Wal-Mart Getting Out Of Fishing

[Holy Cow]

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who works for a large company which supplies Wal-Mart with fishing gear. This friend said the word is that Wal-Mart is planning on getting rid of it's terminal fishing tackle departments.

Since all of the major chain box stores, Bass Pro, Gander, Cabela's, Dick's, etc., are now providing customers with the same low prices, but in a more knowledgeable inviting atmosphere Wal-Mart is losing ground big time in that area.

I wonder what this will mean for the FLW events across the board? Do you think that Pepcid AC, Gain Detergent and Suave will want to stay onboard as sponsors if Wal-Mart drops its FLW sponsorship in a few years?

[hard to believe]

I find that hard to believe. Wal-Mart's are located in alot of communities where you can't find the large sporting good chains. And, locations where people don't want to go online to order either. They would have to be around for them. Just my opinion. The FLW has been a good marriage for both.

[second hand]

I just got off the phone with a friend that fishes for bass, he said that they were going to outlaw walleye fishing. Wonder what rapala and shimano are going to do now? LMAO

[samtrack]

Even in Mo. where BPS headquarted Wally World has huge fishing depts.
granted mostly bass but better prices and better locations.:bowdown:
Up north where we fish for critters with teeth could be different in some areas.
W Haas

[jt custom unlogged]

Tell me that walmart devils lake doesn't sell a lot of rapala's and terminal tackle or many other small town WM's by major fisheries. I personally like to save $2.00 a throw on the crank's that are available. If they get rid of fishing dept I personally won't be in one as much.
jon t

[Just Wait]

You'll see the fishing departments get smaller. The word is they're getting out of or downsizing their terminal fishing tackle selection. Just bare bones on that stuff.

[reelman1]

WM isn't getting out of the fishing industry, they are just cutting back inventory in fishing like they are doing in every other detartment. This doesn't mean that they are cutting SKU's back only the amount of each SKU that they keep in stock.

[Nope]

They're removing much of the terminal tackle they're currently carrying. They notified many of they're big suppliers to this fact. They will have fewer SKU's.

Gander Mountain, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Dick's, etc., have made it a less than attractive market for them. Those places offer low priced terminal tackle and a "professional" environment where anglers of all levels seem to feel welcome.

This doesn't mean Wal-Mart isn't going to continue sponsoring tournaments.

[DL Resident]

The Walmart in Devils Lake could easily cut half of it's inventory. They carry a lot of stuff that maybe the southern boys use, but they're certainly not used here. Their hunting and fishing stuff used to be pretty good and appropriate. But now they have this new lady store manager and they don't have squat in that department. Their ammo section used to be huge and sold out super fast. Now they carry a little of this and that, but nowhere near the selection they used too. Their old manager hunted and fished and knew what to stock. Now they carry camo patterns no one here uses and hunting things that you might use down south but not here up north. Thank God we still have some smaller stores like Gerrells, Home of Economy, and Ed's Bait Shop where the owners hunt and fish and know what to buy. But then I guess that's how the small guys compete with the big boys. Buy what the customers want and not what corporate says you should have.

[reelman1]

I guess anything is possible with WM but I don't see it happening nor have I heard anything about it and I deal with WM quite a bit. It may be that your source was confused between the issue I already brought up plus they are shrinking there fishing section for fall. Or I might be worng, only time will tell.

[reelman1]

I guess anything is possible with WM but I don't see it happening nor have I heard anything about it and I deal with WM quite a bit. It may be that your source was confused between the issue I already brought up plus they are shrinking there fishing section for fall. Or I might be worng, only time will tell.

[I know]

Walmart deals with one single distribution company for all its fishing tackle and they are located in the Chicago area. This company owns the "South Bend" trade name but darned if I can think of their name. I thought it was Faber Bros but I not real sure. With what selection the average Walmart fishing department carries now, if they down size any more they might just as well get out because I am not going into a walmart just for Red and white bobbers, split shot, Snoopy rods and reels, styrofoam coolers, and an assortmant of rapalas and rubber worms.

[I know]

Walmart deals with one single distribution company for all its fishing tackle and they are located in the Chicago area. This company owns the "South Bend" trade name but darned if I can think of their name. I thought it was Faber Bros but I not real sure. With what selection the average Walmart fishing department carries now, if they down size any more they might just as well get out because I am not going into a walmart just for Red and white bobbers, split shot, Snoopy rods and reels, styrofoam coolers, and an assortmant of rapalas and rubber worms.