Focus on Suppliers Tackles Outdoor Retail Category

The outdoor retail supplier category was featured on the latest episode of “Focus on Suppliers,” an 8th & Walton-produced show that airs weekly on local NBC affiliate, KNWA-TV.

On the program, several leading suppliers shared their experiences and insight into the industry.

Bruce Stanton, general manager of Pradco Outdoor Brands fishing division in Fort Smith, talks all-things fishing. Did you know that the fishing category in the United States includes 10 percent of the population? Stanton introduces us to Pradco’s fishing lures, as well as ways that companies and retailers can connect with consumers at the stores.

Nathan Gaudioso and David Leon of De-Fishing Soap in Encinitas, California, talk about how their product addresses a common problem: Removing the smell of fish from your hands. Leon and Gaudioso sold their product to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. by bringing a bucket of salmon, along with their product, to a meeting with the buyer. They also share how they scaled up their mom-and-pop business to national distribution.

Daisy Outdoor Products of Rogers is also featured, providing commentary on keeping products in stock during the holiday season.

The show also includes input from Trey Anson and Scott Andrews of Hayseed Ventures in Fayetteville. Anson and Andrews created a rugged backpack for outdoor enthusiasts.

Peggy Fowler, senior director of compliance at Walmart, discusses compliance in the hunting and fishing category. The category can get tricky, given the patchwork of laws governing some of the category’s items.

Suppliers must keep on top of these laws and regulations in order to help their buyer through the process of choosing items for Walmart to sell.

Finally, Kerry Bailey from Menasha Corp. in Bentonville talks about the importance of localization. Menasha has 28 locations in North America.

On the episode airing Dec. 12, “Focus on Suppliers” will present its annual countdown show for 2015.

It will recap the top-eight retail-relevant news stories of the year, along with commentary from industry leaders, including Gigwalk co-founder and chief technology officer, Matt Crampton of San Francisco.

“Focus on Suppliers” broadcasts Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 a.m. 8th & Walton is a Bentonville-based education and service provider for suppliers.

The outdoor industry episode aired Dec. 5, and is now streaming on YouTube and Vimeo, and is available as an iTunes podcast download.