Dick's House of Sport

babs
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by babs »

storewanderer wrote: April 11th, 2021, 12:07 pm
babs wrote: April 11th, 2021, 10:24 am I don't think firearms was ever a big seller at Dicks. If it was, they wouldn't have gotten rid of it so easily. Back when Dick's has gun counters, it was often unstaffed, or had little traffic. Now compare that to Cabela's, the firearms part of the store is always the packed. While Dick's took a PR hit that may have impacted other areas of their business, it wasn't a major part of their business. As someone else mentioned, Dick's focus is on footwear, apparel, team sports, golf and fitness. They're.not REI and they're not Cabela's/Bass Pro. They're a step down from both.
I don't have enough experience with Dick's to know how well the category performed/performs.

I was in a Dick's Field & Stream in Medford and it still has a large gun/ammo section. Really it seemed to be one of the highlights of the store. And this is where I have a real problem with Dick's. The CEO goes and makes the comments he made about guns in 2019, drops them in a few stores in 2019 when it was popular from a PR standpoint to do so, supposedly dropped guns at another batch of stores in 2020, yet as we sit here today almost 2 years later in 2021, continues to sell them in hundreds of stores. If it was so personal, why are they still selling any guns? If they are such a great retailer of shoes and running shorts that they need more space for those categories, I would think they would have gotten all of the gun departments closed ASAP in 2019 so they could allocate more space to all those shoes and running shorts that are flying off the shelves. I think it was all a PR ploy and there are a number of folks out there who think Dick's stopped selling guns and is some sort of great company for doing so when in reality they are still one of the largest retailers of guns in the US.

I don't care so much that they ended the sale of guns in a few stores. I am happy for the independent businesses that gained share as a result of the move. I just don't like how they went about it.

Dick's focusing on footwear (departments are self serve so little labor), apparel, team sports - all higher margin categories. Golf and fitness - maybe not quite as high margin, depending on the item, and higher labor.

Sounds sort of like what the department stores did over the years which at the time the financial folks said was great as they were focusing on higher margin categories, but ultimately drove them into irrelevance. Picked and chose categories, got rid of more and more products, focusing on "higher margin" soft type items.

Maybe this will work for Dick's. Vendors seem to be working with Dick's to favor it over other retailers, like Nike, who ended so many wholesale accounts and as a result will push more and more customers to Dick's.
Field and Stream was a different beast. For that concept to be competitive, they had to carry firearms. Getting out of firearms meant the end of Field and Steam.

The reason big brands live Dick's is because Dick's let's them fund and build brand shops where they can control their positioning. That's why Nike loves working with them. Same with adidas and Under Armour. Nothing a bug brand hates more than an in-store presentation that is nothing more than putting your stuff on a generic rack. You lose all the work you put into making your brand stand out. Dick's was one of the pioneers in this and is part of the reason they grew so big and survived
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by storewanderer »

babs wrote: April 11th, 2021, 4:01 pm Field and Stream was a different beast. For that concept to be competitive, they had to carry firearms. Getting out of firearms meant the end of Field and Steam.

The reason big brands live Dick's is because Dick's let's them fund and build brand shops where they can control their positioning. That's why Nike loves working with them. Same with adidas and Under Armour. Nothing a bug brand hates more than an in-store presentation that is nothing more than putting your stuff on a generic rack. You lose all the work you put into making your brand stand out. Dick's was one of the pioneers in this and is part of the reason they grew so big and survived
Agree on the Field and Stream concept... we will see what happens with it. They just closed one in OH last week and previously sold some to Sportsman's Warehouse. So basically they can an entire concept because they want to exit the sale of firearms. Hence these new concepts.

The real issue I see with these brands is the more they go direct to consumer, why buy from the retailer? Why not buy directly from the brand itself? Sometimes (often times) you can still get a better deal from the retailer but over time I wonder if that will remain the case.
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by BillyGr »

storewanderer wrote: April 11th, 2021, 10:44 pm
babs wrote: April 11th, 2021, 4:01 pm Field and Stream was a different beast. For that concept to be competitive, they had to carry firearms. Getting out of firearms meant the end of Field and Steam.

