Gander Outdoors

[LxVE Bassin]

We all know after Gander Mountain went out of business it was revamped into Gander Outdoors. Gander reopened in my area at the top of the year and it never has a lot a customers at any given time. I was wondering if any Ganders in other areas are getting a lot of traffic. I’m not sure how long it will last if no one is ever there and it’s never advertised, seems like the ship might sink again.

[Brew City Bass]

The one by my house seems to have as many customers as the old store did. It helps it's the only outdoor store within 30 miles. 

I could imagine them closing down any store that starts losing money and leaving select stores open and doing most business online. 

[The Bassman]

Salesman in fishing tackle told me that the owner (Camping World) wants to open several new stores then start an advertising blitz.  Seems a little backwards. You'll notice that presently there are no ads to speak of.

[Smalls]

I think them keeping the name “Gander” is really gonna hurt em. The one local to me is always dead, too. 

 

I’ve... actually been pretty impressed so far. They have a lot of stuff that cabela’s, BP, and Dick’s/F&S don’t carry, and at real life prices. 

[RAMBLER]

I like the Gander Outdoors that opened in the old Gander store, in Ocala.  One of the clerks that works in the fishing dept. (knows his business) told me that Outdoors made all the tackle racks a foot and a half taller so they could put in more tackle.  Now, I can hide from my wife in there.  I think that they have a better selection of tackle than the small Bass Pro that went in in Gainesville.  They have a lot of Lunkerhunt lures, a brand that I was never familiar with before.

[NathanDLTH]

The couple here in Minnesota I’ve been to are doing okay, their prices are capitative and they have brands like 6th Sense which I can’t find locally. Prices are on par with other bigger and local stores. So far I like the products, I will say this though.

 

[FishTank]

The one that open here in Indy is nice and the staff seems great (better than when it was Gander Mountain).  They seem to carry a lot of stuff Dicks doesn't carry.  But each time I have been in there, the store is pretty much empty.  Also and this is odd to me, the lighting in the store is weird.  It's actually a dim blue color and it's sort of depressing and uninspiring.   It gives the whole place a sort old warehouse look.  The other thing is their selection is weird.  They may have a few fringe colors in baits but not the most popular ones. 

 

I think in time they will get it sorted out and turn it around.  Or at least I hope they do. 

[Stephen B]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

The one that open here in Indy is nice and the staff seems great (better than when it was Gander Mountain).  They seem to carry a lot of stuff Dicks doesn't carry.  But each time I have been in there, the store is pretty much empty.  Also and this is odd to me, the lighting in the store is weird.  It's actually a dim blue color and it's sort of depressing and uninspiring.   It gives the whole place a sort old warehouse look.  The other thing is their selection is weird.  They may have a few fringe colors in baits but not the most popular ones. 

 

I think in time they will get it sorted out and turn it around.  Or at least I hope they do. 

Marcus Lemonis is a genius, but I honestly don't think the large scale brick-and-mortar model works for the most part. The only true exception that I am aware of is Bass Pro/Cabelas which has expanded to acquiring a bunch of other companies. They have acquired so many boat manufacturers that they own the majority of the boat market. With the price of real estate being ridiculous, increasing wages, and the cost of running a physical store (utilities, insurance, rent, etc) more and more businesses will continue to close locations.

[rtwvumtneer6]

My local store (PA) opened in the spring. They did a soft open, and nobody knew about it.  The "grand opening" was also lackluster.  I will say, their pricing and selection have improved, but when I'm in there (about once a week) I'm constantly hounded to join the Good Sam Club, but never offered any help finding a product, and the registers are always vacant.  Personally, I do not like the approach.  I am guessing, that they have I incentives for selling memberships.

 

Anyway, traffic is slow.  Maybe 5-10 cars in the lot at any given time, and I'm sure a few are employees.  I do get coupons and promos in the mail, but I was also told those are exclusive to club members.  I should add that I did join, because I made a large purchase and it made sense.  It would be nice if the sales team recognized me as a member for as often as I see the same 4-5 people there every visit.  

