Sports activities Direct has been revealed because the main model within the UK’s footwear sector, in accordance with a newly revealed report by Salience Search Advertising.
The annual business report identifies the top-performing manufacturers based mostly on on-line visibility and prominence. Utilizing 11 key efficiency indicators, similar to year-on-year visibility development, search quantity tendencies and model consciousness, the report uncovers which footwear retailers are capturing essentially the most consideration from UK customers on-line.
Sports activities Direct topped the record for 2025, reaching a powerful natural visitors rating of 5,830,568. The retailer, greatest recognized for its wide-ranging providing of sportswear and footwear, got here forward of world powerhouse Nike, which ranked second with an natural visitors rating of 5,597,452. JD Sports activities, one other main excessive avenue and on-line participant, adopted in third place with a rating of 4,677,015.
Adidas took the fourth spot, Schuh adopted in fifth and New Stability in sixth. Workplace, Ugg, Crocs and Clarks had been additionally within the high 10.
Brett Janes, Managing Director at Salience Search Advertising, mentioned: “By analysing the market leaders of a specific business, it’s straightforward to identify the manufacturers doing every little thing proper. This yr, firms similar to Sports activities Direct and Nike cleared the path, performing as examples for the remainder of the business.
“Total, it’ll be attention-grabbing to trace this high ten record over the subsequent twelve months to uncover any adjustments or if a brand new model emerges because the market chief throughout the UK’s footwear sector.”
Regardless of Sports activities Direct taking high spot, the retailer is at present beneath investigation. Based on client group Which?, Sports activities Direct’s pricing may very well be deceptive buyers into considering they’re getting a greater deal than they are surely. The watchdog has reported Sports activities Direct to the Competitors and Markets Authority (CMA) following tip-offs over the retail big’s use of Really helpful Retail Costs (RRPs).
Sports activities Direct generally costs its merchandise with a comparative RRP determine to point it’s providing prospects a less expensive deal. However Which? mentioned its researchers couldn’t discover some objects offered at Sports activities Direct’s said RRP value wherever else on-line.