The reason big brands live Dick's is because Dick's let's them fund and build brand shops where they can control their positioning. That's why Nike loves working with them. Same with adidas and Under Armour. Nothing a bug brand hates more than an in-store presentation that is nothing more than putting your stuff on a generic rack. You lose all the work you put into making your brand stand out. Dick's was one of the pioneers in this and is part of the reason they grew so big and survived
Agree on the Field and Stream concept... we will see what happens with it. They just closed one in OH last week and previously sold some to Sportsman's Warehouse. So basically they can an entire concept because they want to exit the sale of firearms. Hence these new concepts.

The real issue I see with these brands is the more they go direct to consumer, why buy from the retailer? Why not buy directly from the brand itself? Sometimes (often times) you can still get a better deal from the retailer but over time I wonder if that will remain the case.
Sometimes it may just be convenience - for instance, I remember a number of years ago with a group, we were going to bike a rail trail. One of the parents had to stop by a Dick's near there as they couldn't find a bike helmet at home - a case like that ordering it wouldn't help much when you need it that day.

Also on certain things (like the brands here that have a lot of products in the footwear line), there are still people who prefer to be able to see and try them before buying when things don't always fit the same even if listed as the same size, so that is another benefit over ordering something, then having to return it if it doesn't fit well.
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by Brian Lutz »

I haven't found a reason to spend much time or money there, but every time I drive by the Cabela's near here I know the place is packed. That said, it is a smaller location (there are a couple of the larger destination stores in the Tacoma and Olympia area, one Bass Pro Shops and one Cabela's) but still seems to do plenty of business. Dick's moved into this area by taking over a number of former Sports Authority locations when they went out of business, but I don't think they would have the room for a destination store like this in a lot of places, unless they wanted to start from an (increasingly difficult to find and expensive) undeveloped plot.

I've also been to the Scheel's store in Sandy UT, and that place is just ridiculous in size and scope. Their prices seemed rather so-so (I wasn't looking for anything in particular when I was there though) but they seem to be able to draw quite the crowd. They also seem rather unapologetic about their political beliefs, with a large bronze statue of Ronald Reagan near the store entrance. I'm sure that alone turns away some customers, but they don't seem to be in the habit of building many stores in blue states anyway.) .
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by storewanderer »

Brian Lutz wrote: April 12th, 2021, 3:20 pm I haven't found a reason to spend much time or money there, but every time I drive by the Cabela's near here I know the place is packed. That said, it is a smaller location (there are a couple of the larger destination stores in the Tacoma and Olympia area, one Bass Pro Shops and one Cabela's) but still seems to do plenty of business. Dick's moved into this area by taking over a number of former Sports Authority locations when they went out of business, but I don't think they would have the room for a destination store like this in a lot of places, unless they wanted to start from an (increasingly difficult to find and expensive) undeveloped plot.

I've also been to the Scheel's store in Sandy UT, and that place is just ridiculous in size and scope. Their prices seemed rather so-so (I wasn't looking for anything in particular when I was there though) but they seem to be able to draw quite the crowd. They also seem rather unapologetic about their political beliefs, with a large bronze statue of Ronald Reagan near the store entrance. I'm sure that alone turns away some customers, but they don't seem to be in the habit of building many stores in blue states anyway.) .
When Scheels opened in Sparks it was the height of the last recession and there were many retail closures taking place. Cabela's had already opened 15 miles away and had established a (mostly non local) customer base. Scheels at the time it opened was the "world's largest sports store." The store opened up and was selling almost everything at full MSRP. I thought for sure the store would fail. It was a really nice store, but overwhelming and over-SKUed. It did not feel particularly well focused (unlike Cabela's which had a clear theme and focus) rather like it was trying to be too many things to too many different people and trying to see what stuck.

