Wal-Mart to cut, reduce fishing departments

Written by Craig Nyhus

Monday, 28 April 2008

Wal-Mart will cut bait this fall at 200 of its stores, eliminating the sale of fishing tackle, fishing industry representatives tell the Lone Star Outdoor News. In addition, the retail giant will reduce the space allotted to fishing tackle by half at 1,700 stores. Wal-Mart’s new head of sporting goods, Scott Biddulph, disclosed the changes in recent meetings with representatives of the fishing industry. According to its Web site, Wal-Mart has 3,420 retail locations in the U.S. Five industry representatives confirmed the announcements to LSON. “It looks like they are going to more of a seasonal thing,” said one industry representative, who asked not to be named since Wal-Mart has yet to publicly confirm the changes. “They sell most of their tackle from March through Labor Day. Our information is that the changes will be mostly in urban and suburban areas and the rural stores — the most important to us — will continue throughout the year. “But in the short-term, it may present some inventory issues.” An out-of-state Wal-mart store manager was not yet aware of the cuts. “But it’s probably a good decision for the company,” he said. “From an angler’s standpoint, I wish it was there always. But from a business standpoint, it’s seasonal.” The superstore manager said he currently has 30 feet of space devoted to fishing tackle. The manager expected sales of fishing and hunting equipment to continue. “Wal-Mart wouldn’t get rid of anything that’s making money,” he said. Fishermen who shop at Wal-Mart regularly said they would adjust to the change. “They don’t have a huge selection,” said Darren Ash of McKinney. “But it’s the convenience of them being so close, and the price. I have noticed they don’t have as many plastics as before, though.” Ash said he wouldn’t check different Wal-Marts if the store closest to him cuts the department. “I would probably go to Sports Authority or Academy, and if they don’t have what I want, to Bass Pro (Shops).” Wal-Mart did not return several phone calls from LSON seeking a response to the reports. But should the cuts be as dramatic as expected, other retailers are ready to pick up the slack. One big box retailer announced plans to expand its product line. “Academy Sports and Outdoors is committed to our field and stream side of the stores,“ said Scott Frnka, vice president of field and stream. “We have just brought out a line of our popular Magellan clothing in women’s cuts and styles. We are the title sponsor for the Women’s Bassmaster tour and 12 of the top women anglers in the world. “We will continue growing our product lines in field and stream so our customers will always find what they need and in season.” Independent retailers don’t foresee much change. Rocky Guerra, owner of Roy’s Bait and Tackle in Corpus Christi said he doesn’t expect a big run of people. “Our focus has to be service, knowledge, and assortment. But when it comes to competing with them on price, we can’t do it.” Guerra said Wal-Mart’s cutbacks could cause manufacturers and distributors to suffer. “They are scrambling,” he said. “The manufacturer reps have told me their orders already have been affected.” A manufacturer’s representative confirmed his company already has made budget cuts. “It really hurt our sales forecast for the year,” the representative said. But industry reps were not all gloom and doom. “Wal-Mart is going to stay in fishing, and we think that’s great,” a representative said. “With the huge numbers of people that go in there, it’s a great place to raise awareness about fishing. “I’m glad they are in the industry, it’s the reason I still shop there. I won’t go into a Target since it dropped fishing sales.”

Last Updated ( Monday, 28 April 2008 )

 

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