Sportsman’s Warehouse Signals Potential Closures for Underperforming Stores

Lean Thomas

Sportsman’s Warehouse may close stores after identifying a list of underperforming locations
CREDITS: Wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sportsman’s Warehouse may close stores after identifying a list of underperforming locations

Strategic Review Uncovers Profitability Gaps (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)

Midvale, Utah – Sportsman’s Warehouse disclosed plans to evaluate closing around five underperforming stores as part of its latest financial review.

Strategic Review Uncovers Profitability Gaps

The company highlighted these locations in its fiscal year 2025 earnings release, noting their lack of profitability amid broader operational assessments.

Sportsman’s Warehouse operates 148 stores across 32 states, with a strong presence in the West. California hosts 17 outlets, Washington 14, and Utah 13, including the headquarters near Salt Lake City. The retailer specializes in firearms alongside hunting, fishing, and camping gear.

Executives emphasized the need to address these specific sites to strengthen overall performance. No details emerged on the exact stores targeted. The announcement reflects careful portfolio management in a competitive landscape.

Retail Sector Grapples with Store Reductions

Physical store cutbacks have become commonplace across industries. Outdoor specialists face particular pressure from evolving consumer habits.

Camping World reported a net loss of 10 locations in 2025, involving consolidations at 17 sites, according to its investor update. Eddie Bauer recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to shutter all U.S. and Canadian stores, as detailed in coverage from last month.

Other chains followed suit. GameStop announced closures for 2026 in select states, while Walgreens targeted locations amid layoffs, per reports.

Shift to Digital Drives Changes

The pandemic accelerated a long-term pivot to e-commerce, prompting retailers to shrink brick-and-mortar footprints since the 2010s. Health restrictions kept shoppers home, boosting online sales dramatically.

Sportsman’s Warehouse maintains a strong digital platform to complement its physical network. This dual approach helps capture demand in a fragmented market.

Encouraging Sales Momentum Persists

Same-store sales rose 1% in fiscal 2025, marking the first gain since 2020. This uptick signals resilience despite isolated store struggles.

Leadership views targeted closures as a way to reallocate resources toward higher-performing assets. Investors welcomed the transparency in the earnings statement.

Key Takeaways

  • Sportsman’s Warehouse pinpointed five stores for review based on profitability metrics.
  • The retailer boasts 148 locations, concentrated in western states like California and Utah.
  • Industry-wide closures reflect e-commerce growth, yet the company posted positive same-store sales.

Sportsman’s Warehouse demonstrates adaptability by trimming underperformers while leveraging sales gains and online channels. This strategy positions the outdoor retailer for sustained viability in a transforming market. What impact do you see from these retail shifts? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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