 

This locations is visible from Route 30, a major highway.  However, when you exit I can't recall any direction to the store from the highway.  

 

Time will tell, but I have my doubts that they will do any better than the original Gander Mountain. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

My local store (PA) opened in the spring. They did a soft open, and nobody knew about it.  The "grand opening" was also lackluster.  I will say, their pricing and selection have improved, but when I'm in there (about once a week) I'm constantly hounded to join the Good Sam Club, but never offered any help finding a product, and the registers are always vacant.  Personally, I do not like the approach.  I am guessing, that they have I incentives for selling memberships.

 

Anyway, traffic is slow.  Maybe 5-10 cars in the lot at any given time, and I'm sure a few are employees.  I do get coupons and promos in the mail, but I was also told those are exclusive to club members.  I should add that I did join, because I made a large purchase and it made sense.  It would be nice if the sales team recognized me as a member for as often as I see the same 4-5 people there every visit.  

 

This locations is visible from Route 30, a major highway.  However, when you exit I can't recall any direction to the store from the highway.  

 

Time will tell, but I have my doubts that they will do any better than the original Gander Mountain. 

 

 

***Forgot to touch on the competition in the area.  We have 2 Dicks Sporting Goods within a 10 mile radius, but they only carry the basics, and entry level rods and reels.  We have 2 Field and Stream stores and a Cabela's, all of which are a 90+ minute drive.  Bass pro shops is 3+ hours.  

[LxVE Bassin]

29 minutes ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

My local store (PA) opened in the spring. They did a soft open, and nobody knew about it.  The "grand opening" was also lackluster.  I will say, their pricing and selection have improved, but when I'm in there (about once a week) I'm constantly hounded to join the Good Sam Club, but never offered any help finding a product, and the registers are always vacant.  Personally, I do not like the approach.  I am guessing, that they have I incentives for selling memberships.

 

Anyway, traffic is slow.  Maybe 5-10 cars in the lot at any given time, and I'm sure a few are employees.  I do get coupons and promos in the mail, but I was also told those are exclusive to club members.  I should add that I did join, because I made a large purchase and it made sense.  It would be nice if the sales team recognized me as a member for as often as I see the same 4-5 people there every visit.  

 

This locations is visible from Route 30, a major highway.  However, when you exit I can't recall any direction to the store from the highway.  

 

Time will tell, but I have my doubts that they will do any better than the original Gander Mountain. 

 

 

***Forgot to touch on the competition in the area.  We have 2 Dicks Sporting Goods within a 10 mile radius, but they only carry the basics, and entry level rods and reels.  We have 2 Field and Stream stores and a Cabela's, all of which are a 90+ minute drive.  Bass pro shops is 3+ hours.  

I bought the Good Sam membership and I won’t be renewing. The Good Sam membership was marketed as something that will save you up to 10% on purchases but in all actuality it takes $0.20 off of items on average. I don’t shop their enough to benefit from that membership so it’s a waste. They do have some decent prices and have many things that other stores don’t so I will continue to go as needed.

[rtwvumtneer6]

2 hours ago, LxVE Bassin said:

I bought the Good Sam membership and I won’t be renewing. The Good Sam membership was marketed as something that will save you up to 10% on purchases but in all actuality it takes $0.20 off of items on average. I don’t shop their enough to benefit from that membership so it’s a waste. They do have some decent prices and have many things that other stores don’t so I will continue to go as needed.

Yes..."up to 10%".  I bought a pack of worms yesterday marked at $2.99 (before tax) and with my membership it was $3.01 after tax.  But, I agree that I will not renew.  And unless I'm in a pinch, I will continue to buy the majority of my gear from TW.  In fact, I emailed them tonight at 7pm EST on a Sunday and had a response within a half hour.  That's who I'm spending my money with.