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THE IDEA OF "EVERYDAY CARRY" - literally, the category of life including things you or your customers carry on your person, every day - has exploded over the past few years. A quick trip around the Interwebs will demonstrate a proliferation of sites dedicated to discussing and debating not only gear but also how to carry it. You'll find out about gear you've never heard of, innovations of gear you thought had no innovation left to give and, of course, the hacks.
You know, the clever customizations you can do to/with your gear to make it even more useful. Ironically, despite all the chatter about simplifying and making things lighter, we seem to be carrying more than ever.
Picture if you will the stereotypical stuff a man puts on top of his dresser after a day of work: There's usually a wallet, mobile device, set of keys and a pocket knife. There's also a gun (and a holster), a reload and maybe a flashlight, too. Add a pen and a watch and thaťs 10 items. And we haven't even included a multi-tool, the ubiquitous black notebook, laptop or tablet and any papers or business materials. So it's not surprising there are so many briefcases, messenger bags and other means to carry it all in. We're running out of pockets! But women use similar gear, as well. Thankfully, much of it can be carried in a purse or bag of some kind - and there are a number of manufacturers in this category providing womenspecific products.
Do Your Research
While you're online learning about all the latest trends in everyday carry, remember your customers are doing the same. As such, make sure your store website is up to today's standards: It should be responsive, mobile-friendly and updated with the products you carry. (Shooting Industry has profiled trusted companies providing these services).
Joshua Claflin, firearms and outdoor marketing strategist with the Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based firm Garrison Everest, says, "According to several consumer studies, prospective buyers will complete over 70 percent of the sales process online before making the decision to buy - or...