What would be your comment on this -

Set up a retail store on Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, or another large US city that offers -

1. African/safari oriented guns, clothing, other items tried and tested in the field. This would include luggage and footwear.

2. Custom or semi-custom gun fitting for several custom gun makers and/or higher gun companies such as Rigby, Blaser, Sauer, Markell and others. Selection of optics as well.

3. Have an in-house 50 or 100 yard range to fire various guns.

4. Offer custom and factory ammunition.

5. Link with a seriously high level gunsmith/repair service that handles all things bolt action and double rifle.

6. Offer in-house Safari/hunt booking services to include visa and all transport. Allow the customer to meet face to face for this service rather than do it all by email and phone.

7. Offer all trophy shipping and taxidermy services to include delivery of trophies to your home and assist in hanging them.

8. Possible additional services would include planning photo safaris to game parks, recommended side trips such as Zanzibar or Etosha or Pemba beaches or Mauritius.

Is something like this feasible? Has it been done? Can it make money?

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
What would be your comment on this -

Set up a retail store on Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, or another large US city that offers -

1. African/safari oriented guns, clothing, other items tried and tested in the field. This would include luggage and footwear.

2. Custom or semi-custom gun fitting for several custom gun makers and/or higher gun companies such as Rigby, Blaser, Sauer, Markell and others. Selection of optics as well.

3. Have an in-house 50 or 100 yard range to fire various guns.

4. Offer custom and factory ammunition.

5. Link with a seriously high level gunsmith/repair service that handles all things bolt action and double rifle.

6. Offer in-house Safari/hunt booking services to include visa and all transport. Allow the customer to meet face to face for this service rather than do it all by email and phone.

7. Offer all trophy shipping and taxidermy services to include delivery of trophies to your home and assist in hanging them.

8. Possible additional services would include planning photo safaris to game parks, recommended side trips such as Zanzibar or Etosha or Pemba beaches or Mauritius.

Is something like this feasible? Has it been done? Can it make money?

Thanks.

Figure out a legal way to safely ship firearms and ammo to/from Africa so a hunter didn't have to fly with them, opening up all sorts of different routing/ itinerary options.

You would have a very limited Paying clientele.
Just not that many safari hunters.

What Pegleg said. The market is just too small to make a profit. The total number of hunters appears to be declining, a very small percentage of hunters travel to Africa and only a small percentage of that would utilize the services you offered.

Most of these things are already easily available.What would be the purpose of having a physical retail address or location? Convenience? IMO,if there is a single doubt, the plan will fail.Retailing is a bitch.Ask yourself if you had funds to gamble on such a venture and those were your only funds would you go ahead?

Similar type shops built around a gun manufacturer survive in London. Perhaps a business along the lines of what you mentioned would work in a Dallas.

Long term it might be like getting into the buggy whip business in 1900 or the one hour photo processing business in the 1990's.

You would probably have to market to a younger generation that doesn't hunt, or has only hunted domestically. Most of us that are into international hunting already have our rifles, clothes, luggage, and know the outfitters and where we want to go.

There is certainly no way to scale the business. They say to have an exit strategy prior to starting a business. There may be no buyers when that time comes.

If you decide to do this, let us know. I will certainly swing by!

isn't this what occurs @ DSC & SCI

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
What would be your comment on this -

Set up a retail store on Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, or another large US city that offers -

1. African/safari oriented guns, clothing, other items tried and tested in the field. This would include luggage and footwear.

2. Custom or semi-custom gun fitting for several custom gun makers and/or higher gun companies such as Rigby, Blaser, Sauer, Markell and others. Selection of optics as well.

3. Have an in-house 50 or 100 yard range to fire various guns.

4. Offer custom and factory ammunition.

5. Link with a seriously high level gunsmith/repair service that handles all things bolt action and double rifle.

6. Offer in-house Safari/hunt booking services to include visa and all transport. Allow the customer to meet face to face for this service rather than do it all by email and phone.

7. Offer all trophy shipping and taxidermy services to include delivery of trophies to your home and assist in hanging them.

8. Possible additional services would include planning photo safaris to game parks, recommended side trips such as Zanzibar or Etosha or Pemba beaches or Mauritius.

Is something like this feasible? Has it been done? Can it make money?

Thanks.

Won’t make money.

