Big Rock Sports LLC says 60 percent of 300 outdoor sporting goods retailers who responded to a recent survey will use Facebook or Twitter to advertise in-store promotions or event during the holiday season. 

Store gift cards and certificates are popular with outdoor retailers this year. Of the retailers polled, 83 percent plan to sell holiday gift cards or certificates that can be redeemed in their stores.

These findings are the result of a comprehensive survey of independent outdoor sporting goods retailers conducted by Big Rock Sports, which distributes goods from 1,200 manufacturers to about 15,000 retailers. The survey asked a variety of questions about consumer trends, holiday sales tactics and store strategies for the season of giving. More than 300 of Big Rocks customers across the US responded.

We are constantly looking for ways to offer our customers practical, real-time information, said Mitch Mitchell, Director of Marketing at Big Rock Sports. Based on the overwhelming response, the company plans to expand its customer research. We hope the findings of this survey, and others like it, will give Big Rock customers new ideas and techniques to help them succeed.

Other highlights of the survey include:

  • 82 percent of outdoor retailers with more than 10 employees reported using social media to promote holiday specials or in-store events
  • 75 percent do not extend store hours during the holiday season
  • 71 percent of outdoor retailers decorate their stores for the holidays
  • 34 percent stock gift-type merchandise
  • 75 percent reported November and December as very good sales months
  • 56 percent of outdoor retailers do not plan to take time off during the holidays

Privately-owned Big Rock Sports, LLC is basd in Graham, NC and strongly committed to protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and all outdoor enthusiasts.