Amazon Launches Site to Sell Sporting Goods

Amazon.com Inc. launched a sporting goods store on its Web site to sell the products of about 95 companies, including Foot Locker Inc.

Amazon, the world’s biggest Internet retailer, said it would offer equipment, clothing and other items for more than 50 sports. The online retailer will receive a commission for operating the store and processing orders for its partners, which will provide inventory and handle shipping and customer service.

Forrester Research Inc. projects that industrywide online sales of sporting goods will increase to $6.3 billion in five years from $1.7 billion this year.

Amazon has increasingly been teaming with traditional and Web retailers. Last year the company opened an apparel and shoe store, signing up partners that included Gap Inc.