I've always used their prices to gauge the "high retail" price of an item, One time i did manage to find a good-deal on a scope thats about it though, I usually buy the 200-pack of American Eagle .223 shells at Fleet Farm for $79 and EVERY time i've been to Gander they are $99, One-time i did mention to a salesperson and he matched fleet's price but not willingly,,
Im guessing they are trying to improve their numbers at that particular store or region,getting rid of 'slow-movers" decreases the "liabilities" (money sitting on the shelf) and decreases their "assets" (available cash to procure product).
There is a term in the product sales-business called a "turn-to-earn" ratio,, too boring to go into formula and details but basically you only want to stock as much as you ABSOULTELY need to keep your customers happy,while keeping your available "cash" available to procure products or expand other product lines as needed,it's a delicate balance i deal with on a daily basis,Unfortunately most of the "big-box" stores only staff their stores with marginally-educated personel so they end up doing "closeout's" on merchandise that SOMEBODY (who probaly isint in contact with actual customers) thought would sell,
If a small gun-shop orders "extra" product to sit on their shelves,it's probaly cause they KNOW their customers and can anticipate future sales correctly
Gander is a pretty large company with a vast-range of products so, i doubt they are "going out of business"
They just over-priced themselves out of a market ie:Re-loaders are usually price-driven consumers who focus on price-point versus "customer service" ,(they usually dont need some teeny-bopper to "assist" them in selecting a product) they know what they want, will usually shop where they get best price with minimal hassle.
I DREAD going to the check-out at our local store IF i do purchase something cause there's usually only 1-register open and you may get stuck behind 3-guys buying their turkey-permit's from a marginally-educated" clerk..