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Impact Of COVID-19 On Ammunition, Events & More In June Shooting Industry
Compared to previous buying surges from established gun owners fearing anti-gun legislation, many of the buyers today are first-time gun owners motivated by self-protection fears in the wake of COVID-19. The June issue of Shooting Industry spotlights trends and provides insights to dealers on how to ride out these unprecedented times.
Before the coronavirus pandemic was a factor, the ammunition and reloading landscape shifted even more than usual in 2020 following Walmart’s departure from the ammunition market, and in preparation of the upcoming presidential election. In “What Customers Want In 2020 — Ammunition & Reloading Trends,” Shannon Farlow spoke with four retailers throughout the country to gauge trends in sales, calibers and customer behavior this year.
Taylor Eaddy, range and retail buyer for Triangle Shooting Academy in Raleigh, N.C., pointed out, “The only trend we’re seeing is an increase in sales. We only expect sales to rise throughout the year.”
When restrictions on social gatherings are lifted, dealers who seize the opportunity to reconnect with the community will reap the rewards. Considerations for hosting a successful range event, including ways to coordinate movie-themed shooting games and manufacturer days, to spreading the word on social media and ticketing tips, are delivered in “Range Games.”
Ashley McGee’s “Summer Fun” builds on the event theme with tips on how to create unique gatherings by tapping into the local community network and eliminate barriers to entry for guests by hosting family-friendly, non-firearm or parking-lot-style events. She lends, “Hosting an event is one of the simplest ways to build genuine connections with those in your community.”
In Industry News, Editor Jade Moldae sat down with NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi to discuss the organization’s successful policy interventions to keep gun stores open (and safe) during the novel coronavirus pandemic, and potential ramifications of entirely new groups of first-time gun owners joining our ranks. Bartozzi elaborated on NSSF’s online resources for dealers, which can also be pointed out to these new customers — especially if the dealer is not able to offer virtual training opportunities.
Additional highlights in the June issue include selling self-defense guns to women, “negative reverse” sales strategies to increase sales and how serving a niche within niche can make your store stand out.
The June issue of Shooting Industry can be accessed in its entirety online at www.shootingindustry.com/digital-version. Have a comment after reading the issue? Send the SI team an email at comments@shootingindustry.com.
CONTACT: JADE MOLDAE