about us

Since opening our first store in 1945, Hibbett has grown from a single location to over 1,000 stores nationwide. We’re proud of where we’ve been, excited about where we’re going, and clear about who we are. Here’s a look at our journey.

1945–1969 | Small Start, Big Vision​

In 1945, Rufus Hibbett founded the company as Dixie Supply Company, Inc., selling athletic, marine, and aviation gear. When his sons, Ike and George, joined in 1952, the company shifted its focus to team sports and was renamed Hibbett & Sons. By 1969, we had become Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc., laying the foundation for decades of growth.

1979–1995 | Southern Expansion​

Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Hibbett expanded strategically across the South, focusing on small and mid-sized markets. By 1995, we operated 75 stores and continued to build momentum.

1996–2005 | Going Public & Reaching Milestones​

Hibbett became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ in 1996. We earned recognition like Nike’s Retail Excellence Award and celebrated the opening of our 500th store in 2005, nearing $500 million in revenue.

2007–2014 | Strengthening Our Footprint​

We continued to grow, reaching 873 stores by 2012. In 2014, we moved into our new corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, and opened a state-of-the-art distribution center in Alabaster.

2015–2019 | Digital Transformation​

Hibbett hit a major milestone in 2015 with 1,000 stores. We launched our e-commerce site in 2017, acquired City Gear in 2018, and introduced our mobile app—bringing sneaker raffles and exclusive drops to our customers.

2019–2021 | Community & Recognition​

We crossed $1 billion in revenue in 2019 and launched storytelling campaigns like “Small Town Sneakerhead” and “Support Her Sole” with Nike. Hibbett was also named to Forbes’ lists for diversity, large employers, and loyalty programs.

2022–2024 | Empowerment & New Horizons​

We sponsored the 2022 World Games and continued our partnership with Nike on initiatives like “Cleared for Takeoff.” In 2024, Hibbett joined the JD Sports Fashion PLC family, combining our local expertise with global reach.

2024–2025 | Looking Ahead​

We launched “First String,” a philanthropic effort supporting youth athletes, and introduced KidsHibbett.com—making it easier than ever to shop top kids’ brands like Nike, adidas, and Crocs.

Today, Hibbett remains committed to serving athletes and sneaker enthusiasts in communities across the country, blending local heart with world-class style.