ASO

Academy Sports and Outdoors operates a rapidly growing chain of retail stores offering sporting goods, outdoor recreation equipment, firearms, apparel, and footwear across the southern and central United States. Headquartered in Katy, Texas, Academy operates over 280 stores in 18 states including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and expanding into Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, positioning the company as the nation's fourth-largest sporting goods retailer behind Dick's Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, and Cabela's. The company emphasizes value pricing offering quality branded merchandise including Nike, Adidas, Yeti, Carhartt, and Under Armour alongside proprietary brands generating higher margins including Magellan Outdoors camping gear, BCG athletic apparel, and Freely fishing equipment. Academy's product assortment spans team sports equipment, fitness gear, hunting and fishing supplies, camping equipment, grills, patio furniture, firearms and ammunition (representing 10-15% of sales), and seasonal merchandise. The retailer completed its initial public offering in October 2020 following years of private equity ownership, using proceeds to reduce debt and fund new store openings targeting 100+ new locations over the next five years. Academy reported annual sales exceeding $6 billion with approximately 18,000 employees serving customers through stores averaging 65,000 square feet combining warehouse-style layouts with specialty departments providing expert advice on hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities popular across its geographic footprint.