Gun/Airsoft shops closing down

[novioman]

Noticed that McAvoy guns and A2 Supplies are shut or shutting, difficult times for retailers I suppose 

[Hami]

Shame  is Airsoft in the uk generally getting less popular? It’s already very niche

[Lozart]

16 minutes ago, Hami said:

Shame  is Airsoft in the uk generally getting less popular? It’s already very niche

 

I think it's more of an issue with footfall in bricks and mortar stores, people generally having less expendable income etc. Plus I'm sure in the case of A2 at least, business rates are probably horrific being in Reading!

[Galvatron]

30 minutes ago, Hami said:

Shame  is Airsoft in the uk generally getting less popular? It’s already very niche

 

In addition to Lozart's points about the lack of footfall in bricks & mortar stores and business rates, leasing costs can become prohibitively expensive, which has crippled much of the retail industry.

 

It's also worth taking into consideration the factor of showrooming people where may actually go in store to handle the RIFs or accessories in person but then buy online from a web-only retailer who undercuts the store they visited.

[Barry Sayer]

22 hours ago, novioman said:

Noticed that McAvoy guns and A2 Supplies are shut or shutting, difficult times for retailers I suppose 

I've been lead to believe McAvoy are just selling the business/or moving premises not closing down.

Their closing down sale has been going on for a while now....it got lots of traffic through the door spending money & grabbing a bargain (myself included)....reduced prices, put a sign up saying 'sale' will drag punters in, its good sales tactics and clears lots of stock, wich could be sat on a shelf for years.

Tis a shame though, one of my favourite shops.

[novioman]

57 minutes ago, Barry Sayer said:

I've been lead to believe McAvoy are just selling the business/or moving premises not closing down.

Their closing down sale has been going on for a while now....it got lots of traffic through the door spending money & grabbing a bargain (myself included)....reduced prices, put a sign up saying 'sale' will drag punters in, its good sales tactics and clears lots of stock, wich could be sat on a shelf for years.

Tis a shame though, one of my favourite shops.

It’s a closing down sale according to their website. If it’s up for sale as an ongoing business I don’t know. Perhaps you could update if you find out more when you next visit. Hopefully it will carry on as a shooting sports retailer.

[TheFull9]

When I google any given product I might be interested in there's an ever-increasing number of online shops popping up; has been the case the past few years. The brain loves to be doom and gloom but I do not believe the business is in some kind of death throes.

 

An actual walk-in shop in SE England is going to inevitably struggle a lot by comparison to an online only business in.. somewhere that's not SE England or in the valuable part of another large city. It's not like you can magically charge more for X product just because of your location, people will simply shop elsewhere; yet your running costs are far higher.

[Egon_247]

13 hours ago, TheFull9 said:

When I google any given product I might be interested in there's an ever-increasing number of online shops popping up; has been the case the past few years. The brain loves to be doom and gloom but I do not believe the business is in some kind of death throes.

 

An actual walk-in shop in SE England is going to inevitably struggle a lot by comparison to an online only business in.. somewhere that's not SE England or in the valuable part of another large city. It's not like you can magically charge more for X product just because of your location, people will simply shop elsewhere; yet your running costs are far higher.

The guy that runs "Apocolypse Airsoft" in sittingbourne has opened an actual bricks and mortar (lol, no pun intended) shop in Farningham, just up the road from brands hatch. Its a sod to find but once youve found it, its all good.  

Modern warrior is the name i think. 👍

[Cooperman26]

I can confirm that Modern Warrior shop is a fantastic little gem! John who owns it does own a few of the airsoft sites in Kent and a few shops to go with them. I’d highly recommend visiting! If there’s something you need he will do his best to try and source it for you and answer any questions you may have! Lauren is also a superstar, very friendly team they have, and if you spend over £100 I believe you get a free game day! 

[Egon_247]

2 hours ago, Cooperman26 said:

I can confirm that Modern Warrior shop is a fantastic little gem! John who owns it does own a few of the airsoft sites in Kent and a few shops to go with them. I’d highly recommend visiting! If there’s something you need he will do his best to try and source it for you and answer any questions you may have! Lauren is also a superstar, very friendly team they have, and if you spend over £100 I believe you get a free game day! 

BUUUUT if youre going, watch the cameras on the A20 going back towards the M25... sneaky buggers put an average speed camera set up, up.

 

[Cannonfodder]

It's always a shame when shops close down (minus a couple of exceptions where I'd probably smile a little if they went under). Unfortunately that's the nature of retail though, bricks and mortar shops need to be located where they'll get customers walking in and by their nature these sort of places will have higher overheads like rent and business rates which invariably will be passed on to the customer. 

 

Tbh I was always surprised at A2's old shop in Little Chalfont. A little village didn't exactly strike me as the best place for a shop in such a niche market