Consumer spending in both the sportfishing tackle market and the hunting & shooting equipment market grew in 2018, with sportfishing tackle posting a 12% gain and hunting & shooting equipment posting an 11% gain over 2017.  Although fishing participation was relatively flat in 2018, consumers spent more on fishing equipment overall.  Increases in the hunting & shooting market are attributed to consumers spending more on their purchases, rather than actual unit increases.  While total units for the hunting & shooting market were down seven percent, primarily driven by decreases in ammunition, black powder, and reloading equipment, the average overall sale increased 20% in 2018 versus the prior year.

The two reports: 2018 Retail Market Size Report – Fishing Equipment, and the 2018 Retail Market Size Report – Hunting & Shooting Equipment provide more detailed retail dollar and unit estimates for a variety of sportfishing, and hunting & shooting equipment products.  For more information on these reports, contact Nancy Bacon at Nancy@southwickassociates.com.