Reminds me of the old holland and holland on 57th street. There are better uses of high end real estate in nyc.

Holland & Holland also told me safari booking are not worth it. They had a very expensive destination wedding that was a total disaster.

Gordy & sons in Houston or h&h in London or beretta gallery is close to it and it will come.

Mike

Best idea is to have a cargo plane collecting trophies across Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
What would be your comment on this -

Set up a retail store on Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, or another large US city that offers -

1. African/safari oriented guns, clothing, other items tried and tested in the field. This would include luggage and footwear.

2. Custom or semi-custom gun fitting for several custom gun makers and/or higher gun companies such as Rigby, Blaser, Sauer, Markell and others. Selection of optics as well.

3. Have an in-house 50 or 100 yard range to fire various guns.

4. Offer custom and factory ammunition.

5. Link with a seriously high level gunsmith/repair service that handles all things bolt action and double rifle.

6. Offer in-house Safari/hunt booking services to include visa and all transport. Allow the customer to meet face to face for this service rather than do it all by email and phone.

7. Offer all trophy shipping and taxidermy services to include delivery of trophies to your home and assist in hanging them.

8. Possible additional services would include planning photo safaris to game parks, recommended side trips such as Zanzibar or Etosha or Pemba beaches or Mauritius.

Is something like this feasible? Has it been done? Can it make money?

Thanks.

Won’t make money.

Reminds me of the old holland and holland on 57th street. There are better uses of high end real estate in nyc.

Holland & Holland also told me safari booking are not worth it. They had a very expensive destination wedding that was a total disaster.

Gordy & sons in Houston or h&h in London or beretta gallery is close to it and it will come.

Mike

But Holland & Holland had the stupid attitude that people will pay stupid money for anything coming from them!

It might have to be an existing establishment offering these services on the side.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
What would be your comment on this -

Set up a retail store on Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, or another large US city that offers -

1. African/safari oriented guns, clothing, other items tried and tested in the field. This would include luggage and footwear.

2. Custom or semi-custom gun fitting for several custom gun makers and/or higher gun companies such as Rigby, Blaser, Sauer, Markell and others. Selection of optics as well.

3. Have an in-house 50 or 100 yard range to fire various guns.

4. Offer custom and factory ammunition.

5. Link with a seriously high level gunsmith/repair service that handles all things bolt action and double rifle.

6. Offer in-house Safari/hunt booking services to include visa and all transport. Allow the customer to meet face to face for this service rather than do it all by email and phone.

7. Offer all trophy shipping and taxidermy services to include delivery of trophies to your home and assist in hanging them.

8. Possible additional services would include planning photo safaris to game parks, recommended side trips such as Zanzibar or Etosha or Pemba beaches or Mauritius.

Is something like this feasible? Has it been done? Can it make money?

Thanks.

Dogcat,you need to look at it a little different than what you have put down.

Any money that you set forth on your venture would need to be surplus money that you would not miss if the store(s) folded.

Many shoppers today go to a retail store to look at items, only to go home and purchase the item on the internet after searching for the best price. They try on clothing and shoes and then purchase the item(s) on line. Your business would see many potential customers that would do this. Heck, shoppers are always looking for the best price in the mall, they will purchase at one store only to bring the item back after they have found it in another store for a lower price.

Store location will be an issue for you, to be located with a high concentration of international hunters.

You would be competing with both the DSC and SCI convention, where international travelers a hunters attend to look at the line items you have put forth.

If you move along on your line of thinking, I would like to wish you the best.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
What would be your comment on this -

Set up a retail store on Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, or another large US city that offers -

1. African/safari oriented guns, clothing, other items tried and tested in the field. This would include luggage and footwear.

2. Custom or semi-custom gun fitting for several custom gun makers and/or higher gun companies such as Rigby, Blaser, Sauer, Markell and others. Selection of optics as well.

3. Have an in-house 50 or 100 yard range to fire various guns.

4. Offer custom and factory ammunition.

5. Link with a seriously high level gunsmith/repair service that handles all things bolt action and double rifle.

6. Offer in-house Safari/hunt booking services to include visa and all transport. Allow the customer to meet face to face for this service rather than do it all by email and phone.

7. Offer all trophy shipping and taxidermy services to include delivery of trophies to your home and assist in hanging them.

