Tell us about the history of your company.

 

RAS Tactical began for me as a young child.  I have been working in my family’s store, Trader John’s Outpost in South Elgin, IL, since it opened in 1981. Trader John’s opened about 5 years post-Vietnam, when the backlash from the war closed many Army Surplus stores. There was an opportunity to fill a void in the market. Mostly the store was started on a whim, more of a pawn shop, with a few extra pieces of military gear that my dad had collected. My dad, Jim Bobik, opened Trader John’s Outpost in one small unit of a burned-out strip center he rebuilt. I grew up learning the surplus business from him. I am fortunate to have a Dad who allowed me to take on any challenge, adding direction when needed, but giving me enough room to be in command of my own destiny.  By the age of 11 years old, I was buying and selling surplus military vehicle parts throughout the country as well as internationally. My dad would always give me the support I needed to learn the business, whether it was going to spot bid military auctions, trade shows, or dealing with wholesalers, as well as retail customers. 

 

I opened my version of an Army Surplus store, Rockford Army Surplus in 2015. I found a huge 3 story factory building that was just begging to be converted into my store. The size of this factory building allowed me to purchase and warehouse a large amount of surplus, something we never had room for at Trader John’s. When I opened my store almost 10 years ago, surplus was going through another change. This time, they were not closing because of backlash from an unpopular war. Instead, a combination of factors such as the availability of cheap and plentiful army surplus, along with the expanding online retailer market. RAS Tactical was created from a necessity to make sure my retail store succeeded, I needed to find and warehouse the absolute best deals in surplus. In addition to surplus, I was able to supplement with new manufactured goods.  My stores smaller size gave me the agility needed to get the right product to market in the quickest amount of time, and having my own sales floor allows me to see exactly what is selling and what products are needed. Because of my development of RAS Tactical, I am able to provide a better quality product at a more competitive price to both my wholesale customers and my own retail store. 

 

What products do you offer and what are your top sellers?

 

RAS Tactical offers both military surplus items and commercially manufactured items. Our newest product is the Israeli M15 military gas mask.  RAS Tactical was able to negotiate a deal on one of the last remaining lots of M15 Adult size gas masks that Israel released. They are even still sealed in their original plastic bags! We are also proud to introduce an RAS Tactical exclusive, our snow digital camo sets, which include the best design features found in 4 different countries’ uniforms. As well as a unique snow digital pattern that allows for better camouflaging, not just for the naked eye, but also for today’s digital scopes. 

 

Are there any new or unique products coming up?

 

RAS Tactical is extremely excited to give your readers a sneak peek at our latest product, the only commercially available tactical boonie hat. This hat has the functionality of a standard boonie hat, with tactical upgrades.  We have added Velcro panels on the front, top, and rear of the hat, for your IR markers, name, blood type, rank patches, etc… The best part of our new tactical boonie hat for retailers is they are one-size adjustable! This means less inventory to carry, easier restock, higher turnover and more profit.  They are featured in this month’s issue!

What types of stores carry your products and why do dealers choose you? 

 

RAS Tactical is proud to have many unique products to offer dealers.  Our product is designed and/or procured and priced using over 40 years of retail experience. We strive to provide our dealers with tested and proven, easy to sell merchandise, while maintaining a great margin. RAS Tactical’s product line will do well in any military surplus, security/first responder supply, firearms dealer, and any outdoor adventure gear store.  RAS Tactical welcomes new dealers of all sizes. We have a modest $300.00 minimum order requirement, and need a copy of a valid reseller’s license, to create an account. This is necessary to prevent direct to consumer purchasing, protecting our dealers. We ship most orders within 24 hours, and we do limit online sales to dealers’ own web sites, no third party amazon or eBay sales. Ordering is available via email, or my preference, a simple phone call. RAS Tactical is working on an upgraded website, hopefully available for online wholesale orders soon.  We have also instituted a MAP policy, of at least 40% margin. I do this to protect our brick-and-mortar retail dealers. 

 

What challenges have you seen recently in your industry and what are you doing to overcome them?

 

Challenges to the military surplus market are nothing new.  From wars to pandemics, housing crashes to high inflation. Military surplus is uniquely able to adapt to every challenge faced today and in the future.  In fact, due to the merchandise we offer, military surplus tends to do better when the rest of the market is in turmoil. Some of the biggest issues facing RAS Tactical this past year have been over logistics and supply, constantly increasing costs, labor shortages, and a myriad of ever-increasing gov’t restrictions and regulations. RAS Tactical has been fortunate to have a large enough facility to house our wholesale products, buying when items are plentiful and reasonably priced, which allows us to have more in-stock products, and better pricing. This also gives our dealers an advantage, not having to buy too much inventory, knowing our commercially available products will be available, essentially using our facility as their back room. Overhead is another big concern in any business, especially a retail store in today’s environment. RAS Tactical was able to cut overhead by repurposing an older factory building, which allows us to maintain a competitive price for our dealers, as well as our retail customers. 

What advice do you have for independent retailers facing the same challenges?

 

The military surplus store again has a distinct advantage over other retail stores. Forget the old adage “location, location, location”. If you focus on providing the best quality product at the best pricing with great service, and work to provide that surplus store feel, you can use what I call grade “B” real estate. This will save you money.  No need to pay a premium for that location on the corner of Main and Busy Street. Military surplus stores are a destination business. The customers will seek you out, from not only the city in which you are located, but from your surrounding area and even internationally!  At Rockford Army Surplus I spent much time and effort decorating and displaying merchandise to give my store that museum feel. Customers have to go to the big box stores for everyday items. They generally are in a hurry and leave unhappier than they arrived. Military surplus stores are different, people visit because they want to, and you need to make sure your store offers that little extra. Things like unique displays, excellent product, and competitive pricing to keep them coming back. If you are lucky enough to grow up in an army surplus business, you will see this in your customer base. I have had customers come in as kids, who now bring their children in to experience the military surplus store. It has been said Army surplus stores are a dying breed.  I disagree, there is a place in America’s heart for Army surplus. Army surplus has a certain magic, and if you capture that magic, you will be a destination for as long as you choose to own your store. 

 

Company name: RAS Tactical

Company address: 2305 Charles St, Rockford, IL 61104

Company telephone: 815-904-6672

Name and email of contact person: David Bobik

Company email:  sales@rastactical.com