In an earnings call on March 13, Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Edward Stack told investors that the sporting goods retailer would stop selling firearms at 125 locations—roughly 17 percent of its stores in the US. Dick’s will replace these firearm sections with other categories, such as shoes and clothes. The newly vacant floor space will also be used to test experiential retail concepts such as in-store batting cages.
This significant step away from the gun business comes one year after Dick’s knee jerk reaction to the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Dick’s decision at that time sparked celebration from gun control activists and the ire of Second Amendment advocates who punished the company’s profits. In part, this was due to Dick’s decision to stop selling modern sporting rifles altogether and destroy any inventory in stock, while simultaneously stopping all sales of firearms to anyone under the age of 21. Compounding Dick’s decision was its subsidiary brand Field & Stream, which Dick’s saddled with the same anti-gun policy.
Dick’s is an example of the dangers of corporate America. The CEO has decided to take a personal political position and force it on the business he runs. In furtherance of his personal political position, he believes he is justified in destroying inventory, alienating investors, and worse yet, using investor money to further his misguided political beliefs by hiring a small handful lobbyists to push for gun control in Congress.
This latest action goes well beyond just guns though. Dick’s announced it will also be pulling other gear related to the outdoor shooting sports, reportedly to include hunting and camping supplies or related materials. Why? Stack made it clear that he felt his company needed to take a strong stance in the gun control debate.
“Thoughts and prayers are not enough,” he wrote in a widely shared statement after the Parkland shooting. “We have to help solve the problem that’s in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that’s taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America—our kids.”
What Stack fails to understand was the fact that you cannot legislate away evil. Gun control only seeks to punish the law abiding, by definition. He offers lip service that he understands, supports the Second Amendment, owns guns, hunts… blah, blah, blah… then immediately turns around and enacts policies that seeks to prevent young adults from owning firearms for self-defence, destroys inventory, publically states that company will not support any candidate for office with a B or higher NRA rating.
The Industry’s Response
As many of you already know, several gun companies came out in support of the Second Amendment and refused to do business with Dick’s, as a response to its anti Second Amendment stance. As an example, Mossberg not only stopped all sales to Dick’s, it urged shoppers to “Visit one of the thousands of pro-Second Amendment firearm retailers to make their purchases.”
As a result, Dick’s has suffered financially; one shareholder last year even accused the company of “willfully giving up money.” As of November 2018, its sales were down almost 4 percent, and many gun rights advocates have pledged to stay away from its stores. In the investor call, Stack said that Dick’s continues, “to see double-digit declines” in its gun business, and that the company “would expect that [sales] continue to be down.”
That means our efforts are successful. We have a voice and the power of our support. In an effort to mitigate the cost to Dick’s bottom line for its anti Second Amendment stance, the company is looking to pivot, in an effort to outflank gun owners. As it shutters its gun business in 125 underperforming stores, Dick’s will instead focus on other categories, like shoes and fitness wear.
Dick’s Future?
Dick’s already lost the business of most gun owners and Second Amendment supporters. Trying to split a line would never earn back the business Dick’s has lost. However, trying to hide the problem by not splitting the line and going into full anti-gun mode will not win us back either. Dick’s stance against the Second Amendment has been far too strong to think that getting rid of all firearms and outdoor shooting related products is going to suddenly, or in the future, make me run in to buy a baseball bat or kayak.
Does Dick’s latest move to completely get away from firearms and related outdoor supplies change your opinion about whether to patronize its stores, including FIeld and Stream? Share your answer in the comment section.
Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.
Dick’s (the name says all you need to know) will not every get any of my money. The Armory blog needs to do a story on other anti 2 amendment companies so we can also boycott their stores and products.
Aggreed. I make it a point to let every breathing body I meet not to shop at Dick’s. If there were no guns the unhinged people will resort to other ways to kill. Over a decade ago in Europe some idiot went into a kindergarten/preschool and killed a bunch of kids with a knife. He used a knife because he probably couldn’t get his hands on a gun. If he would not have gotten his hands on a knife he would have probably walked into that school with a hammer! Guns, knives, hammers ,frying pans and automobile, nothing but tools. It’s not the tool that kills others, it’s the person that uses them to kill. I will celebrate and know I contributed when I hear Dick’s is going out of business.?
Each business has the right to set their business to their ways good or bad. They also have the right to accept an own up to that path they act on. Simple to I will not go there or have part of any store that is anti American. So a question on their stand being so strong. Will the go against any person going into service under the age of 21 to protect our freedom an protect us. Just a question
They aren’t “anti american,” they are trying to save American lives. You people and your belief that getting rid of some guns or putting rules in place is a BAD thing is exactly what is wrong with our country.