8. Possible additional services would include planning photo safaris to game parks, recommended side trips such as Zanzibar or Etosha or Pemba beaches or Mauritius.

Is something like this feasible? Has it been done? Can it make money?

Thanks.

Won’t make money.

Reminds me of the old holland and holland on 57th street. There are better uses of high end real estate in nyc.

Holland & Holland also told me safari booking are not worth it. They had a very expensive destination wedding that was a total disaster.

Gordy & sons in Houston or h&h in London or beretta gallery is close to it and it will come.

Mike

But Holland & Holland had the stupid attitude that people will pay stupid money for anything coming from them!

Holland is fine. They have a stupid clientele of people who have too much money and not enough gun sense. They have always had it from maharaja in the past to Russians and gulf royalty today.

What did not work for holland was being in the service business - organizing high end vacations and trips. Imagine those same idiots buying their guns - what they would demand in service on their vacations.

Besides the property of 57 street was worth too much for a gun showroom. I worked on 450 park and the showroom was less than 150 yards around the corner. Was fun to stop buy in the afternoon on a slow trading day.

Mike

There are ranges that specialize in training weapons handling and shot placement for hunting situations. Would check into need for that type of training facility. At least you would be able to enjoy hosting a couple big bore shoots each year.

It certainly would be interesting to try.
Since you asked for comments and mine will be worth every penny you've paid for them:

You're trying to combine high end retail, gunsmithing, a gun range, taxidermy, custom ammunition loading, and a travel booking service. I can't think of anywhere this exists under one roof. Usually you find high end retail in very expensive real-estate. I can't remember seeing either taxidermists or gun ranges in such locations.

I suppose Orvis has some aspects of this in fly fishing & wing shooting -they sell shotguns, fly fishing gear and clothes; they book US and international fly fishing and wing shooting trips plus schools; they have a custom gun shop with gunsmithing services. Some other fly fishing shops like The Fly Shop in Redding, California have in-house travel booking services. Both Orvis and The Fly Shop have a lot of internet sales. This shop could have a large internet presence, too. Would probably have to have one, I'd guess. Unfortunately www.dogcat.com is already taken by a French pet supply store, though!

If you open such a shop in Denver or Dallas, I'll be glad to come visit!

I think you pretty much described Abercrombie & Fitch a few decades ago and now look at them.

Actually, it can be done, and well too.

You need to start with one individual who is dedicated enough, and knowledgeable enough, to know who to deal with.

He needs to establish proper contact with those he intends to do business with, and come to a mutual understanding, and go from there.

This sort of business has to be exclusive, so you won't be having a many customers.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Actually, it can be done, and well too.

You need to start with one individual who is dedicated enough, and knowledgeable enough, to know who to deal with.

He needs to establish proper contact with those he intends to do business with, and come to a mutual understanding, and go from there.

This sort of business has to be exclusive, so you won't be having a many customers.

And won’t make any money.

Mike

There are already too many doing the same thing.
Also African and perhaps international hunting will decline in the near future.
Just my 2 cents.
Cal

Gordy & Sons in Houston is very much like what you described. Top of the line everything, but I also believe the owners are not dependent on the store’s profits.

What Pegleg said. The customer base in any locale is very small.

Toss in a Denny's and a bowling alley and I bet it would work....

Opus- you owe me a keyboard.

I would think it could work...

But it would be very difficult.

The market share issue is a biggie, especially if you are trying to find the folks who are willing to pay for the level of service. Most of the folks in at that level already have people they are dealing with, and the guy running the service would at a minimum be expected to have gone with these outfits and have personal experience. That would drive the expense side way up, especially given it would need to be before it started.

Lots of guys at that level have expectations that may not necessarily be reasonable- or meetable.

In essence, you would be competing with every booking agent, hunting show, and gun shop, with guys who would not be supplying the same level of service poaching the clientele.

You would need to be located in an area with a very large number of well off hunters; or in a place where the same regularly show up, yet have the ability to avoid the harassment of your clients by the anti types.

I could see someone with means using it as a “recreational business“ that would not provide a livelihood, but would allow them to live a lifestyle for less than just paying for it would cost.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Toss in a Denny's and a bowling alley and I bet it would work....

I was thinking, Cigar Shop, Scotch Bar, Steakhouse, Range Rover dealership,
and
High end Strip club

I looked at doing something like this after I retired from the military.

