Creative Strategies to Move Inventory, Increase Profits, and Keep Customers Engaged

May marks the start of the traditionally slow season for gun stores and shooting ranges. After the year-end sales rush and new-year product launches, many retailers face a familiar challenge: inventory that’s just not moving. In a landscape shaped by inflation, increased consumer debt, and shifting political and global dynamics, waiting for traffic to pick up on its own isn’t a viable strategy.

What is?
Special promotions.
Not just your run-of-the-mill discounts, but smart, creative campaigns designed to move inventory, protect margins, and breathe life into your sales floor.

Why Promotions Matter Now More Than Ever

Recent data from across the firearms industry paints a clear picture: demand is softening, but consumers are still showing interest—if the price is right and the offer compelling.

Let’s take a closer look:

• In 2023, same-store firearm inventories were down 5% from the previous year, but sales dropped 16%. That means retailers were left holding more inventory relative to demand.

• Ammunition sales told a similar story: inventory rose 6%, but sales dropped nearly 9%, leading to an 11% decline in prices. The gap between supply and demand was widening.

• Nearly half of consumers said discounts and rebates would increase their likelihood of buying.

• The average price paid for a firearm still went up 2.5%—suggesting buyers are using promotions to stretch their dollars and opt for higher-end purchases.

What does this all mean?
Promotions work. They move product, attract new buyers, and provide a pathway to healthier cash flow and refreshed inventory levels.

Don’t Wait for Q4 — Act Now

It’s easy to associate promotions with year-end shopping events like Black Friday. But the market doesn’t wait until Q4 to shift—and neither should you. Delaying action until the holiday season could mean missing the window to turn stagnant inventory into working capital.

If you're sitting on too much product now, the solution isn’t to wait—it’s to act. Firearms retailers who take proactive steps in May and the months that follow can set themselves apart while competitors hold out for fall. Especially in an economy where buyers are cautious and overstocked shelves are common, early action becomes your competitive advantage.

Think Beyond Discounts: Creative Promotions That Move Product

Let’s explore some unconventional, yet practical promotional strategies to reinvigorate your inventory and capture customer interest in ways that go beyond a simple price cut.

1. Bundle Deals With a Purpose

Combine slower-moving products with high-demand items. For example:

• Pair a discounted holster or cleaning kit with the purchase of a specific handgun model.

• Offer a “Range Day Bundle” that includes ammo, safety gear, and targets for a flat rate.

• Create hunting season starter packs with optics, slings, and accessories that complement specific rifles.

Bundles give the illusion of higher value without heavily discounting core products—and they also help introduce new brands or lesser-known SKUs that may otherwise sit unnoticed.

2. Buy-Back or Trade-In Events

Consumers are sitting on older gear they may not use—and many would happily upgrade. Host a trade-in event where customers can bring in used optics, slings, or even firearms in exchange for store credit or discounts on new gear.

This creates multiple wins:

• You reduce inventory

• Increase foot traffic

• Generate used product to resell at higher margins

3. “Build It Yourself” Promotions

DIY kits are popular for a reason: people like to tinker. Create bundle promotions for at-home AR builds, reloading kits, or custom grip upgrades. Even small-scale gunsmithing events or online workshops that walk customers through building or maintaining their gear can encourage people to buy products they wouldn’t otherwise consider.

Add value by offering an exclusive how-to PDF or video link with purchase.

4. Loss Leaders on Consumables

Consider running promotions on low-margin but high-turnover items like cleaning supplies, targets, or ear protection. These are items consumers will need regardless of the economy, and drawing them in with a deal opens the door to additional, higher-margin purchases.

One creative tactic?
Offer a “Free Cleaning Kit with $100 Purchase” promotion. You’ll move more inventory without deep discounts across the board.

5. Event-Driven Sales Based on the Calendar

Coordinate sales with holidays or cultural moments, even those not traditionally associated with firearms. For example:

• Memorial Day: Honor veterans while promoting patriotic-themed gear, camo patterns, or American-made products.

