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Cabela's, a staple in the outdoor equipment world, has nurtured a strong following since its inception in 1961. Founded by Richard N. Cabela, the company began as a modest mail-order service for fishing flies. Over the decades, it grew substantially, opening brick-and-mortar stores that not only sell a wide range of hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear but also offer a unique shopping experience with elaborate store layouts featuring museum-quality displays of taxidermy and large aquariums.
The brand merged with Bass Pro Shops in 2017, yet it continues to operate under its own name, maintaining its reputation for quality and customer loyalty. Today, Cabela’s online presence, cabelas.com, competes in a saturated market where both specialized boutiques and general retailers vie for the attention of outdoor enthusiasts.
In this exploration, we'll look at how cabelas.com stacks up against its 19 competitors in the realm of online retail. We’ll delve into what each competitor offers and how they stand as a challenge or complement to Cabela’s offerings.
As the sister company to Cabela's following their merger, Bass Pro Shops shares a similar ethos and target audience, specializing in hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear. The overlapping product lines and shared resources between the two create a strong alliance in the outdoor retail sector.
Despite their partnership, basspro.com competes with cabelas.com by sometimes offering exclusive products, regional preferences, and differing customer loyalty programs which can sway customers to choose one over the other.
4.3 / 5
4.3 / 5
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is notable for its focus on a wide array of outdoor activities including camping, climbing, cycling, and more. Unlike Cabela's, which leans more towards hunting and fishing, REI attracts a broader spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts.
The cooperative structure of rei.com allows members to receive dividends and exert influence on company governance, creating a loyal customer base that appreciates both the gear and the community-centric business model.
Sportsman's Warehouse, similar to Cabela’s, offers a vast selection of outdoor and sporting goods, focusing heavily on hunting and fishing gear. Their competitive pricing and frequent promotions pose a direct challenge to cabelas.com.
Moreover, sportsmans.com has a strong regional presence in the Western United States, which competes for the same market share as Cabela’s in these areas.
3.3 / 5
Dick’s Sporting Goods presents a broader focus on general sports and outdoor activities, from golf and soccer to camping and fishing. Their wide reach and frequent discounts attract a diverse customer base.
While not as specialized in hunting or fishing as cabelas.com, dickssportinggoods.com competes by offering a one-stop-shop experience for families and casual enthusiasts who might need outdoor gear alongside sports equipment.
4.0 / 5
4.0 / 5
Academy Sports + Outdoors aligns closely with Cabela’s in terms of product offerings, particularly in hunting and fishing gear, but also includes a wide range of sports equipment.
Academy.com often undercuts competitors with aggressive pricing and promotions, directly challenging cabelas.com’s customer base with comparable products at often lower prices.
Gander Outdoors focuses on camping, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities. Their market approach is very similar to that of Cabela’s, making them a direct competitor.
They often feature a large inventory and competitive pricing, which can lure away customers looking for specific brands or better deals outside of cabelas.com.
Backcountry.com targets the more adventurous outdoor enthusiast with a strong emphasis on high-end apparel and gear for activities like mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding.
While they cater to a different segment of the market, backcountry.com competes with cabelas.com on the apparel and accessory front, especially in the premium segment.
3.6 / 5
OpticsPlanet specializes in high-quality optics such as binoculars, riflescopes, and night vision equipment, which are also key product categories for cabelas.com.
Their focus on niche, high-tech products and a knowledgeable customer service team presents a significant challenge to Cabela’s, especially among tech-savvy shoppers.
Sierra offers discounted overstock and closeout merchandise from major outdoor and sport brands, which appeals to budget-conscious consumers.
This pricing strategy can divert cost-sensitive customers from cabelas.com, making Sierra a potent competitor in the discount retail space.
Field & Stream, like Cabela’s, offers a specialized focus on hunting, fishing, and camping gear. They cater to a similar market, competing directly with cabelas.com for the dedicated outdoorsman.
Their emphasis on providing expert services and knowledge further intensifies the competition, appealing to consumers who value depth of information and specialist products.
4.0 / 5
4.0 / 5
Scheels excels in offering a broad array of sporting goods, including outdoor sports gear. Their large-format stores and extensive product range create a direct competition with cabelas.com.
Scheels also prides itself on community involvement and customer service, which can be a deciding factor for shoppers comparing similar products and prices at cabelas.com.
MidwayUSA is a specialist in shooting and hunting gear, directly competing with cabelas.com in these niches. They offer a significant amount of exclusive products and brands in the firearms and ammunition categories.
Their focus on these specific categories makes them a strong competitor for customers who prioritize a wide selection and expert knowledge in shooting sports.
4.0 / 5
Tractor Supply Co. caters primarily to the rural lifestyle, offering products ranging from farm equipment to outdoor clothing and hunting gear. While their focus is broader, they overlap with Cabela’s in the hunting and outdoor apparel categories.
Their strong presence in rural areas and their product range catering to a lifestyle rather than just a hobby makes tractorsupply.com a formidable competitor to cabelas.com in these regions.
3.3 / 5
3.3 / 5
Lowe’s, primarily known for its home improvement goods, also offers various outdoor living products and some camping gear. Their inclusion of these products puts them in indirect competition with cabelas.com.
Although not a direct threat in the specialized categories, lowes.com competes for the attention of homeowners who might also be outdoor enthusiasts, offering convenience and competitive pricing.
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
Costco Wholesale’s business model of selling a wide variety of goods at low prices due to bulk purchasing extends to some outdoor and sporting goods. This can attract Cabela’s customers looking for deals on bulk items or those who are already shopping at Costco for other needs.
Their sporadic but significant discounts on high-ticket items like kayaks or high-end camping gear can siphon off potential sales from cabelas.com, especially during key shopping seasons.
4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
Kohl’s offers a variety of clothing, accessories, and home goods, including a limited selection of outdoor apparel and gear. Their frequent sales and Kohl’s Cash incentives can attract a more general audience that might also shop at cabelas.com for specific items.
While not a core competitor, kohls.com does intersect with Cabela’s in the casual outdoor and activewear segments, competing on convenience and price.
3.8 / 5
3.8 / 5
Macy’s, primarily a department store focusing on fashion, also carries a range of activewear and some outdoor-related gear. Their broad customer base and seasonal sales can overlap with Cabela’s, especially in apparel.
macys.com competes with cabelas.com by offering stylish alternatives that might appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who are also looking for fashion-forward options.
GunBroker.com is an auction platform specializing in firearms and related accessories, directly competing with Cabela's in the firearms category.
Their marketplace model offers a wide variety of choices and competitive pricing, which can be attractive to cabelas.com customers looking for specific or hard-to-find items.
3.0 / 5
3.0 / 5
Poshmark’s model of allowing users to sell new or used fashion items includes some outdoor and sportswear. This can occasionally place poshmark.com in competition with cabelas.com, especially for customers looking for secondhand or budget-friendly outdoor apparel.
However, their focus on fashion and individual sellers provides a significantly different shopping experience, which may only occasionally compete with Cabela’s primary market.