Have not shopped at a Dicks store since last Feb. and will not in the future, if you like the big box stores try one that still sells firearms and is not trying to push the anti-gun agenda or better yet support the small gun stores, may have to pay slightly more but your money is not going to a company actively trying trample the 2nd Amendment.
“DICKHEAD” will not get a cent of my money and can go belly up as far as I’m concerned!!!
Dicks has made their marketing decision and it appears they will not back down. If I worked at Dicks I’d be looking for another job. I’m sure not setting foot in their store.
It is their right to take their business in any direction desired. It is our right to frequent locations that have our interests at heart. That is in essence the “greatness” of our country. I went into one of their stores recently. With arms full of items I approached the check stand. I set the items on the counter as the clerk began ringing them up. I then asked a question regarding their stance towards firearms. The clerk gave what I believe was a corporate response and the direction the company was taking. The items were rung up, a total cost was given and type of payment was asked. I replied that since they did not follow my beliefs I would frequent an establishment that had my interests at heart. I politely thanked the clerk and explained I would pass on any and all purchases. Complete silence. Unless we speak up our voice and views will not be recognized. Good luck and best wishes to us all.
Not a chance in hell that I will ever patronize Dick’s. The store is aptly named
They lost my business the day they went full retard and decided to not only pull inventory but to destroy it. Had I been an investor I would have sold everything. There are plenty of stores out there to chose from, I work hard for my money and prefer to spend it in a store that works hard for me, not against me.
I do not buy ANYTHING from Dicks because of their apparent hostility to law abiding citizens who keep and use guns and thereby supporting the agendas of criminals.
I will never walk into a Dick’s store again, as long as I live.
Hell in my opinion, Academy blows them away anyway!
I never liked Dick’s before they quit selling guns!
I agree, Academy is my store of choice. They are less expensive. New Dick’s in my town and I will never set foot in it.
I quit doing business there some time ago. My family and I will never go back there.
Dicks will never see my money.
I also stopped doing business with Dick’s over a year ago. Got a gift card for Christmas. I told my Daughter to return it!
None of my hard earned cash will be going to Dick’s; literally and figuratively!
Don’t forget Dickhead’s Socialist Goods also owns GOLF GALAXY…boycott ALL businesses owned by Dickhead’s Socialist Goods!!!
Stupid is as stupid does……Boycott!
I sure hope Dicks head aka Ceo has fashioned himself some real sharp plow blades out of the weapons he destroyed! This is just another example of what socialism looks like folks. All products of our public screwel systems that have been taken over by idiots. Every 2A supporter must vote with their wallets and voices.
Dicks ! What can we say! This country has more outdoor enthusiasm of people than baseball players, are you just stupid? Hunters and gun owners, are to big for you to mess with ! Just close your door! We don’t care anymore?
Dick’s lost my business when they destroyed guns that were in stock instead of returning them. I will NEVER shop at Dick’s and hope that they continue to lose business.
Dicks Sporting Goods was a feature story on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money. He said the decline in sales was do to Amazon.
He either doesn’t know or won’t reconize the fact that gun owners just quit buying everything from Dicks. I know I won’t even go close to Dicks even if they were giveing away AR’s. Just won’t do it.
Don’t forget they also own Field and Stream and Golf Galaxy and I will never shop at any of them again.
My opinion Dicks doesnt want sell guns very unamerican they should shut there Damn buisness down
The prick at Dick’s is signing his own downfall…the investors’ should throw that jackass out to the curbwith no , bonus , no benefits…Academy Sports is a much better store and much , much less expensive…the only thing Academy needs to change is it’s no return gun policy , you must instead send it off to the manufacturer , other than that , it’s where I buy my guns , ammo and shooting equipment…
Should change name to “Dick Head sporting goods “
The Dick’s store in Springfield, OH is closing because it lost so much business because of their corporate anti-Second Amendment policies. How many other Dick’s are closing?
“Thoughts and prayers are not enough,” he [Edward Stack] wrote in a widely shared statement after the Parkland shooting.
He also stated publicly that prayers “are nice, but they don’t do anything.” Actually, Mr. Stack, prayers and the right to self-defense are all we have against evil.
Question: How is it that Dick’s, a publicly traded company, does not lose its NYSE listing?
Publicly traded companies are required to act in the best interest of their shareholders. Intentionally taking a loss by destroying valuable inventory and taking a political stand that will knowingly cause a boycott of the business are violations of SEC regulations. Destroying property that belongs to someone else is another crime.
