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Shooting Industry’s first edition of 2023 is packed with content primed to deliver early-year success for dealers, and is topped by the second installment of the 2023 New Product Showcase — featuring brand-new products from more than 60 brands.
In the new year, how will gun shops be impacted by inflation, do-it-yourselfers, manufacturers’ never-ending quest to increase handgun capacity and more? Tim Barker interviews a panel of dealers who answer these questions in “Trendspotting: What’s Going To Be Hot This Year?”
An annual staple of the January issue, the Southwick Associates team provides its industry outlook for 2023, suggesting: “Compared to 2022, headwinds that reduce demand will slightly dominate. Republicans gained control of the House, but barely. This will cause consumer concerns about future sales restrictions to ease somewhat — except in generally blue states and cities where pushes for greater restrictions on firearm sales and ownership will continue.”
FMG’s Digital Content and Marketing Director Ashley McGee advises, “No matter what marketing strategies you decide to focus on in 2023, the important thing is you make a plan and stick with it.” Finding the right channels to connect with buyers online will play a role in a store’s success this year, as she explains in “Market Smarter, Not Harder.”
In “7 Social Trends For 2023 You Should Care About”, Michelle Scheuermann points out: “What worked in January of 2022 may not work in January 2023. And those ‘old’ stories we tell ourselves to use X number of hashtags per post also aren’t working any longer.” She outlines seven trends (plus a bonus one!) that will impact business this year.
Additional features in this content-rich issue include how stores are overcoming the difficult retail environment, tips to win the customer service race, “outboxing” big-box stores, the latest trends in night sights, ways to delegate — or not, and the continued impact HAVA is making in veterans’ lives.
Massad Ayoob continues the conversation on how to explain deadly force to customers in the Personal Defense Market installment. He posits: “Let’s face it: We live in an armed society where anyone carrying a gun or even a knife has Ability and Opportunity surrounding them as they walk.” Nancy Keaton delivers ways to reach women through creativity and customer service in the Arms & The Woman column — it should come as no surprise following the “Golden Rule” is the number-one philosophy. And in Best Practices, Dale Krupinski shares four tips to prepare for an OSHA inspection.
Discover more at ShootingIndustry.com: Easy-to-navigate sections, new products, online exclusives and digital issues are just a click away. Sign up for Dealer Advantage emails to get the latest industry news and new product introductions every week. Join the conversation anytime: comments@shootingindustry.com or facebook.com/shootingindustry.
CONTACT: JADE MOLDAE