1. Define Bass Pro Shops' targeting strategy. Does the chain provide a truly differentiated experience?
2. Describe how Bass Pro Shops became the nation's leading outdoor retailer based on the retail marketing mix.
3. It terms of the major types of retailers, how would you classify Bass Pro Shops?
4. Why is Bass Pro Shops succeeding while Cabela's is floundering?
5. Is it a good idea for Bass Pro Shops to acquire Cabela's? Explain.
Outdoor-products mega retailer Bass Pro Shops has built an empire by seemingly breaking the rules of retail. With more than 90 retail stores throughout the United States and Canada, the privately-held Springfield, Missouri-based company reeled in $4.3 billion in revenues last year-nearly $50 million per store-making it the nation's number one outdoor-products retailer. Going against common retail wisdom, Bass Pro Shops stores are enormous and packed to the rafters with overhead. Even more daring, the chain has achieved retail success by targeting customers who hate to shop. The typical Bass Pro Shops customer is a reclusive male outdoorsman who yearns for the great outdoors but detests jostling crowds and shopping. Bass Pro Shops has accomplished this impossible task by executing a two-hook strategy: delivering unparalleled variety of product under one roof and creating a retail experience that basically amounts to a natural history theme park?