Survive and Thrive: How to Win in 2018

Next, place your orders now. Beat that Show-only deadline or buying-group specials you snared in Indy. You might never see those prices again, especially when your busy season arrives in a few months and the hottest items aren’t in stock. Sure, you might have more time next week to verify your existing inventory and reassess 2017’s sales data, but make sure that extra time doesn’t cost you. Verify or confirm that information ASAP while all those many sales and inventory nuances from the past year are fresh in your mind.

Also make sure your inventory-tracking system has recorded every order you placed in Indy. In fact, if you’re now doing all that analyzing and ordering by walking around your basement or back-room with a clipboard, it’s time you take a serious look at ATA ePRO, which tracks your inventory and ordering automatically. Did you visit the Membership Services Area at the Trade Show, and did you talk to an ePRO expert and pick up all the ePRO information? Good! You might not have signed up for ePRO then, but your time toting that clipboard today should reinforce ePRO’s value. Delay no longer. Order it now.

What if you’re not sure about other deals or products you considered at the Show? You’re probably not alone. Reach out to your archery-retailing colleagues on ATA Connect. The ATA created this new online discussion community exclusively for ATA members.

As an ATA-member retailer, you can take advantage of ATA Connect’s Retail Growth Interact community, which is productive and focused on solutions for everyone. It's a safe, confidential space to network and solve industry challenges through constructive, helpful discussions.

Retail Growth Interact is a great place to share ideas and ask questions about the topics that matter most to your business, including buying patterns, profit margins and what to charge for services. You can address industry challenges, and boost your bottom line while promoting archery and bowhunting.

As an ATA-member retailer, you can also reach out to the ATA’s Outreach staff for help. They’ll steer you to classes that boost revenues through recreational archery — a market where many of your fellow retailers are seeing growth. The ATA’s Outreach specialists can also help you find a nearby instructor-certification class to build your store’s credibility and enhance its value to your community.