Dick's Sporting Goods Expands Clearance Store Concepts

Dick’s Sporting Goods is expanding two new low-priced concepts. The sporting goods retailer first opened three clearance centers last year in Michigan, South Carolina and Wisconsin. But the 11 new stores — some called Overtime by Dick’s Sporting Goods, and others Dick’ Sporting Goods Warehouse — expand Dick's Sporting Goods off-price presence to nine states. Those include Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Both concepts will offer a continually updated selection of brand-name items, some at as much as 90 percent off.

Total Retail's Take: As retailers begin to reopen stores and try to draw back in reluctant shoppers, they may have to have to rely on the age-old tactic of discounting. This is particularly true for consumers in the midst of near-record unemployment rates, which have served to drive down consumer confidence and limit discretionary spending. In the case of Dick's Sporting Goods, these clearance stores offer the retail chain a place to offload excess inventory — which there's likely plenty of considering COVID-19 closures — while giving consumers an opportunity to venture back into physical stores and get a great deal in the process.