UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF SHOOTING ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR BUSINESS

With a romantic vision of misty valleys, high birds and faithful dogs retrieving expertly dispatched quarry, many shooters eagerly anticipate the forthcoming pheasant season. For UK shooting retailers, this excitement presents an opportunity to boost sales by capitalising on the accessories market.

While firearms and ammunition naturally draw attention, accessories offer a more consistent source of revenue due to their higher margins and potential for repeat sales. In this article, we will delve into essential game season products to consider stocking and how they can enhance your business. From gun accessories to ear protection and cleaning equipment, there’s plenty of scope for increasing turnover and enhancing customer satisfaction.

GUARDIAN SHOOTING ACCESSORIES

HERITAGE MEETS VALUE

For over a decade, Guardian Shooting Accessories has been a reliable supplier of well-priced leather and canvas gun accessories to the UK shooting community. Manufactured to a high standard, Guardian products such as gun slips, cartridge bags and hard cases offer healthy margins and sensible retail prices, ensuring profitability for the retailers.

Guardian offers two distinctive styles: the Heritage and Canterbury collections. Both ranges feature a full complement of matching products, making it easier for retailers to display and promote grouped sales. The advantage of matching accessories is that savvy retailers can increase transaction values through intelligent merchandising, encouraging customers to purchase complete sets.

HERITAGE COLLECTION

For customers who favour a classic canvas-and-leather aesthetic, the Heritage collection is the perfect choice. It includes traditionally styled gun slips, cartridge bags, belts and travel bags. Highlights from this range include:

• Compact motor cases (single £147.99, double £206.99) with a felt lining for added protection.

• Fleece-lined shotgun slips at £66.99, perfect for transporting firearms safely.

• The Elite Cartridge Bag, featuring a leather flap and closure, priced at a modest £56.99.

These high-quality products offer excellent value for customers and reliable margins for retailers.

CANTERBURY COLLECTION

The Canterbury collection is an ideal alternative to more expensive leather goods from rival brands. Featuring leather slips, belts, bags and cases, this collection is designed with affordability and luxury in mind. Key items in the collection include:

• The Earls Case, felt-lined and retailing for £193.99.

• The Double-Strapped Loaders Case, retailing at £160.99.

• The Luxian Gun Slip, which features a full-length zip and a flap-and-buckle closure, priced at £116.99. Both collections offer tremendous value for customers and exceptional sales opportunities for retailers.

CALDWELL EAR PROTECTION

COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ALL SHOOTERS

Ear protection is an essential aspect of shooting safety, especially during game season. Offering a range of options at different price points is crucial, as preferences for ear protection vary greatly among consumers. Caldwell Shooting Accessories, a trusted brand from the USA, is a great option for retailers. It provides a comprehensive range of over-ear and in-ear products, designed to balance consumer value with retailer margins.

E-MAX RANGE

Caldwell’s E-Max range offers electronic hearing protection at competitive price points. These products protect users from harmful noise levels while allowing normal conversations and instructions to be heard clearly.

E-Max Low Profile Ear Defenders are one of the most popular options, with retail prices starting at £52.99. With noise reduction ratings (NRR) of 23dB and the option to connect to music players, these offer great functionality at an attractive price.

For those seeking more advanced features, the E-Max Pro BT offers Bluetooth connectivity and digital volume controls. Priced at £145.99, this model is powered by a lithium-ion battery for 16 hours of use, making it an excellent value alternative to higher-priced competitors.

IN-EAR OPTIONS

For customers who prefer in-ear protection, Caldwell’s Shadow and Power Cord earplugs are discreet yet powerful. These rechargeable units amplify ambient sound while reducing harmful noise levels, with NRR ratings between 22dB and 25dB. Prices range from £159.99 to £218.99 for the top-tier Shadow Pro, which includes advanced smartphone connectivity and controls. Stocking these versatile and premium ear protection options is an excellent way to meet the diverse preferences of your clientele.

GUN CLEANING ESSENTIALS

TIPTON’S TRUSTED TOOLS

Gun maintenance is an unavoidable task for every shooter and offering the right cleaning products can help increase both transaction values and customer loyalty. Tipton Gun Care is a fast-growing brand in the UK, known for its innovative and high-quality gun cleaning solutions. With a broad range of cleaning accessories, Tipton products provide everything needed to keep firearms in top condition.

GUN VISES

A gun vise is an essential tool for cleaning and maintaining firearms. Tipton offers various models, from the affordable Compact Range Vise (£39.99 RRP) to the premium Ultra Gun Vise (£391.99 RRP). These vises provide invaluable assistance for shooters during maintenance and stocking them can significantly enhance your customers’ shopping experience.

NOPE ROPES

One of Tipton’s most popular products, Nope Ropes, offers a quick, on-the-go solution for barrel cleaning. These pull-through ropes feature a brass-bristle system that effectively removes debris and residue, speeding up the cleaning process for shooters in the field.

BORE BRUSHES AND DELUXE RODS

Tipton’s bore brushes and mops, available in packs of three, are essential for every cleaning session. For serious shooters, Tipton’s Deluxe Cleaning Rods are amongst the best in the market. Made from carbon fibre, these rods are flexible, durable and resistant to debris buildup, offering a superior cleaning experience compared to traditional rods.

A STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

As we head into the pheasant season, there’s no better time for shooting retailers to capitalise on the accessory market. From high-quality gun slips and cartridge bags by Guardian to cutting-edge ear protection from Caldwell and essential gun maintenance tools by Tipton, offering a wide selection of accessories can significantly boost your business.

The key to success is to understand your customers’ needs, display complementary items and provide solutions that combine functionality with value. With the right stock, you can transform the excitement of game season into a season of profitable sales.