FERNANDINA BEACH, FL. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Given the many factors that encourage and inhibit growth, Southwick Associates expects 2023’s sales to near 2017 levels.
Several factors are positioned to hold back 2023 sales.
First, a better balance in Congress will reduce consumer concerns about future sales restrictions. Simultaneously, consumers are gradually becoming aware of increased firearm and ammunition availability at retail which will ease ongoing scarcity-based demand. Discounting trends that began to show in 2022 will continue in 2023, likely dropping average revenue per sale. So far, inflation and increasing interest rates have not had notable impacts on sales.
Several conditions will help drive 2023 sales. Demand for greater firearms and ammunition sales in some states will continue to fuel sales. In addition, even with demand dropping below 2020-2022 levels, the recent ‘Black Friday’ NICS check data shows consumer interest remains high. Other factors fueling 2023 firearm sales are supply concerns associated with ongoing global military concerns plus personal safety concerns with rising crime and commonly associated with recessions if one emerges.
Considering all these factors combined – and barring any unforeseen events – we expect 2023’s retail firearms market to ease back to 2017 levels. 2017’s sales were above 2019’s volumes and one of the trade’s best years. Ammunition demand will also decline slightly, but likely not as much as firearm sales. Accessories sales should also do well as long as any potential recession remains mild. Manufacturers and distributors will likely not do as well as increasing retailer inventories will reduce replenishment orders in 2023.
“The factors driving sales are certainly more numerous and complex than we’ve seen before,” said Nancy Bacon, Vice President at Southwick Associates. “However, looking at past years, current conditions remain reasonable for the 2023 firearms and accessories market. Different areas of the trade will do better than others, however, given inventory build-ups and interest rate impacts.”
To learn more, an in-depth review of 2022 plus details regarding Southwick Associates’ 2023 expectations will be featured in the January issue of Shooting Industry. Southwick Associates is also available to meet with companies needing custom, confidential consumer and trend insights at the 2023 SHOT Show.
About Southwick Associates
Southwick Associates is a market research and economics firm specializing in the hunting, shooting, sportfishing, and outdoor recreation markets. For more than 30 years, Southwick Associates has established a proven reputation for delivering comprehensive insights and statistics assisting business and strategic decisions across the entire outdoor industry, from government agencies, industry associations and non-profit organizations, to affiliated businesses and manufacturers. Aside from custom market research, Southwick Associates also provides syndicated participation, media consumption and equipment purchase tracking studies utilizing their proprietary consumer sportsmen panels. Visit www.southwickassociates.com for more information.
Has nothing to do with the BS reasons above. There will be a MASSIVE drop in sales as soon as the new ‘Frames and receivers’ and Form 4473 go into effect.
Some people don’t need to buy guns. They’ve stacked them away like cord wood and They have all they can ever use. Though they would buy them and want to buy them why should they lower themselves to put up with this unconstitutional .gov tracking bullshit? If I never filled out another 4473 my extended downstream family has guns for multiple lifetimes. I like gun stores. I have been buying guns for 45 years. I love buying guns. HOWEVER, at a certain point dealing with all the unconstitutional regulations becomes silly, offensive and now, moving forward, unwise. In crapistan, after… Read more »
The next thing the Mother Humper’s will do is restrict Ammunition sales! They’re doing it in Californistan. So what makes anyone think that Oatmeal for brains won’t institute it nationwide?!
Defy, defy, defy, defy.
f ‘ em!
Decades back, comedian Pat Paulson had a gag campaign for president. One of his platform’s positions was on firearms. He said everyone should have a gun, then added that he wanted all the ammo.
China will send the gangs all they need.
The more the Blue states and feds push for gun control/AWB – the more guns will be sold. WA is looking to follow OR and will have a run on their gun stores very soon also. 2023 is looking to be a very good year for gun sales and its still Dec 2022.
Wrong, if I want to purchase another gun, I damn sure will and NOTHING is going to Stop me!!!
I’ll keep buying from AMERICANS but I may stop doing business with gun stores
And…..we’ve got enough guns, hoard ammo for the TRE ahead.