Academy Sports + Outdoors is continuing their multi-year expansion strategy. They’re quickly opening stores, expanding their geography, and adding density.
They just announced that they opened three new stores and have plans to open eight more in the fall. In total for fiscal year 2025, they plan to open 20 to 25 new stores.
We’re excited to continue bringing the Academy experience to even more communities across the country this fall. Each location represents our commitment to helping active families have fun with the best quality products and the top brands at everyday market-leading value – whether they’re gearing up for the game, the outdoors, or the adventures of everyday life.
Eric Friederich, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations at Academy Sports + Outdoors
With this latest batch of stores, Academy continues to move north. They opened a location in Boardman, OH, which is southeast of Cleveland, near the PA border. Previously, their geography extended north to the Columbus area. Below is the list of locations on schedule for Q3.
- Boardman, OH
- Beaufort, SC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Rome, GA
- Cullman, AL
- Mishawaka, IN
- Lakeland, FL
- Columbia, TN
- Albany, GA
- Palestine, TX
- Batesville, MS
Academy offers a wide selection of outdoor cooking products including grills and accessories. They also carry a larger selection of rubs than other retailers.
We offer the broadest and most holistic assortment in the marketplace across cooking types and surfaces, Spices and Rubs, accessories, and premium fuels, making it another key differentiator and traffic driver for Academy.
Steve Lawrence, CEO of Academy Sports
Other retailers should take notice of Academy’s expansion, because the are taking market share in the outdoor cooking spice.
Consumables
An area that differentiates Academy from other big box retailers in the grilling space is their wide selection of rubs. Through the slowdown in grills, consumables have performed relatively well, because consumers are still using their grills.
There could be more competition brewing in rubs due to the benefit to retailers. Academy uses rubs as a differentiator and to maintain a relationship with their customer. A wide selection of rubs have also been a staple at Ace Hardware stores. I’ve heard a rumor that Home Depot is also getting more into rubs with a partnership with Dan-O’s and Kendrick BBQ coming in the near future.