Fleet Feet has revealed its inaugural Fleet Feet Running Report, which included deep dive into the top-performing shoes at the retailer.
In the report, the specialty run retail powerhouse revealed Hoka had the top two running shoes sold at Fleet Feet, and Brooks had the following three. Specifically, the Hoka models were the Clifton and the Bondi, which held the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively. The Brooks Glycerin, Ghost and Adrenaline followed.
What’s more, Fleet Feet revealed Asics, Karhu and New Balance were the top three fastest-growing shoe brands. Diadora and Topo Athletic rounded out the top five.
Continuing with footwear — which Fleet Feet revealed in the report accounts for 75 percent of its business — the top 10 best-selling brands, in order, are Hoka, Brooks, On, New Balance, Asics, Saucony, Altra, Karhu, Mizuno and Oofos.
Road running shoes dominated, accounting for 91 percent of footwear sales. Lifestyle looks was second with 3.6 percent, which was followed by trail (2.8 percent) and racing (1.6).
Aside from footwear, Fleet Feet’s report revealed Lululemon, Vuori and Rabbit as its best-selling apparel brands.
The aforementioned data was gathered from April 2023 to April 2024.
Fleet Feet stated its report includes running consumer insights from a survey it commissioned with YouGov, which was fielded between Jan. 10 and Feb. 20, as well as scan data from technology partner Volumental and systemwide sales data from the retailer’s 270-plus locally owned and operated stores. Specific to the YouGov survey, Fleet Feet said it included responses from more than 3,500 people, ages 18 and older, who spent $75 or more on running shoes and/or apparel or accessories in the past 12 months.
According to the report, more than 80 percent of the people who responded run or walk as their primary fitness activity and run an average of 17 miles per week. Also, nearly half of the people who responded run two to four times a week, with a quarter running six to seven times a week. Fifty percent of runners and walkers, according to the report, are between the ages of 30 and 44.
“The past few years, we’ve seen a huge uptick in running interest and participation,” Fleet Feet president and chief executive officer Joey Pointer said in a statement. “We believe understanding our customers allows us to better serve them, and we’ve compiled this data to share some of the trends we’re seeing with other run specialty retailers in hopes that together, we can inspire even more people in our communities to start moving.”
Fleet Feet senior director of performance marketing and partnerships Tiffany Lee added, “Some of the data really validates what we know about our customers and products, and supports what we see in our stores every day; while other data challenges us to think differently about how we can connect with new people coming into the sport. We’re in a unique position to share trends about the running industry, and drive the conversation around the state of running now, and more importantly, where it’s heading.”
In March, Pointer spoke with FN and revealed insights on how 2024 should play out for Fleet Feet. After ending 2023 with a 5 percent comp store sales increase year-over-year, the exec stated growth expectations are the same for 2024. At that point, the North Carolina-based specialty run retailer could eclipse $500 million in sales. (It finished 2023 at $494 million.)
What’s more, Pointer stated Fleet Feet — which started this year with 291 doors, including 22 for Marathon Sports, a retailer it acquired in 2022 — could potentially cross the 300-store mark in 2024. Porter stated it aims to add 16 locations this year, including existing franchisees expanding, new partners and a company-owned store.
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
