Dick's boasts eye-popping sales, readies to buy rival Foot Locker

I still remember the feeling of walking into Dick’s Sporting Goods as a kid.

The smell of rubber, synthetic turf, and new sneakers hit you the second you walked through the doors. There were endless rows of baseball gloves, cleats, and basketballs, and racks of hoodies that made you feel like the next MVP.

It didn’t matter what sport I was into that season — whether it was field hockey, lacrosse, or even basketball. There was always something new to try on, test out, or beg my mom for.

Related: Nike reverses course as weak sales raise alarm

A trip to Dick’s usually meant something exciting was coming: a new season, a new team, a fresh start.

It was more than just shopping. It felt like a tradition — a rite of passage for every young athlete and a ritual I looked forward to year after year.

Turns out, I wasn’t alone. For generations, Dick’s has been the go-to for gear, sneakers, and everything in between. And if the company's latest earnings are any indication, that emotional connection still pays off.

Dick’s Sporting Goods just delivered a massive quarter. And its not stopping there.

Sales soar as Dick’s Sporting Goods doubles down on expansion

Dick's Sporting Goods  (DKS)  posted record-breaking Q1 results, pulling in $3.17 billion in net sales — a 5.2% jump from the same period last year.

Comparable store sales were up 4.5%, marking the fifth straight quarter of comp growth above 4%.

That’s especially impressive, given how many retailers are currently grappling with inflation, inventory bloat, tariff uncertainty, and unpredictable consumer behavior. Dick’s isn’t just surviving the chaos — it’s apparently thriving in it.

Related: Here's why Dick's Sporting Goods purchased Foot Locker

In the first quarter alone, Dick’s opened two new House of Sport locations and four more Field House stores, both of which offer immersive retail environments that go beyond typical aisles and shelves.

These new formats are more than flashy concepts — they’re part of a broader push to future-proof the business by building communities, not just stores. And while the numbers were solid, the real story might be what Dick’s is planning next.

Dick's Sporting Goods bets $2.5 billion on Foot Locker and the future of sports retail

On May 15, Dick’s confirmed it would acquire rival Foot Locker in a deal valued at approximately $2.5 billion.

The merger is still subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, but if it goes through, it will create a powerhouse in the athletic retail space.

Foot Locker shareholders will receive either $24 per share in cash or 0.1168 shares of Dick's stock — a structure that reflects Dick’s desire to close the deal while keeping some financial flexibility intact.

Company leadership sees the acquisition as a way to unify two strong brand communities: the youth sports athlete and the sneakerhead.

Dick’s isn’t playing for seasonal wins — it wants to own the whole game.

“We’ve admired Foot Locker’s brand and the community they’ve built in sneaker culture,” said Executive Chairman Ed Stack. “By bringing our two great brands together, we see the opportunity to create a global leader in the sports retail industry.”

Dick’s has reaffirmed its outlook for the year, pointing to steady momentum and confidence in its long-term strategy.

If the merger with Foot Locker goes through, Dick’s could finish the year not just with record sales, but with a whole new level of global reach and influence.

I just hope kids today get that same feeling I did when they walk through those doors...like something big is about to begin.

Related: New Balance’s upcoming drop sends a clear message to rivals