End of an Era: 71-Year-Old Firearms and Outdoor Distributor Big Rock Sports Files for Chapter 7 Liquidation

The relentless shift to online shopping and evolving consumer patterns have claimed another legacy player in the sporting goods industry. Big Rock Sports, LLC, a 71-year-old distributor specializing in firearms, fishing gear, and outdoor equipment, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leading to the termination of all 72 employees and the liquidation of its assets.

While not a consumer-facing brand, Big Rock Sports was a pivotal wholesale force, supplying over 200,000 products to more than 20,000 retailers across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Its history traces back to 1955 with the founding of All-Sports Supply in Portland, Oregon—an era of personal business relationships now largely eroded by digital commerce.

Industry data underscores the pressure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce as a share of retail sales has nearly doubled since 2017, reaching 15.8% in Q3 2025. Meanwhile, foot traffic analytics from Placer.ai show a 1.4% decline at recreational and sporting goods stores in 2024, even as overall retail traffic slightly increased.

"For much of its history, Big Rock operated in a world where distributors knew their retailers' families," said industry analyst Marcus Thorne. "That model couldn't withstand the double blow of digital disruption and the rise of direct-to-consumer brands."

The company's Canadian subsidiary, Big Rock Sport Canada, incorporated in 2011, is also included in the proceedings. Court documents indicate assets valued at approximately $65.1 million, but realizable value is expected to be significantly lower. Secured lender Regions Bank is unlikely to be fully repaid, with the company owing about $2.57 million in direct borrowings and $17.7 million in guaranteed debt.

Big Rock Sports joins a growing list of sporting goods failures, including Modell's, Olympia Sports, and the industry giant Sports Authority. Analysts point to a common thread: a failure to build a robust online presence while brick-and-mortar traffic dwindled.

"This isn't just about losing tennis ball sales," noted retail consultant Daniel Williams. "It's about losing the entire basket. When consumers go online for commodity items, they bypass the distributor-retailer ecosystem entirely. Brands that didn't master the 'clicks' side of business were sitting ducks."

Broader economic headwinds have also played a role. McKinsey & Company reports a recent surge in consumer pessimism regarding economic recovery, surpassing levels seen during the COVID-19 crisis, further squeezing discretionary spending in categories like outdoor equipment.

Reader Reactions:

Robert Chen, Small Business Owner (Fishing Tackle Shop): "This is devastating. Big Rock was my primary supplier for decades. Their catalog was unmatched. Finding replacements for specialized firearm parts and niche fishing lures will be a nightmare. It feels like the soul of the independent outdoor shop is dying with them."

Janice Powell, Retail Strategist: "A predictable, if tragic, outcome. The writing has been on the wall for distributors who acted as mere middlemen without adding digital value or exclusive brand partnerships. The BCG Matrix report is correct—the market is now fragmented with digitally-native challengers. Adaptation wasn't optional."

David "Ace" Miller, Outdoors Enthusiast (Forum Comment): "Good riddance! Maybe this will finally force the old-guard retailers and remaining distributors to get their act together. Their websites were from the dial-up era, and their inventory data was always wrong. I've been buying directly from manufacturers online for years. This 'collapse' is just the free market working."

Anya Sharma, Economic Researcher: "The data point about foot traffic declining specifically for sporting goods while overall retail rose is critical. It suggests a sector-specific ailment beyond general retail trends. Consumer interest in these activities may be changing, or the in-store experience is no longer compelling enough."

Related: Major Discount Chain Shutters All Stores Following Bankruptcy Protection

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 30, 2026. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.