Shooting Industry December Issue Launches The 2016 New Business Year
(ArmsVault.com) – The 2016 New Business Year has nearly arrived, and Shooting Industry’s December issue presents a number of features to help dealers kick-start their early-year sales. Issue highlights include predictions for the 2016 New Business Year, an extended preview of the 2016 SHOT Show and the giant 2016 New Product Showcase.
In the December issue’s lead story, Publisher Russ Thurman examines how the industry conquered 2015 and how it’s preparing for 2016’s challenges.
“The industry has battled through the ‘new normal’ — white-hot to chilly sales, excessive inventory, ammunition shortages, race-to-the-bottom pricing and dumping and encouraging/not-so-encouraging rollercoaster sales,” Thurman reports. “Next up: Aggressive campaigns for gun control. Yes, 2016 will have its own unique set of challenges, many of them driven by those seeking to become the next president.”
In another New Business Year feature, dealers present their 2016 forecasts and outline their strategies for success on dealing with online retailers and the coming election year.
“We do two things to differentiate our store from others. One: We provide a lifetime warranty on all the new guns we stock,” said David Wilson, owner of Lebanon Gun Shop in Lebanon, Tenn. “The second thing we do is we offer a 30-day ‘No Regrets’ policy. The details on these programs are provided on our website. This creates a strong customer retention rate and the word of mouth advertisement generated by these programs is impressive.”
“We’re reaching out to new markets, hoping to build support for our sport and our business in entertainment categories,” said Jared Sloane, Shoot Smart strategic operations manager. “At the same time, we’re already working on adding value for our traditional customers through new services, such as a full-service gunsmith facility.”
The first part of the two-part 2016 New Product Showcase features products from over 55 manufacturers in every segment of the industry — from handguns and long guns to optics, knives, ammunition, lights, holsters and many other accessories. Readers of SI will be among the first to see some of the products included in this extended Showcase.
Additional issue highlights include a look at the youth movement in the shooting sports, what training can bring to a gun store, the importance of having a good reputation in the community and Colt’s bold commercial goals for 2016.
For more insights on the shooting and outdoor industry, visit www.shootingindustry.com — which has Digital Versions of every issue since 2008 and hundreds of online-only extras. Stay up-to-date by Liking Shooting Industry’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shootingindustry.