Chairman's Message: Spring has Sprung

Spring is finally upon us; well… officially, March 19th. Our weather this season has been less than predictable; frigid one day and record highs the next. Here in the south, trees are beginning to bloom, allergies already flaring, and peaks of color springing forth everywhere. Spring has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I’m a diehard turkey hunter and for those of you who’ve also been bitten by this bug, there’s nothing like the excitement and hair-raising experience of hearing your first gobble at daylight. Spring has also been traditionally a time for getting things back in order. Whether we’re “Spring Cleaning”, working through your list of “Honey Do’s”, or just saying our goodbyes to Jack Frost; Spring brings forth new life and new beginnings.

For many of us, we’ll be closing out another quarter. Spring can be a time to reorganize our workspaces, our workflows, and perhaps an opportunity to assess our strategies; what went well and what still needs to be addressed. Some have said that Spring is the most important time of year for your business to grow. 

FEATURED ARTICLES

Do you believe demand for firearms, ammo and accessories will increase, decrease, or be flat for 2024? What are your assumptions driving this forecast? Do you know the impact on your profits if you are somewhat or very wrong?

Through an on-line webinar, NASGW, along with Growth Strategy Partners, will share with you their demand forecast for 2024, their assumptions driving this forecast, and how being somewhat incorrect, OK wrong, will cost you.

Click below to register for this webinar. This is free to NASGW members and $25 non-members. 

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers’ SCOPE programs provide important, useful and, above all, accurate firearm industry sales information that can help retailers maximize profits. The three programs — SCOPE PLX, SCOPE DLX and SCOPE CLX — are part of an industry-owned, distributor-led initiative to collect and analyze data that strengthens shooting sports businesses. 

“Distributors have taken the lead to create information that helps our industry grow,” says  NASGW President Kenyon Gleason. “Through SCOPE’s data tools, retailers can better rely on their distributor partners to understand market trends and what that means for their business.”

Shaping Business Through Data

One of the challenges facing the firearms industry today (and, perhaps all businesses these days) is consistent unpredictability.

Depending on your niche in the market, 2023 was most likely “flat” compared to the early years of the pandemic — but still elevated over previous demand surges.

Here in the early weeks of 2024, there is still an air of uncertainty — especially with the election looming and potential increasing instability in the Middle East, as well as the continuing war in Ukraine. As such, having access to and harnessing data has never been more important.

SCOPE™ 2023 Annual Report Out Now

The 2023 SCOPE Report is now available. The Overview Report is included in your NASGW membership and can be downloaded by just clicking the button below. The enhanced Detail Report goes deeper and provides an additional level of information for those looking to understand regional distribution and product segmentation. The Detail Report is available at no cost for current SCOPE subscribers, by logging into your SCOPE portal, and available for purchase by NASGW members who are not currently subscribed to SCOPE. 

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

Reps. & Senators Urge White House to End Firearms Export Delay

It’s no surprise the Biden administration will go to great lengths to punish and pulverize the lawful and Constitutionally-protected firearm industry, including the millions of Americans who rely on the industry to exercise their Second Amendment rights. After all, the president started his campaign for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by deeming the nearly 400,000 Americans who work in the firearm and ammunition business “the enemy.”

The latest White House ploy is not only impacting the firearm industry domestically, but in other countries that rely on America. The gimmicks from the Biden administration present new national security concerns as well. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) “paused” firearm exports to allow for a policy review to consider human rights, despite there already being strict end-to-end verifications and the ability for the State, Defense and Commerce Departments to halt an export license if an end-user cannot be certified. A “pause” was unnecessary and unjustified because BIS is continually assessing export licensing policies. It can walk and chew gum at the same time.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• New "Partner With a Payer" Video Showcases Industry-Agency Partnership
• NRA-ILA Files Friend of the Court Brief Urging the Supreme Court to Invalidate ATF’s Bump Stock Rule
• Judge Sides with Gun-Control Group Against Biden ‘Ghost Gun’ Rule
• US Economy Grew a Solid 3.2% in Fourth Quarter
• How Distributors Can Continue to Grow as They Face a Sluggish 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 28, 2024

NASGW Webinar: Guns, Ammo & Optics Demand in 2024

Online

May 7, 2024

NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit

Ponte Vedra, FL

May 14, 2024

Congressional Clays Competition

Glenn Dale, MD

May 17-19, 2024

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Dallas, TX

July 30, 2024

NSSF Annual Import/Export Conference

Washington, D.C.

October  15-18, 2024

NASGW Expo

Kansas City, MO