WHICH FISH CAMPAIGN HAS WON AN AWARD? See p32
Surveys show power and resilience of angling
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Rob Southwick: His survey shows US anglers are buying the same amount of tackle.
new economic study has concluded that outdoor recreation, natural resources and historic preservation in the US generates more than $1 trillion in economic activity and supports 9.4 million jobs a year. The report, conducted by Southwick Associates, also revealed that in 2006 the total contribution from outdoor sports – including fishing – in the US was nearly $730 billion, generating more than 6.4 million jobs and $99 billion in federal and state tax revenues. In the same year the combined effect of fishing, hunting and wildlife watching on National Forest Service land totaled $9.5 billion in retail sales, supported 189,400 jobs and provided $1.01 billion in annual federal tax revenues. The reports says that in 2006 there were 32.9 million anglers in the US who spent a total of $22.6 billion on fishing gear and trip- related sales and paid $4.1 billion in federal and state taxes. In all, the total economic contribution from recreational fishing was $61.4 billion. “Sportsmen put billions of dollars of their own money annually into conservation through the licences they buy and excise taxes they pay on fishing and hunting equipment,” said Lindsay Thomas, a former US Congressman and current Chairman of the
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “This combined with other taxes that are paid through activities associated with outdoor recreation and historic preservation total over $100 billion annually contributed to state and federal coffers.” Commissioned by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the study is being conducted as part of a larger ongoing effort by the NFWF to determine the economics associated with natural resource conservation.
• A report by Angler.Survey.com into the buying habits of US fishermen in 2011 compared to the previous year showed a slight increase in the numbers buying more tackle. Participants in the survey were asked if they were buying more or less tackle than in 2010. Those buying more rose 1.5% from 16.2% to 17.7%. Anglers who said they bought the same increased 4.4%, while those saying they had bought less dropped 3.6%. “While everyone in the fishing industry would love to see the ‘buying more’ responses make a significant jump, at least a so-called double-dip recession – at least where this market is concerned – does not appear to be on its way,” said Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates, which conducts the survey. “Fishermen are pretty much buying the same amount of gear.”
Cabela’s reports ‘strong’ tackle sales
Cabela’s Chief Executive Tommy Millner: planning expansion.
Cabela’s has reported a 65% rise in profits following ‘strong’ sales of fishing gear. In its Q3 report, the retail giant, which operates 34 stores in the US and Canada and also has successful catalogue and online businesses, revealed that its smaller size ‘next generation stores’ it has been opening since 2009 are performing more than 30% better than its traditional tourist destination outlets. As a result, its Chief Executive, Tommy Millner, said Cabela’s would be accelerating the introduction of the new-look stores and planned to open five more next year in the US and Canada. He also revealed that the recent opening of the company’s third outlet in Canada – at Edmonton, Alberta – has ‘exceeded expectations’. The picture was not quite as buoyant at its rival, Big 5 Sporting Goods, which saw
CATALOGUES FROM SHIMANO NORMARK UK
Shimano Normark UK – the new joint venture between Shimano and Rapala – has launched two brand new trade catalogues for retailers. It has produced its first-ever catalogue for Shimano UK and one for Advanced Carp Equipment (ACE) – the UK carp brand bought by Rapala-owned Dynamite Baits last year. Both brands are distributed by Shimano Normark in the UK. The Shimano UK Trade Catalogue 2011/12 features more than 1,000 UK-specific products over 188-pages and is a result of extensive research via customer surveys to ensure the company provides its retailers with the level of service they require. Marketing Manager Steve Cole said: “The publication features tackle suited to the UK market and presented in the way retailers want with product pictures, key selling points and essential technical details. “The codes, trade prices and RRPs are printed under every product, making ordering simpler than ever before,” added Steve. The 36-page ACE Carp Trade Catalogue is part of an extensive advertising and marketing campaign that is being spearheaded by its new signings, Terry Hearn and Ian MacMillan. Cole said that the catalogue has been designed to make ordering products from its range of terminal tackle and accessories as ‘simple’ as possible. He also announced that following feedback from customers, ACE has reduced the sizes of all its trade packs so that shops do not have to order in such large quantities. All products in the catalogue – except for lead – are now available in packs of six or less.
its same-store sales decrease by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2011. It reported net sales of $234.7 million, compared to $231.8m in the same period last year. Its Chairman, President and Chief Executive, Steven G. Miller, said the results reflect continued weakness in the consumer environment which contributed to a decrease in customer traffic. However he added: “After a soft start to the quarter that we believe was largely attributable to unfavourable weather conditions in many of our markets, sales trends improved during August and September. “While we are pleased to report that positive sales trends have continued into the fourth quarter, we should note that consumer spending remains highly unpredictable.” Big 5 opened three new stores in Q3 to take its total to 398 across North America. December 2011 Angling International
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