Deciding to open an archery shop is an exciting endeavor. If this is something you’re considering, be sure you have the tools, knowledge and resources needed to run a successful shop. That process begins with choosing the right location. Here are some things to consider before you add your John Hancock to a lease agreement.
Where Should I Set Up Shop?
You can begin by browsing our Store Locator to check how many other shops already exist in your city and whether they have a range or club activities, offer lessons and coaching, or sell equipment. Use this information to guide your shop’s offerings. If none of the shops near you offer clubs, consider adding that offering to your business model. If you‘re in an area that has plenty of them, make sure your instructors and your services are top notch to stay competitive. ATA’s Bow Technician Certification program is also a great way to certify your staff, while gaining accreditation that will set you apart from other shops.
If you’re wanting to sell to bowhunters, do your research and find the highest concentrations of hunting license sales. Our article 2021 State-by-State Hunting Data is a great resource. This study determined that there were 3.7 million bowhunters in America during the 2021-22 hunting season. You can also review how many bowhunters are in each state through this document. If you’re torn between multiple cities, use the data to make your decision based on where the most bowhunters are concentrated.
Make sure the bows you're hoping to sell don't have an exclusive contract with the other shops in the area. Photo Credit: ATA
To ensure that you can sell the products you have in mind, it's advisable to check with bow manufacturers to see if they have any territory restrictions in your area. If you’re hoping to be a multi-brand retailer, you shouldn’t buy property in a territory where other shops already have an exclusive contract with the brands you’d like to sell.
What Kind of Unit Should I Invest in?
Once you’ve selected the ideal city, you’ll need to decide what kind of unit you will purchase or lease.
Being the only unit on the property as a standalone building will allow for windows on all three sides of the building. You don’t need to worry about windows on the back wall of the property because that will be covered by your shooting lane targets.
It is also advisable to seek out areas with adequate parking. Your customers should be able to find and park at your shop without any difficulty or confusion. If your shop is part of a large shopping complex, make sure it is represented on the signage at the entrance of the complex.
Parking should be easy and convenient. Photo Credit: ATA
What Inventory Should I Buy?
If you’re not sure whether you should stock bowhunting gear, target archery gear, or both, you can use our Retail Trend Tracker Surveys to see in-depth statistics about the highest performing gear based on regions, as well as other important sales and demographic information. You can also download our Service and Labor Rates Sheet to see how other shops in the area are pricing their equipment, allowing you to price yours accordingly.
We also have a wealth of helpful human resource documents to help you when you’re ready to begin hiring employees. You can download an employment application, legal documents and handbook templates through our Resource Library.
Become an ATA Member
Once you’ve taken care of all the paperwork, make sure to visit our Become an ATA Member page and register your new shop as an ATA member to receive access to exclusive documents and our members-only trade show.
Contact Kurt Smith, director of industry relations, at kurtsmith@archerytrade.org to learn more.
By Taylor Walston – Courtesy of Archery Trade Association