Dick's Sporting Goods is a prominent retailer of sporting apparel and equipment based primarily in the eastern half of the United States. The company was founded in 1948 by Dick Stack, who was only 18 years old at the time. Stack's business initially sold only fishing supplies, but gradually expanded to sell general sporting goods. In the 1990s, under the stew. ardship of Stack's son Ed, the retailer began rapid growth in an effort to become a national sporting goods chain. Today, Dick's operates over 300 stores in 34 states and earns annual revenue of just under $4 billion. It also owns Golf Galaxy, a golf specialty retailer. The company planned to add 44 new stores in 2008 and has maintained a strong position during difficult economic conditions.