Nike, Polar, and adidas top ABI Research’s Sports & Fitness Wearable Wireless Device Competitive Assessment

Research News

New York, New York - 24 Sep 2012

​Nike, Polar, and adidas-Salomon are the three highest ranked vendors within ABI Research’s latest Competitive Assessment. In the report, vendors are judged by market shares as well as three specific vendor matrices focused on performance and strategy in the sports, fitness, and well being wearable wireless device market.

The three top vendors scored well across all categories but Nike and Polar stood out across both categories for their approach and performance within the market and they held first and second in both innovation and implementation respectively. However, adidas-Salomon trailed two other players in each category but finished third on the strength of its combined scores.

Nike and Polar have consistently shown commitment to innovation, expanding the potential reach of the market and through the design and functionality of their own offerings. In third place BodyMedia rated highly through its innovative approach to the market and through the breadth of the parameters its device measures.

Within the implementation categories Nike and Polar have been pioneers in the market and have shown a flexibility and approach that has delivered strong market share and notable partnerships. In third place Garmin has strong market share for its devices and its wireless connectivity protocol ANT which it has driven into the successful ANT+ partner alliance.

According to author of the Competitive Assessment, Jonathan Collins, “The market for wearable wireless devices is in transition moving from specialist proprietary offerings to more open standard connections and devices playing to a far broader consumer market. Established players face growing new competition from start-up’s as well as established players moving into the space from the consumer electronics market. Across the board device design and company strategy are more important than ever.”

These findings are part of ABI Research’s mHealth Research Service which includes Market Data, Insights, and Competitive Assessments.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.