Over the years Scheels established a very large customer base for its store. Scheels got a bit more generous on price establishing some sale items and also operating a price match program for online competitors, free delivery for larger items (but they won't deliver into CA- the store is 20 miles from the state line), but what I really found did it for me with Scheels was the way the store was operated. The service levels in this store are very high. It is well staffed with professional employees. Yes the cashiers are just teenagers who aren't too into it, but a lot of the people working on the sales floor are very much into their department and job. The store is neatly maintained and looks just as good today as it did on opening day (the Cabela's in contrast, has gone way downhill in mix and feels half dead inside). It is simply a very pleasant place to shop. The giant product mix is still overwhelming to me and it is difficult to find items in the store, I even get lost looking for the exit if I venture too close to one of the walls but eventually find my way out.

Clearly this strategy worked for Scheels as they have continued to open more of these very large stores. Sparks was one of the early giant stores for them.

Dick's meanwhile- is no Scheels.
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by bryceleinan »

storewanderer wrote: April 12th, 2021, 7:38 pm
Brian Lutz wrote: April 12th, 2021, 3:20 pm I haven't found a reason to spend much time or money there, but every time I drive by the Cabela's near here I know the place is packed. That said, it is a smaller location (there are a couple of the larger destination stores in the Tacoma and Olympia area, one Bass Pro Shops and one Cabela's) but still seems to do plenty of business. Dick's moved into this area by taking over a number of former Sports Authority locations when they went out of business, but I don't think they would have the room for a destination store like this in a lot of places, unless they wanted to start from an (increasingly difficult to find and expensive) undeveloped plot.

I've also been to the Scheel's store in Sandy UT, and that place is just ridiculous in size and scope. Their prices seemed rather so-so (I wasn't looking for anything in particular when I was there though) but they seem to be able to draw quite the crowd. They also seem rather unapologetic about their political beliefs, with a large bronze statue of Ronald Reagan near the store entrance. I'm sure that alone turns away some customers, but they don't seem to be in the habit of building many stores in blue states anyway.) .
When Scheels opened in Sparks it was the height of the last recession and there were many retail closures taking place. Cabela's had already opened 15 miles away and had established a (mostly non local) customer base. Scheels at the time it opened was the "world's largest sports store." The store opened up and was selling almost everything at full MSRP. I thought for sure the store would fail. It was a really nice store, but overwhelming and over-SKUed. It did not feel particularly well focused (unlike Cabela's which had a clear theme and focus) rather like it was trying to be too many things to too many different people and trying to see what stuck.

Over the years Scheels established a very large customer base for its store. Scheels got a bit more generous on price establishing some sale items and also operating a price match program for online competitors, free delivery for larger items (but they won't deliver into CA- the store is 20 miles from the state line), but what I really found did it for me with Scheels was the way the store was operated. The service levels in this store are very high. It is well staffed with professional employees. Yes the cashiers are just teenagers who aren't too into it, but a lot of the people working on the sales floor are very much into their department and job. The store is neatly maintained and looks just as good today as it did on opening day (the Cabela's in contrast, has gone way downhill in mix and feels half dead inside). It is simply a very pleasant place to shop. The giant product mix is still overwhelming to me and it is difficult to find items in the store, I even get lost looking for the exit if I venture too close to one of the walls but eventually find my way out.

Clearly this strategy worked for Scheels as they have continued to open more of these very large stores. Sparks was one of the early giant stores for them.

Dick's meanwhile- is no Scheels.
I only have been inside of three Dick's stores - Reno, Medford (OR), and one in Kansas City. Medford is interesting with Field and Stream, however, as you and others pointed out, those stores are on their way out. Not sure what they are going to do with Sportsman's impending buyout by Bass Pro - they might be able to sell to Gander/Camping World? I was just in Cabela's on Saturday - it felt as dead as you mentioned. Bass Pro is about to remodel the joint into a full-line store, so we'll see what happens there. Scheels is always busy, which leaves Dick's. Not sure how long they will keep Reno going - it is always dead when I go in there.
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by storewanderer »

