Everyone Loves Buttons® would like to focus our August customer spotlight on Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops, the number one outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. Cabela’s is a store that provides a unique shopping experience for the consumer. Cabela’s not only showcases items but it also provides an enhanced customer service experience with its wildlife museum and educational elements.
I recently visited one of the stores and although I am not a big outdoors person, I was very impressed by what it had to offer. Cabela’s acquired Bass Pro shops in 2017 and has since become the world leader in the hunting, fishing and outdoor gear space. This includes $3.8B in sales revenue from internet, mail order and 153 retail stores.
The wildlife educational component involves many stuffed animal exhibits that give insight into how each species exists in its natural habitat. It is an amazing sight and gives visitors, especially those with small children, an enjoyable experience. The eye-catching sights of the store include stuffed mammals and fish that cover the walls. Also, there are many plaques with detailed information.
After walking through the hunting apparel section, I noticed there was even a small aquarium. Cabela’s even takes the extra step to provide information on conservation when it comes to fishing or choosing which kinds of fish to buy.
One exhibit called Conservation Mountain includes a pond with live fish at the bottom. As the escalator ascends, you are able to see animals hidden in little caverns while children play in a cavity below. No detail is omitted when it comes to store displays or merchandising. Pinback custom buttons for store employees are part of their branding efforts.
One can witness a plethora of store employees exuberantly talking to customers about the latest fishing gear. You can really see the passion their employees have about the products they are selling and, of course, it is evident that they are very knowledgeable.
Cabela’s even contains an indoor archery range that is a place where people can actually use bows and arrows. This provides a wonderful opportunity to “try before you buy”.
The second floor smells like cinnamon and there is a general store that sells roasted almonds as well as over a dozen different types of fudge and roasted almonds. I had to go inside and purchase some because they looked (and tasted) so delectable!
Cabela’s is enormous, and you may get hungry for a snack or even a meal. Good thing Cabela’s Deli & Grill has you covered. They have a fairly expansive list of meat sandwiches and appetizers that would satisfy any craving. The rest of the top floor has toys for children and an abundant shoe selection. The Bargain Cave has items that are discounted that are not on the floor.
The history of Cabela’s is a rather interesting one. The corporate office is housed in a 250,000 square foot warehouse and it is ironic to think that it started with very humble roots. In 1961 Dick Cabela came up with a plan to sell fishing flies he purchased while attending a furniture show in Chicago. After a couple of rounds
of rewritten newspaper ads, one of which was placed in a national outdoor magazine, orders started flying in from men and women around the country. Dick and his wife Mary ran their business from their kitchen table and it wasn’t until three years later (when the business started to grow) that they moved it to their family member’s business basement. Dick and Mary took no salary during the early years during its early growth phase so that they could reinvest profits for new equipment, bigger facilities and mailings.
Although Cabela’s main source of revenue comes from its world famous catalog business, they have shown huge online growth. Their site was first launched in 1998 which was actually one year after our own company Everyone Loves Buttons® began. Cabelas has positioned itself as the go-to source for reasonably priced, high-quality outdoor equipment.
Cabela’s also has its own credit card (you can even earn points to redeem for merchandise), a magazine called Outfitter Journal as well as award-winning television shows that are not only educational but also brand-building. In addition, there are also corporate sponsorships for competitive fisherman.
Cabela’s (CAB) went public in 2004 and the stock value increased 40% during the initial trading period, becoming one of the most successful Wall Street debuts in more recent history.
Cabela’s continues to embrace the original philosophy that the customer is No. 1 – not unlike our very own Everyone Loves Buttons®.
Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by angler Johnny Morris on eight-square-feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today Bass Pro Shops is part of Cabela’s 200 retail and marine center locations across North America.
Just like Dick Cabela, Johnny had the same passion for the outdoors together the merged brands were a perfect match, offering top quality products with superior shopping experiences.
In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s offering superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Together these brands totally transformed the industry.
More than 200 million visitors go to these stores more than 200 million visitors annually. It is interesting to that that each location is tailored to reflect its geographical region. In addition to giant aquariums with live fish and mounted wildlife (and dioramas), many locations feature unique restaurants and ocean-themed bowling alleys.
It is very evident that together Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops are much more than a superbrand and a bunch of retail stores. ELB produces different promotional buttons for both stores. Both Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops represent a lifestyle and their successes are outcomes of adhering to a core philosophy, never wavering. Also, their firm commitment to employees is demonstrated by rewarding them with a generous employee benefit package.
Whether you own a large corporation like Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops, have a small business or work for a company. We got you covered. We welcome all of your business and can fulfill your custom button needs here at Everyone Loves Buttons®.
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