Pro:Direct vs SportsShoes.com:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pro:Direct had more branded searches than SportsShoes.com among sports retailers in the United Kingdom. Pro:Direct had about 135,000 branded searches, while SportsShoes.com had 118,000. Pro:Direct made up 2.2% of all sports retailer searches we track, and SportsShoes.com accounted for 1.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sports retailers, SportsShoes.com appeared in two of the four answers and Pro:Direct in none.
Who do people search for more?
Pro:Direct, about 14% more searches than SportsShoes.com
Who does AI mention more?
SportsShoes.com, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Pro:Direct in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
SportsShoes.com, the only one of the two named
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Top sports retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, SportsShoes.com was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Pro:Direct did not appear in any of the four 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.
Sports Direct4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Decathlon4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
JD Sports2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Foot Locker2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- SportsShoes.com2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Pro:Direct0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about sports retailers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy trainers and sportswear in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sports shops in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which sports shop in the UK has the best prices on running gear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sports shops”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sportswear”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is Pro:Direct or SportsShoes.com more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Pro:Direct and SportsShoes.com by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six sports retailers we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Pro:Direct, SportsShoes.com. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sports Direct | JD Sports | Decathlon | Foot Locker | Pro:Direct | SportsShoes.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.7% | 27.2% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 1.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.3% | 31% | 11.3% | 7.6% | 1.9% | 2% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.1% | 36.9% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 1.5% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 51.6% | 23.1% | 15.4% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.8% | 23.1% | 15.6% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.1% | 27.9% | 12.6% | 4.6% | 2.1% | 1.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 49.4% | 27% | 14.8% | 5.4% | 1.6% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 54.4% | 24.3% | 13.3% | 4.9% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.7% | 31.2% | 13.9% | 5.1% | 1.9% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 47.8% | 26.1% | 17.4% | 5.3% | 1.9% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.1% | 27.4% | 14.9% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.8% | 24.1% | 13.2% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 1.9% |
How has the Pro:Direct and SportsShoes.com comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 6 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: SportsShoes.com took it in November 2025, Pro:Direct took it in December 2025, SportsShoes.com took it in January 2026, Pro:Direct took it in February 2026, SportsShoes.com took it in April 2026, Pro:Direct took it in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pro:Direct’s share of searches among sports retailers in the United Kingdom moved from 2.4% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SportsShoes.com’s share of searches among sports retailers in the United Kingdom moved from 1.8% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 118K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom sports retailers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Pro:Direct gained share of searches among sports retailers in the United Kingdom, from 1.7% to 2.2%.
SportsShoes.com’s share of searches among sports retailers in the United Kingdom has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 1.2% to 1.9% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pro:Direct’s and SportsShoes.com’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.
Pro:Direct
1 branded search term
- pro direct
SportsShoes.com
2 branded search terms
- sportsshoes
- sportsshoes.com
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