Vista Outdoor criticizes competitors for keeping ammo prices low

By Christen Smith

Vista Outdoor executives expressed frustration this week after competitors failed to follow the company’s lead and increase prices on ammunition. (Photo: Vista Outdoor)
Vista Outdoor’s leadership criticized competitors this week for keeping ammunition prices low, despite rising commodities prices and the threat of tariffs looming.
Chief Executive Officer Chris Metz told investors Thursday he won’t lose market share over the shortsighted decisions of other ammo manufacturers, suggesting more flexibility on specific calibers in order to keep up. Vista raised prices on its product lines in January and April, confident other companies would follow.
“We think it’s crazy and, frankly, personally I think it’s reckless that given the pressures we’re seeing in commodities and potentially tariffs, that our competitors are not following suit,” Metz said Thursday. “One of our competitors just came out of bankruptcy and the other one has historically been disciplined, but has just recently taken some price decreases. I think it’s fool’s gold because it won’t lead to long term share gain.”
Vista reported sales of $529 million through its first quarter ending July 1. Softening demand in both shooting sports and outdoor products spurred the 7 percent decline over 2017. Metz said rimfire ammo sales, especially, struggle to rebound after years

Source: Guns.com