Since I do not hold any Dick’s stock, I cannot pursue damages, but anyone who does ought to seek remedy.
Kinda sad; but Dick’s will reap what it has sown. K-Mart used to be a great store and they, too, got out of the gun and hunt business. Look at them now. The Sports Center in Atlanta did the same thing and they are gone. Your big guys here now are Academy and they got guns, camp gear, hunt stuff and the like and every time I go there, those areas have lotsa people lookin’. I have bought a hunt rifle and shotgun there along with deer stands and camp gear. They will be around. Liked Dick’s, too. But the guy running the show is gonna do them in. You watch. One who does not learn the lessons of history will repeat the same mistakes. Nuff said…
Dicks lost my money a long time ago. I never purchased their high clothes or shoes. I can find better deals and better products elsewhere and online.
Every so often they would have deals on firearms and ammo that I would purchase. Once they pulled the “against the second amendment I stopped all business with them.
I will never go back!!!
Dick’s is fomenting its own demise. With both consumer and firearm companies pulling the plug on doing business with them for their political stance, it is no surprise that they withdraw completely from the firearm and related item market. And like others that have gone before them, like Sports Authority, their long term viability will suffer for the decisions of its CEO.
And just remember that Field & Stream stores are Dick’s owned as well, and a larger percentage of their floor space was dedicated to shooting sports, including archery. They should be boycotted as well!
Will never shop at dicks
I used to shop at Dick’s regularly. Ammo, fishing gear, paddling gear, camping gear, etc. I bought my kayak and most of my clothes there too. Nice store, but I will never shop there again. I stopped dealing with them, over a year ago. They can go to hell. Same goes for Levi Strauss. I am done with them too, for the same reasons. If I have to pay a bit more by shopping elsewhere, I will. We all must stand together for our 2A rights.
Support your local gun stores. Big box retailers who “dabble” in gun sales only hurt the small business owners (gun shops) who struggle to compete with them. Once the big box stores put the small business owners out of business and are the only game in town, they then have the ability to dictate the prices and selection available to you.
I will never again set foot in the store of such an anti-constitution ( = anti-American ) company, or any other like it.
Let’s all spend our hard-earned in stores that deserve our business.
I’ve only been in the store twice and neither time would buy anything. It never impressed me whatsoever.
I haven’t spent a penny or been in one of their stores since they decided to become the unamerican company they are. I’ve sent a couple emails to them about how disgraced myself and my family were about their actions to the ownership of firearms. I do wish for that store franchise to go bankrupt in the near future. There is plenty other stores that will fill that space. Never did I get any kind of response from their home contact page. I can foresee Dick’s falling just like Sports authority did.
With all the extra space once they stop selling guns and related items, they could put in a Starbuck’s cafe and maybe a meditation room…. that should bring back the prophets…
I was never a significant customer of Dicks prior to their ongoing foolishness. I certainly am not going to become a good customer now.
For you golfers out there , Dick’s also owns a company called golf galaxy. So this must be added to our list with dicks and field and stream as stores we refuse to do business with.
Maybe when this ceo gets fired and the companies go out of business ,other companies will know that we the law abiding citizens of the United States have had enough of there BS.
As a member of the NRA, I’d like to see the organization print [in every publication] a list of company’s such as Dick’s. Who needs them anyway. Most of the competition blows them away.
So long –DICK–
The reason they have dropping sales isn’t the products failure to sell.
It’s because true firearm enthusiasts know Dick’s sucks, and don’t buy from them.
Ya, Dick’s is an appropriately named business.
Send this communist company back to Russia where they belong. That coming from a 20 year vet. I spent 20 years defending our country and I hope my fellow Americans can show your support by joining those of us already boycotting this COMMUNIST company. P S wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I used to shop Dick’s for camping, golf, shooting, and shoes. I stopped shopping there when they began this 2nd amendment opposition. I will never spend another penny of my families money in any of their stores.
A national boycott is in order for Dicks, and Field and Stream. I am surprised the board of directors hasn’t called for Stacks head, for causing the company and stockholders to lose money. Stop making the law abiding gun owner their scapegoat for socialism/communism. That’s what
socialists/communist do, take the guns first.
I am just a old country boy and grew up hunting and bringing home game for Mamma to fix, then into the Military during Vietnam War, I had no ideal that it would be later known that it was all for protecting assholes like him so he could destroy and make decisions on others behalf because he does not care for this Country and also his shareholders, he is a disgrace to be an American, I will not shop Dicks’s, stand and be counted for as an American not a wossie.