I lack the funds to make it work, probably could figure out, but in the end wasn't sure if I could financially ever make it work.

I know lots of people in the gun business, that have retail stores.

There are also lots of people who only trade by appointment. This precludes you from having a whale come in on an off shot and drop $150,000 in one hour.

What does advertising cost in Sports Afield, Safari and the other African hunting magazines?

Cabelas and some Bass Pro's still have high end gun rooms, are they profitable on their own?

A friend of mine is a retired Army SF guy. He got hurt in a car accident and was 100% disabled from the Army at 25. He built a archery store in Germany that caters to the military and is the only archery store in his area. He books hunts, offers gear, and does a variety of things like you talk about. Not so much for Africa.

He has a local need. There just aren't that many hunting stores in Germany that sell bows. He doesn't sell guns as it isn't worth his time to get into it. But he sells ammunition.

Westley Richards opened up a shop in Bozeman, which was a financial failure. The shop is now in Florida somewhere.

I think it would work fine, but it might be more of a retirement job that you want to take on Ross.

Keeping a high end portfolio might be hard.

Back when Rigby was an American company in Paso Robles, I tried to visit the store. It was locked and they wouldn't let me in.

I have been in other shops like that in the Waco Texas area. Where you have to call first.

Would be neat to build a shop like that, and it would be a great place to visit. But will it be successful????????

I would love a store like this. Enjoy walking around perusing things that really interest me. But I mean this with all due respect and tongue in cheek...I hope you will have an online store where I can buy it cheaper than anywhere else, because there is no way I would drive thru Atlanta to visit it. Unless I'm close by and can find a used Westley Richards on Gunbroker and have it shipped to your store and you will do the FFL transfer for me for $20.
That is kinda what retail us up against now. Online pricing and location. Pegleg and Sniper are right. Heck, have you noticed the Holland & Holland Facebook page is totally clothing now geared toward millennials. The guns are now on a new Facebook page called Holland & Holland Field Sports.

quote:

Originally posted by Clan_Colla:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Toss in a Denny's and a bowling alley and I bet it would work....

I was thinking, Cigar Shop, Scotch Bar, Steakhouse, Range Rover dealership,
and
High end Strip club

This I would pay monthly does to. Kind of a joke,

Remember the Maytag Repairman? Clerking this store sounds even lonelier.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:

quote:

Originally posted by Clan_Colla:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Toss in a Denny's and a bowling alley and I bet it would work....

I was thinking, Cigar Shop, Scotch Bar, Steakhouse, Range Rover dealership,
and
High end Strip club

This I would pay monthly does to. Kind of a joke,

I am in!

Ross,

As much as a store like that would be of interest to safari hunters I wouldn't put my money into it. I think the clientele are just too few to justify a store dedicated to safari hunting. Myself I'm going on my 20th safari this year but I haven't bought anything safari related in years. I think the more you go on safari the more you realize how little "safari" gear you need.

Mark

No way.

You’d go broke in eight months.

My sense is that African big game hunters are Type A sons of guns, and don’t want and won’t pay for such things.

Just my commentary, which I entirely disavow, since I am not your lawyer, and since I am otherwise completely unqualified to provide.

Yes, the high end strip club is what would make it work.

Will you cater weddings too ?
How about karaoke ?

These types of businesses almost always make a small fortune . . . out of a large one.

I have no safari experience but I do have a lot of commercial experience.

This is 2020 and you are targeting wealthy people who are busy and well versed with the internet and technology. They also have others around to do the background work if needed.

Your business model sounds very 1980s to me.

The set up cost would be huge. You will need big names to sign up as partners. As someone said earlier, that will have to be an existing operation with high credibility and Brand recognition.

Like Saeed said - it has to be exclusive and for a small clientele. That is a shrinking market regarding hunting, guns, taxidermy etc.

I would not put my money into it.

.

Safari Outdoor in RSA is worth visiting. Safari stuff, reloading, high end guns,
Fishing gear, books, luggage, knives, gun repairs, a coffee bar ....
Similar to what you describe without the travel section.

But hey, based on all the above comments and wisdom they will be out of business and bust soon. Hope their new CEO reads / sees this so he knows what’s coming!

But then again maybe RSA is a few decades behind the rest of the world!

Just my 2 cents ....


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