Reuters says that Gary Balter, an analyst for Credit Suisse, has informed Amazon.com investors that the company's Quidsi unit may be setting up a dedicated sporting goods retail business. Apparently Amazon and Quidsi have posted job openings online for positions in a new sports and activities business and an “Outdoor Sportsman destination.” Though Amazon doesn't separate its sports and outdoor products into their own category, they are believed to bring in about $1 billion in sales per year. The internet giant bought Quidsi in 2010, and it has opened several niche websites, including those that sell toys, pet supplies and cosmetics. Balter's note pointed out the lack of a dominant website selling sporting goods, as many brands avoid that route to preserve their image and their relationships with independent retailers. In Europe, Amazon has dedicated pages for sports products on its French and German websites.

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