Each store has its buyer, either at the store or in the region.

 

Each store has statistical data on what sells and what does not sell. The buyers use this data to purchase fishing equipment along with any promototional items the manufacturers and distributors grant the stores.

 

A local Walmart around my house has a great catfish selection as catfishing in the Historic James River is strong. Another Walmart in the county has a better bass and bream selection.

 

If you want more bass fishing products ask to speak with the store manager and ask the manager to discuss the situation with his buyers to consider your request.

Like someone mentioned its likely a regional thing and probably also depends on who's managing the store. The 2 stores near me seem to have done their research in what the customers really want for both fresh and saltwater stuff.

Comparing dsg to cabelas/bps/gandermtn is like comparing apples to oranges. The offer a wide range of sporting goods its not a whole store devoted to the outdoors like the others.

One of guys that I fish with is a retied Walmart store manager, he has told me it's up to the individual manger to order stock.  Whether that procedure is still in force, I don't know.  When I first moved to Florida my local Walmart was fairly well stocked with both fresh and saltwater gear, rods and reels were dismal however.  Year by year the fishing section has deteriorated quite a bit with less offerings, it serves the purpose for a quick fill in on the something.

Not sure if this has been mentioned in this thread, but I've heard rumors that Dick's is planning open an outdoor retail chain under the "Field and Stream" name to compete with BPS, Gander Mtn. and Cabela's. 

This topic almost sounds dirty...lol

Hootie

x2 a few of these posts could be interpreted the wrong way. 

theres a DSG about 45 min away in freehold, and it has a very good fishing area, it has atleast 12 aisles just for lures, plastics, terminal tackle, line, etc. and that doesnt even count the rod section, but it still like BPS just because they have everything you could need, but then again my closest BPS is like 2.5 hours away, i mostly use TW

Mine has a great fishing section.. I don't complain if they don't have what I want. Then I'm the computer getting what I need..

My local dicks has a pretty good selection. half the upstairs is all fishing stuff but a lot of it is low end. I much prefer acedemy