Friday, December 19, 2008
Gear for the holidays
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.
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Heading toward the checkout line at Sportsman's Warehouse early Wednesday afternoon, Susie Crowder had an armful of goodies and a satisfied smile on her face.
She had just taken care of gifts for three loved ones, and knew she'd scored with all three. Unlike many who shop for gear-obsessed outdoors junkies, she didn't even need detailed hints.
"I just pay attention," she said.
Some headlines might hint that the only thing in the aisles of retail stores this holiday season is tumbleweed. But while shoppers are certainly spending more carefully in the tough economic climate, stores that cater to outdoors enthusiasts have been selling goods.
And, just like every holiday season, they've all been facing the common challenge of helping shoppers find appropriate gifts for sportsmen who have very particular taste.
At the new Gander Mountain outdoor superstore in Roanoke County, business has been solid this holiday season -- the store's first -- according to operations manager Les Meadows.
"But you can tell that people are being more frugal," said Meadows, noting many of the best-selling items are those being offered at discounts.
New store manager Randy Bronson agreed.
"The biggest thing you're seeing is people looking for value," Bronson said.
Meadows said Gander Mountain's house brand of fleece gear, which is discounted by at least 25 percent, has been selling well. North Face goose down-stuffed jackets have also been hot, albeit not necessarily with the outdoors set.
"I can't keep them in stock," Meadows said. "I think it's a big thing with teenagers."
Meadows said motion-triggered cameras, which hunters set out to get pictures of game, have been popular gift items this season. Knives and multi-tools also have been big.
He has been surprised at the demand for airsoft guns modeled after well known historic firearms. The Guns of History, which fire lightweight plastic BBs, cost about $200.
"They have been really hot," he said.
At Sportsman's Warehouse, fishing department manager Hawk Hillberry said fly fishing gear is getting a lot of attention this season.
"Fly fishing has been huge," Hillberry said. "A lot of ladies come in and say, 'My husband ties, flies, what should I get him?"
In fact, "What should I get him/her?" is a common question at outdoors stores.
Hillberry, Meadows and other associates all said they answer with a set of questions of their own.
What are they fishing or hunting for? Where do they go? When do they go?
That can help narrow down the choices.
Some shoppers don't take chances.
Lori Schoonover is one of them.
"I've tried it," said Schoonover, who lives in Catawba and was shopping at Sportsman's Warehouse for her husband, Dennis. "It really doesn't work out."
Schoonover said her husband is an avid reloader. She carried a list of specific items he uses in his hobby.
At Gander Mountain, Brandy Foster carried a detailed list while shopping for camping and backpacking gear for her brother.
"He wants a bunch of lightweight gear," she said.
When there's not a list, gift cards remain a practical choice.
It's what Jim Lester got for his visiting son, Trey, an avid duck hunter who lives in Myrtle Beach. Trey was trying out some high-end duck calls at Sportsman's Warehouse.
"You've got to come in and blow them," Lester said. "Would he go out and spend $100 on a duck call on his own? Probably not.
"That's why I got him a gift card."
At the store's gun counter, Tim Divers said he sees another pattern among shoppers who don't want to gamble on gifts.
"A lot of times a husband and wife will come in together, he shows her what he wants, she writes it down and she comes back later and buys it," Divers said, laughing.
At Cardinal Bicycle, owner Scott Leweke said he also has been seeing lots of couples. But in many cases they're both getting bikes.
"It's their Christmas present to each other," he said.
One thing Leweke doesn't see as often as he once did is parents shopping for kids bikes for Christmas.
He still sells some youth bikes this time of year, but he said many parents are buying bikes during the warmer months when the kids will actually ride them.
Leweke said cycling-related accessories have been popular this year.
That includes clothing and "a lot of little odds and ends to add to bikes," he said.
Speed and distance computers, and gear racks and bags, have been selling well. With a growing number of riders using the region's greenways, handlebar-mounted warning bells are also popular stocking-stuffers.
Generally, Leweke said, business has been solid.
"I wouldn't say it's been our best Christmas season," Leweke said. "But it hasn't been our worst."
