Hunting and Shooting Sports Market Actually Grew in 2018

By AmmoLand Editor Duncan Johnson

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. —-(Ammoland.com)- Spending in the overall hunting and shooting sports market grew 11% in 2018, according to a new market size report now available from Southwick Associates. Despite well-publicized decreases in the firearm and ammunition categories, 2018 sales for accessories and support equipment grew, driving the overall market to a total of $21.3 billion in retail sales.

“Much of the sales increases can be attributed to consumers high-grading their purchases versus actual unit increases,” reports Nancy Bacon, Vice President at Southwick Associates. “For the categories tracked, the average sale increased 20% in 2018 versus the previous year. Total units were down seven percent, driven primarily by decreases in the ammunition, blackpowder and reloading categories.”

Despite softness in the overall firearms categories led by declines in modern sporting rifles, total dollar sales of traditional rifles and shotguns each increased despite slight drops in total units sold. The largest growth rates were seen in the firearm parts, optics, shooting accessories and hunting equipment categories, each with double-digit increases as measured in retail dollars. Other categories tracked include ammunition, apparel, reloading, blackpowder, storage and more, with details for over 100 …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand