To help dealers get the most out of sales during the holiday and end-of-year buying season, experienced retail guru Doug VanderWoude shares tips in the Nov. issue of Shooting Industry. One tactic he suggests in “5 Ways To Boost Year-End Profits” is for sales staff to try and get products into the hands of customers, which will increase the odds of a sale.

“Instead of just buying the products with a click of the mouse, shoppers are in your store to touch and hold what they’re interested in — teach your sales staff to help them do just that,” he advises.

The three-part look at gunsmithing concludes in this issue. In the first two installments, Bryan Hendricks explained the strategic aspects of employing a gunsmith in a store. In this final segment, he answers the question that really matters: Is the ROI worth it? A roundtable of dealers provide their thoughts on how this service is used to complement the rest of their retail operations.

Another feature highlight includes Tim Barker’s selling high-end guns query: Are they worth the risk? He gathers insights from dealers who have found success in the niche segment.

The focus this time of the year might be on holiday sales, but predator hunting — depending on the locale — offers year-round opportunities. Retailers pinpoint what it takes to profit from this category in Carolee Anita Boyles’ “Make The Most Of Predator Hunting Sales.” And amidst the busyness of this season, there’s a strong case to be made to shift gears and add in a focus on generosity. SI Editor Jade Moldae explains further in Industry Link.

November’s Personal Defense Market column illustrates ways manufacturers support stores that offer “special prices for special customers” with a look at GLOCK’s Blue Label dealer program. The number of women hunters is steadily growing, and Ladies Hunting Camp is inspiring, motivating and empowering them in their journey. Ashley McGee highlights the organization’s efforts in the Arms & The Woman installment. Managing co-op dollars can be a challenge, and that’s the point. If it wasn’t worth it, it wouldn’t be hard. In Best Practices, Hank Yacek counsels “Don’t Cop Out From Co-Op Challenges” because ultimately, every dollar secured will contribute nearly one-to-one to bottom-line profits.

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