Foot Locker vs Hype DC:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Foot Locker had more branded searches than Hype DC among sneaker retailers in Australia. Foot Locker had about 301,000 branded searches, while Hype DC had 49,500. Foot Locker made up 28.8% of all sneaker retailer searches we track, and Hype DC accounted for 4.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sneaker retailers, Foot Locker appeared in three of the four answers and Hype DC in one. Foot Locker and Hype DC were each mentioned first in one of the two answers.
Who do people search for more?
Foot Locker, about 6 searches for every 1 for Hype DC
Who does AI mention more?
Foot Locker, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Hype DC in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top sneaker retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Foot Locker was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Hype DC was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Foot Locker and Hype DC were each listed first in one of the two answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Foot Locker3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Culture Kings2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
JD Sports1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Hype DC1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
The Athlete's Foot1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Platypus0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about sneaker retailers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy sneakers in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sneaker stores in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which store in Australia has the best range of running shoes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sneakers”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“shoe stores”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Foot Locker or Hype DC more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Foot Locker and Hype DC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six sneaker retailers we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Foot Locker, Hype DC. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | JD Sports | Foot Locker | Culture Kings | Platypus | Hype DC | The Athlete's Foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.5% | 29.1% | 15.9% | 13% | 3.9% | 2.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 32.3% | 32.3% | 17.7% | 11.8% | 4.3% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.5% | 28.2% | 18.9% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 2.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.3% | 29.7% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 4% | 3.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 31.9% | 31.9% | 17.5% | 11.6% | 4.3% | 2.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 37.7% | 30.8% | 13.8% | 11.3% | 4.1% | 2.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 41.9% | 28.1% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 4.6% | 2.5% |
| May 2026 | 36.6% | 29.9% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 4% | 2.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.9% | 26.7% | 14.6% | 12% | 4.4% | 2.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.8% | 28.6% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 3.2% | 2.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.3% | 26.3% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 5.3% | 2.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 35.2% | 28.8% | 15.8% | 12.9% | 4.7% | 2.6% |
How has the Foot Locker and Hype DC comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Foot Locker was ahead of Hype DC in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Foot Locker’s share of searches among sneaker retailers in Australia moved from 29.1% to 28.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hype DC’s share of searches among sneaker retailers in Australia moved from 3.9% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for Australia sneaker retailers in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Foot Locker gained share of searches among sneaker retailers in Australia, from 26.3% to 28.8%.

In September 2026, Hype DC lost share of searches among sneaker retailers in Australia, from 5.3% to 4.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Foot Locker’s and Hype DC’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Foot Locker
1 branded search term
- foot locker
Hype DC
1 branded search term
- hype dc
Other head-to-heads among sneaker retailers

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