New "upscale" Wal-Mart's won't carry guns / ammo

[PiedmontPete]

I caught this on Clark Howard's radio program today so I don't have a direct link. The following is the article he was discussing:

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/bus/stories/DN-walmartlab_22bus.ART.State.Edition2.913b9b8.html

The Cliff's Notes synopsis would be that WM has a number of stores targeting wealthier clientele, including the recently opened super-fancy Plano store. All of these upscale stores do not carry guns or ammo.
[blockquote]
The new store is just as notable for what's missing. The store won't sell guns. It has far less space devoted to lawn and garden, fishing, camping and automotive products.
[/blockquote]

So, the stores devoted to "upscale" consumers will be getting rid of or reducing everything I go to WM for and adding more of the crap I have no interest in. I guess that makes me a downscale consumer.

[Lanse couche couche]

Hopefully stuff like this will at least create more opportunities for the traditional Mom and Pop sporting goods stores to make a comeback.

Judging by the price of most hunting land, guided hunts, etc. there are still a lot of rich folks involved in hunting. I wonder where they are getting their guns and gear?

[BenGarrett]

That isn't true. I don't necessarily like defending Wal-Mart, but whether or not they carry guns in the future has nothing to do with the wealth of their clientele.

In my hometown, the median income is just under $20,000 and our Wal-Mart removed the guns from their shelves three weeks ago. The Wal-Mart in the neighboring county, with a median income similar to ours, also removed guns from their shelves.

Most Wal-Marts will be phasing out firearms in the coming months. I can't remember the exact number that WILL continue to carry guns, but it's something like 150 nationwide, and those will be the larger stores, primarily.

Their reasoning that they're giving is that the BATF paperwork and regulations has become too bothersome to fool with it.

[PiedmontPete]

I'm just repeating the facts as they were stated in the Clark Howard piece. Thanks for the additional information and perspective Ben.

[Aught Six]

Thats Enough of That
LMAO, thanks kevin--I needed that.

I'm not sure what to think of this. My first impression is that Wal-Mart is simply trying to expand its consumer goods market share by adding high-dollar items to certain stores, in addition to all of the discount goods they already sell. Why remain content with the low end merchandise when you can expand into the entire market?

The point about the problems associated with firearms sales is a good one, as well, but I doubt Wal-Mart would pull guns from every store. They make a ton of money on ammo sales in areas with a lot of shooters and hunters.

[PiedmontPete]

You'll get no argument from me with Kevin's statement. I'll add that the "upscale" clientele pays $500 for a glorified oil change and a loaner Lexus at the dealer instead of buying a 5-gal jug of Mobil 1 at WM.


Regarding Aught Six's statement, Clark Howard mentioned that WM is the largest retail sellerof guns and ammunition in the world.

[North Texan]

I shall refer to it as a downscale K-Mart. Take away some of the aura they are trying to create.

I don't think, however, Wal-Mart will exit the gun business. At some of the small town Wal-Marts I go to, sporting goods is one of the biggest earners, especially from September through December. And since Wal-Mart has started giving money to local causes, as of January 1, I have ended my 3 year boycott of Wal-Mart.

[Lanse couche couche]

I would think that the hassles of BATF paperwork would differ by state. In Illinios, for example, a Firearm owners I.d. card is required for gun purchases and ammo sales, and the process can be complex. On the other hand, here in Ohio, one can buy an assault rifle (my definition) in 15 minutes.

[BenGarrett]

Sorry, Pete, I wasn't implying that you were wrong. I was implying that the show host was wrong.

ORIGINAL: North Texan

I don't think, however, Wal-Mart will exit the gun business.Â* At some of the small town Wal-Marts I go to, sporting goods is one of the biggest earners, especially from September through December.Â* And since Wal-Mart has started giving money to local causes, as of January 1, I have ended my 3 year boycott of Wal-Mart.

It's happening as we speak. I don't understand it myself, but it is happening.

[RedAllison]

All I can say is that if this is true THANK GOD Wallyworld is finally getting out of a business they have NO business in in the first place. You people think that ALOT of money is made in outdoor sporting goods, it ISN'T. The average return is DEPLORABLE and guns are certainly a headache and only there out of necessity (traffic generators). You can also bet your rearend that the number crunchers at Wallyworld have figured out other merchandise that returns MUCH MOREprofit to replace the square footage now occupied by sporting goods!And YES the ATF is becoming outright CRIMINAL in their pursuit of dealers and their "spot checks" are cripling the industry. Rest assured they (the anti-gunners) have figured out that they can't legally ban firearms. So the next best way is to make it nearly impossible to find dealers. The Clintoon administration took away over 250K, yes 250,000,000 FFLs in their 8 years. I am sure some of them deserved to have their licenses yanked but you can't convince me THAT many did!!!

GOOD RIDDANCE too Wallyworld, their own "PCness" will be the demise. All they carry is crap/cheap guns for the most part anyway. They have just about single handidly bankrupted Remington and is responsible for that companies serious quality decline over the last 10-15 years. It's just rediculous when some moron comes into the shop I work for and gets our "expertise" and demo of the guns for them. Then they either drive too Wallyworld, BPS or go on-line to get the guns at prices that are equal too or in many cases, below what I can get it from a distributor for.

EVERYONE wants you to make money... but they want you to make it on someone else!!!
RA