08/17/2025
Sports books, in the context of literature, are publications dedicated to sports-related topics such as player biographies, coaching strategies, training techniques, historical events, and analyses of games or competitions. While many consumers now purchase such books online or through specialized stores, large retail chains have historically played an important role in making these titles accessible to a wider audience. Kmart, a prominent retail chain in the United States and abroad, has often included sports-related books as part of its broader general merchandise offering.
Kmart has traditionally positioned itself as a one-stop shopping destination, offering everything from household goods and clothing to electronics and seasonal products. Its book section has typically featured a mix of popular fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, and niche-interest titles, including sports books. While Kmart has never been known as a primary bookstore, its strategic selection of titles aims to appeal to casual readers and impulse buyers rather than specialized collectors.
Within Kmart’s book section, sports books have often been grouped with other non-fiction categories such as lifestyle and hobbies. Examples of sports book genres commonly stocked include:
The sports books sold at Kmart primarily cater to casual readers, parents purchasing for children, and gift shoppers. Unlike specialized bookstores, where customers often enter with specific titles in mind, Kmart’s sales of sports books are largely driven by in-store browsing and impulse purchases. Seasonal sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or the Summer Olympics, can influence the prominence of sports book displays in Kmart stores.
With the retail market shifting towards online platforms and Kmart’s overall decline in store numbers, the breadth of its book selection, including sports titles, has diminished. In earlier years, Kmart locations might have stocked several shelves of assorted titles, but in recent times, available space has often been reduced, and selections have been limited to bestsellers and a few seasonal releases. Additionally, Kmart’s online store now serves as a supplementary avenue for customers seeking a wider range of sports books.
Sports books at Kmart have historically served as an accessible option for readers interested in athletic biographies, training guides, and inspirational stories. While the selection has never been as comprehensive as that of dedicated bookstores, Kmart’s offering has fulfilled the needs of casual buyers and gift shoppers, adapting to seasonal demand and broader retail trends.