Dick’s Sporting Goods Social Listening Report: What Consumers Said in August 2025

Summary:

August 2025 revealed Dick’s Sporting Goods as a brand at the center of consumer conversation — praised for its product quality, community engagement, and innovative retail experiences, yet challenged by customer service frustrations and competitive pressure from Amazon. Social listening data not only exposed what consumers celebrated and criticized but also reflected broader retail trends — from merger speculation with Foot Locker to concerns about retail theft and shifting stock market sentiment. For retailers, this report is a reminder that monitoring digital conversations isn’t just about tracking mentions — it’s about decoding the cultural and competitive forces shaping consumer expectations and using those insights to make smarter, faster business decisions.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Social Listening Report: What Consumers Said in August 2025

In August 2025, Dick’s Sporting Goods generated a significant wave of online conversation across digital and social channels. According to RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING’s social listening analysis, the brand received close to 70,000 mentions throughout the month of August, with more than 9,600 mentions in the last week of the month alone. This steady engagement underscores the retailer’s prominence in consumer discussions and highlights the importance of monitoring sentiment in real time.

Who Was Talking in August?

Our demographic analysis shows a clear skew toward male audiences:

• 73% of mentions came from self-identified men

• 27% of mentions came from self-identified women

This aligns with the brand’s strong positioning in categories like athletic equipment, footwear, and team sports.

Sentiment Overview: August 2025

The breakdown of sentiment toward Dick’s Sporting Goods in August:

• Neutral: 79%

• Positive: 12%

• Negative: 10%

While the majority of mentions were neutral, consumer praise and criticism revealed specific drivers shaping brand perception.

Positive Drivers in August 2025

1. Product Quality & Variety (73%)

Shoppers continue to praise Dick’s Sporting Goods for its extensive range of products and consistent quality.

2. Youth Sports Sponsorships (27%)

The brand’s commitment to supporting local leagues and youth athletes drew significant positive attention.

3. Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios (26%)

The launch of the in-house production studio in August sparked conversations around content innovation and storytelling.

4. Community Initiatives (12%)

Efforts like free shoes for local students and celebrity clinics made headlines in August, reinforcing Dick’s community-first image.

5. Innovative Retail Concepts (9%)

The “House of Sport” stores continued to be a talking point in August, showcasing Dick’s focus on experiential retail.

6. Event Sponsorships (3%)

August’s highlights included Dick’s sponsorship of the Little League Softball World Series, boosting visibility with families and athletes.

Negative Drivers in August 2025

1. Customer Service Issues (33%)

The top complaint in August was delayed shipments and lack of customer support responsiveness, with frustrated shoppers pointing to gaps in service.

2. Amazon Comparisons (5%)

Notably, in August, many dissatisfied customers referenced Amazon as a faster, more reliable alternative, reflecting the e-commerce giant’s impact on consumer expectations.

3. Merger Concerns with Foot Locker (13%)

August discussions also centered on the potential Dick’s–Foot Locker merger, raising antitrust concerns and sparking speculation about how retail consolidation could impact consumer choice.

4. Retail Theft Incidents (12%)

Reports of in-store theft remained a reputational challenge in August, feeding negative sentiment.

5. Stock Market Performance (6%)

In August, Dick’s Sporting Goods stock closed at $225.97, marking a slight uptick. Analysts, however, continued to debate whether inflation and shifting consumer behaviors might create downside risk in the months ahead.

What August Taught Us About Retail Trends

The August 2025 data shows that Dick’s Sporting Goods’ strongest assets remain product quality, community engagement, and innovative retail concepts. However, ongoing customer service complaints and direct comparisons to Amazon reveal where the retailer must close the gap.

This month’s data also demonstrates how social conversations reflect broader retail dynamics — from merger speculation to stock market performance. For consumer brands, these insights serve as a reminder that social listening is not optional. It’s essential for identifying risks, benchmarking against competitors, and amplifying positive drivers of brand loyalty.

RILA’s Expertise in Social Listening for Retail

At RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING, we specialize in turning raw data from months like August 2025 into actionable business intelligence. Our social listening services help retailers and consumer brands:

• Monitor real-time consumer sentiment

• Benchmark against competitors such as Amazon

• Track merger and acquisition conversations

• Measure the impact of community engagement initiatives

• Identify risks tied to customer service, theft, or stock market perception

If your brand wants to understand what consumers said about you in

August 2025 — and how to use that intelligence to shape your strategy — we can help.

Contact RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING today to learn how our insights can future-proof your brand.

About RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING

RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING (TILA) is a New York–based consumer and market research agency specializing in social listening, digital analytics, and competitive intelligence. We partner with Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing brands across industries to decode online conversations, uncover consumer insights, and transform data into actionable strategies. With a global team and deep expertise in pharmaceuticals, retail, finance, and technology, RILA delivers future-proof intelligence that helps organizations innovate, build trust, and stay ahead in rapidly evolving markets.