Sports & outdoors · 2026 benchmarks

Sports & outdoors ecommerce benchmarks

Directional 2026 ranges for sports & outdoors brands: margin, order value, acquisition cost, repeat rate, and the break-even ROAS those economics imply. Every figure is cited; category norms vary widely by price point and stage, so treat them as a starting point and run your own numbers.

Break-even ROAS at the sports & outdoors median margin
2.2x

At a 45% gross margin, every order breaks even at about 2.2x ROAS. Below it you lose money before overhead. Find your exact target →

MetricLowMedianHigh
Real gross margin35%45%58%
Average order value$100$150$260
New-customer CAC$40$70$100
Repeat purchase rate15%21%27%
Returns10%13%18%
Net profit margin3%7%10%

Sources: Real gross margin · Average order value · New-customer CAC · Repeat purchase rate · Returns · Net profit margin. Directional, 2026.

How to read these sports & outdoors numbers

A 45% gross margin is the single most important figure here, because it sets the floor on your ads: break-even ROAS is 1 divided by margin, about 2.2x for sports & outdoors. With an average order around $150 and a typical CAC near $70, the question is whether the gross profit per order (45% of $150 is about $68) covers acquisition with room left for overhead and profit. Repeat rate (around 21%) is what lets sports & outdoors brands spend above first-order break-even and still win.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good profit margin for sports & outdoors brands?+

Gross margins for sports & outdoors typically run about 35% to 58%, around 45% at the median, before the full cost stack (shipping, fees, returns). Net margins land near 7%. These vary widely by price point and stage; treat them as directional.

What ROAS do sports & outdoors brands need?+

Break-even ROAS is roughly 1 divided by your gross margin. At a 45% margin that is about 2.2x, so any campaign reporting below that loses money before overhead. Your target sits above it. Work out your exact number in the Target ROAS calculator.

What is a typical CAC and AOV for sports & outdoors?+

Average order value clusters around $150 (roughly $100 to $260), and customer acquisition cost around $70. What matters is the gap between them after margin, not either number alone.

Turn these benchmarks into your target

Drop in one sports & outdoors product and get the exact ROAS and ad budget per sale it needs to profit.

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