• Summer Readiness Sale: Highlight accessories and gear for outdoor ranges or summer training courses.

• Father’s Day Gift Packs: Curate gift sets around different “Dad personas” (e.g., “Tactical Dad,” “Hunter Dad,” or “Range Dad”).

Timing promotions around national events—even Amazon Prime Days for accessory sales—helps you stay relevant and front-of-mind without waiting for Q4.

6. Email-Only Flash Sales

Use your email list to drive urgency with limited-time, subscriber-only offers. Create campaigns like:

• “24-Hour Ammo Deals – While Supplies Last”

• “VIP Optic Discounts – Open Now”

• “Mystery Gun Box – Trust Us, It’s a Steal”

These micro-promotions generate excitement and encourage customers to stay engaged with your brand long after they’ve made a purchase.

7. Gamify the Experience

Turn promotions into interactive experiences:

• Spin-to-win wheel at checkout

• Loyalty card punch system tied to accessory purchases

• Social media scavenger hunts with store credit prizes

Even something as simple as “Guess the Caliber” contests on your Facebook page can drive traffic while showcasing inventory.

The Bigger Picture: Strategic Inventory Management

Behind every successful promotion is solid data. Firearms retailers aren’t just dealing with SKUs — they’re dealing with serialized inventory, compliance constraints, and razor-thin margin decisions. That means promotions can’t be guesswork—they must be strategic.

Retailers who succeed with promotions start by knowing:

• Which SKUs are collecting dust (inventory aging reports)

• What categories are overstocked

• How much capital is tied up in stagnant inventory

• What their best-selling products are in each season

Armed with that information, you can surgically target your promotions—moving what needs to go, protecting what’s working, and reinforcing your margins.

Read the Signs in the Market

Across the firearms industry, the pressure to promote is clear. Some manufacturers are extending promotions “by popular demand,” which—let’s be honest—is often code for “we need to clear more product.” Inventory gluts aren’t just a retailer problem; they’re happening at every level of the distribution channel.

With flat or declining forecasts across most firearm categories and ammunition continuing to slide, promotions are the most effective lever we have to correct the course before a deeper discount becomes the only option.

Better to run a smart bundle now than liquidate later.

Why Promotions Work—Even in a Buyer’s Market

Consumers are cautious right now—but not disengaged. According to industry surveys:

• 50% of firearm and accessory consumers are interested in buying within the next 12 months.

• Almost half say a discount or rebate would influence that decision.

• 25% say a new model release would push them to purchase.

• And many are still concerned about ammo availability—despite warehouses saying otherwise.

In short, buyers are looking for a reason to say yes. Promotions give them that reason.

And when done right, promotions don’t just drive sales—they build trust, generate repeat visits, and turn occasional buyers into loyal customers.

Don’t Waste the Off-Season

Instead of viewing the May–August lull as a liability, treat it as a testing ground. Now is the time to experiment with promotion types, messaging strategies, and customer segments.

Try a different tactic each week. Track results. Double down on what works. Discard what doesn’t.

By the time the traditional sales surge rolls around, you won’t be guessing at what motivates your customers—you’ll know.

Coreware: Built to Help You Succeed

At Coreware, we understand the pressure firearms retailers face—tight margins, tough regulations, and seasonal swings that can make or break your year. That’s why our solutions are built from the ground up to help you run lean, move inventory smarter, and market like a pro.

With Coreware’s integrated tools, you can:

• Track inventory in real-time across all your sales channels

• Run promotions with ease—rebates, bundles, discounts, and more

• Automate email and SMS campaigns

• Analyze performance with actionable reports

Our platform is more than just software—it’s a complete retail toolkit designed for firearms businesses who want to grow efficiently, not just survive.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start selling, we’re ready to help. Visit coreware.com to learn how we can help your business thrive—no matter the season.