Ask OG

[Coldtrain]

I have a quick question for the OG crew.  If you were about to purchase shells to stock in a smaller retail location, which would you go with?  I am wanting to carry a small variety of the most common shells. Thanks in advance.

[knightrider]

test the water with a few of each of the hevi13 and of course the fed blue box,win xx,win high velocity,and some of the fed heavy weights

[Old Gobbler]

I used to do the purchasing for a sporting goods store back in the day

This is a dynamic question because , you need have/guess what your customers want and at the same time figure out what your competition is offering - no use buying nitros if your customers can get them down the street , or if they are not the type to foot that type of money

Best to ask your steady customers what products they want , and always have signage in your retail location offering to special order any item they dont see

[allaboutshooting]

I have a quick question for the OG crew.  If you were about to purchase shells to stock in a smaller retail location, which would you go with?  I am wanting to carry a small variety of the most common shells. Thanks in advance.

Good advice all around already. Your customer base will dictate what you sell. It's tough to try to anticipate what folks will want but asking them before you order will certainly help. If you can work out an arrangement with a supplier to ship minimum numbers of shells, on an as needed basis and let your customers know that they can special order from you, that would be the best of both worlds. Lastly, I go to some shops and see boxes of shells with dust on them. The wrong products just don't sell.

Thanks,
Clark

[R AJ]

Due to the expense of tungsten mainly, the average Joe is going to be more willing to purchase a copper-plated lead offering than the HTL or Fed HW loads for one.
12 gauge will out sell 20 gauge and every year when Wal- Mart has its equal #s of 4,5,and 6 shot the one that is always left is #4. Sixes out sell 5s in my area but not by much. Winchester has been a strong seller as well.
Just as the posts above state, rather than guess what they want just do a survey. There are many demographics to determine what will sell better. I applaud you for attempting to make choices available.

2 3/4" vs. 3" vs. 3 1/2" - more 3" in 12 ga.

20 gauge - #5 / #6 ( if available)  3"  will sell better  Win has only #4 and #5 while Federal has #6s