bryceleinan wrote: April 15th, 2021, 7:28 pm I only have been inside of three Dick's stores - Reno, Medford (OR), and one in Kansas City. Medford is interesting with Field and Stream, however, as you and others pointed out, those stores are on their way out. Not sure what they are going to do with Sportsman's impending buyout by Bass Pro - they might be able to sell to Gander/Camping World? I was just in Cabela's on Saturday - it felt as dead as you mentioned. Bass Pro is about to remodel the joint into a full-line store, so we'll see what happens there. Scheels is always busy, which leaves Dick's. Not sure how long they will keep Reno going - it is always dead when I go in there.
Dick's is doing great? A wall street and media darling... I never see more than a few customers in the Reno Dick's either. I guess they do better elsewhere? The groups who praise Dick's are surely target customers for high margin athletic shoes and running shorts. Maybe occasionally they will buy a softball or something. Medford Field and Stream was also quite empty when I went in there.
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by buckguy »

Regardless of how many people you see at your local Dick's, they are up 25% this year in terms of sales. It's a been a good year for exercise equipment and I would imagine that they've done a lot with online sales. The merchandise that would be more normally seasonal or for team sports probably hasn't been moving and that's the bulk of what they have in the stores.

The Field and Stream stores cutback on guns and put in an age limit on ammo, but they didn't eliminate them. Dick's hasn't made any new moves on guns, but hunting has been in decline for decades and the move into hunting and fishing stores made no sense, esp. with the demise of Gander Mountain and the more recent bankruptcy of Sportsman's Warehouse, which was bought by Bass' parent. I wouldn't be surprised if the real money was in the outfitting rather than the guns and the outfitting would be more sensitive to the decline of the sport. Fishing holds its own, but really isn't growing with the population and for most people it's a very occasional activity, with a lot of people letting their fishing poles go without use for years at a time. Again, I'm guessing that its the outfitting where the profit is, rather than the rods and reels.
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Re: Dick's House of Sport

Post by storewanderer »

buckguy wrote: April 18th, 2021, 7:16 am Regardless of how many people you see at your local Dick's, they are up 25% this year in terms of sales. It's a been a good year for exercise equipment and I would imagine that they've done a lot with online sales. The merchandise that would be more normally seasonal or for team sports probably hasn't been moving and that's the bulk of what they have in the stores.

The Field and Stream stores cutback on guns and put in an age limit on ammo, but they didn't eliminate them. Dick's hasn't made any new moves on guns, but hunting has been in decline for decades and the move into hunting and fishing stores made no sense, esp. with the demise of Gander Mountain and the more recent bankruptcy of Sportsman's Warehouse, which was bought by Bass' parent. I wouldn't be surprised if the real money was in the outfitting rather than the guns and the outfitting would be more sensitive to the decline of the sport. Fishing holds its own, but really isn't growing with the population and for most people it's a very occasional activity, with a lot of people letting their fishing poles go without use for years at a time. Again, I'm guessing that its the outfitting where the profit is, rather than the rods and reels.
Other chains used to post big sales increases back in the day too when they were expanding rapidly. We will see how Dick's does long term.

Sportsman's Warehouse went bankrupt back in 2009 during the last recession. Not sure I'd call that recent. And that had more to do with the recession and too rapid of expansion. That's another store I've never bought anything from and it seems like it isn't nearly as popular as it used to be.

Again if Dick's moves to eliminate the guns and replace with more running shorts and t-shirts are so great why have they not eliminated them from EVERY store yet? I think they say one thing but the reality and consequences of their decision may not quite be consistent with what they say.

In any case, I have not shopped there and most likely will not shop there in the future. They have high prices and poor selection. Better competitors will continue to expand and Dick's locating often in malls where traffic is declining on an ongoing basis will be an issue if these malls don't figure out how to draw in more people. A new Scheels would sure draw a lot of people to a mall since it is a store that actually carries a complete roster of product categories. Also many other places in the mall sell the same exact things Dick's seems to want to sell on a continuing basis (the various shoe chains like Foot Locker, Finish Line, etc. on shoes- the department stores on "athletic" type clothing). Frankly, stores with an attitude like Dick's to only handle certain product categories only hurt the mall. Just like the department stores when they got out of hardlines. You offer fewer things- you draw in fewer customers. I understand the business strategy to focus on high profit categories and that is fine until you are so narrow nobody wants to shop at your store anymore.
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