Bass Pro Shops Named No. 2 Hottest Retailer

Bass Pro Shops has been named the number two hottest retailer in America by the National Retail Federation (NRF)—the world’s largest retail trade association representing more than 18,000 companies from the United States and more than 45 countries.

The position put the company ahead of some of the nation’s premier retail giants, including Amazon, PetSmart, IKEA, Verizon and others. Firearms, ammunition and accessories are featured in each store, a tradition that continued in 2017 as it joined forces with Cabela’s to offer the “best-of-the-best” shopping experience for outdoor enthusiasts.

“Bass Pro has made regular appearances in the Hot 100, but none as high as this year’s No. 2 ranking after completing a prolonged acquisition of Cabela’s last September,” the NRF said in announcing members of the annual list.

“Our company is guided by the principles of genuinely friendly service and quality products and experiences offered at an exceptional value each and every time,” said destination retail pioneer, founder and leader Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris. “This recognition is a tribute to all of our remarkable and passionate outfitters who work hard every day to make sure every customer experience is a positive one.”

Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 when Morris, an avid young angler, began selling tackle on eight square feet of shelf space in his father’s liquor store in Springfield, MO. Today, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s welcome more than 200 million visitors annually to its 200 retail and marine center locations across North America.

The stores cover a wide variety of outdoor sports and many offer fully rigged boats for sale. Shooting enthusiasts will be more interested in the Cabela’s Gun Library centers, however, which are found at a variety of locations nationwide and provide first-hand glimpses of rare and collectible guns, as well as modern firearms for sale.

Bass Pro Shops also has a unique partnership with the NRA National Firearms Museum. In addition to the museum's flagship location at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, VA, the museum system also features a second location: the National Sporting Arms Museum located at the Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO.