy, comfortable clothing directly to consumers through the direct-to-consumer strategy.
Public Rec sells clothes directly to consumers rather than through department stores or intermediaries who mark the price before passing it on to you and me.
Public Rec began focusing on activewear for men but recently expanded into womenswear and continues to increase the number of items they offer yearly.
22. V.F. Corporation
V.F. Corporation is an American holding company that owns several clothing and footwear companies. It is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The company was founded in 1899 as the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company. It later changed its name to Vanity Fair Mills and V.F. Corporation.
Today, V.F. Corporation owns several brands, including The North Face, JanSport, Nautica, Wrangler, Lee, and Timberland. It has over 60,000 people and generates over $12 billion in annual revenue.
Vanity Fair Mills, founded in 1899 as Vanity Fair Mills, built a brand portfolio that today includes well-known brands such as Timberland, North Face, and JanSport.
Nike and V.F. compete in the activewear segment, but V.F. has a more diverse portfolio of products, whereas Nike has minimal presence in the work and outdoor components.
23. Rothy’s
Rothy’s is a women’s shoe company specializing in comfortable, stylish flats made from recycled materials. The company was founded in 2012 by three entrepreneurs looking for a more sustainable way to make shoes.
Rothy’s uses a patented process to turn recycled plastic water bottles into a soft, durable fabric that can be used to make shoes. The company offers a variety of styles, including ballet flats, loafers, and oxfords, in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Rothy’s also offers a customizable option where customers can design their shoes. Rothy’s ships to over 50 countries and has locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Rothy’s has grown from a women’s shoe brand to include purses (and, more recently, masks) by 2020.
Rothy distinguishes itself from Nike competitors and other shoemakers by emphasizing sustainability; its shoes are made entirely of recyclable materials. In addition, the company aims to achieve fully closed-loop manufacturing by 2023.
24. Toms
Toms is a popular brand of shoes, and its mission is to provide shoes for people in need. The company was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, and it has since donated over 60 million pairs of shoes to children in need around the world.
Toms also operates an eyewear program, which has provided over 400,000 people with vision care. In addition to its charitable work, Toms is also known for its comfortable and stylish shoes.
When Blake Mycoskie, a former contestant on The Amazing Race, launched Toms in 2006 as a shoe company, it immediately distinguished itself with its “one for one” concept. It pledged to donate one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold.
Today, the firm’s services and mission have extended significantly beyond shoes: the company also sells eyewear, clothes, and accessories such as purses and shoes and claims to devote one-third of its profits to “grassroots good.”
25. Allbirds
Allbirds is a shoe company that makes comfortable, stylish shoes out of sustainable materials. The company was founded in 2014 by Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger, who wanted to create a more sustainable alternative to conventional sneakers.
Allbirds’ shoes are made from wool, eucalyptus tree fiber, and sugarcane, and they’re designed to be as comfortable as possible. The company has been praised for its commitment to sustainability and has won several awards for its innovative products.
Allbirds running shoes are made entirely of high-quality local New Zealand merino wool. Allbirds is one of the most successful direct-to-consumer shoe companies, and its philosophy and mission are all focused on sustainability.
Allbirds has expanded beyond footwear to include sustainable sporting apparel for men and women, including tees, sweaters, jackets, and accessories such as socks and undergarments.
Final Words on Nike Competitors and Alternatives Analysis
In conclusion, Nike has many competitors in the athletic apparel industry. However, Nike has been able to stay ahead of the competition by continuously innovating and marketing its products effectively.
Nike’s competitors are doing a great job of keeping up with the company. However, Nike is still the leader in the industry and is expected to continue to grow. It will be interesting to see how Nike’s competitors will react in the future as Nike continues to dominate the market.
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