Dive Shop 360 Blog

Which Dive Shop Products Should You Sell?

Written by Dive Shop 360 | Dec 4, 2024 10:30:00 AM

The scuba diving product market will hit $8.1 billion by 2035, a clear sign that divers want (and will continue to seek) quality dive gear. 

When you stock up on essential dive shop products like beginner snorkels and the latest underwater cameras, divers will come to think of you as their go-to place for everything they need.

Explore our must-have supplies for every well-stocked dive center, as well as some easy tips for organizing your inventory with an all-in-one point of sale (POS) system — so you never run out of the things your customers want most.

Essential Diving Gear

A big part of building a successful dive store is aiming for repeat business. 

Filling your shelves with essential tools from trusted brands like Mares, Scubapro, Aqua Lung, and Zeagle encourages customer loyalty and promotes word-of-mouth referrals throughout the dive community. Here are some of the most important dive store products to keep in stock. 

Masks and Snorkels

Masks and snorkels are foundational items every diver needs to get the most out of their underwater adventure. Keep a wide variety of both, including single-lens masks to provide a wider field of vision, dual-lens masks for divers who need prescription options, beginner-friendly snorkels for ease of use, and dry snorkels for veteran divers. 

Fins

Fins make underwater swimming easier and less tiring. Open-heel fins, worn with boots, are ideal for colder water and rugged conditions, while full-foot fins, which fit like shoes, are lighter and suitable for warm-water divers.

Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs)

A BCD helps divers control their buoyancy, keeping them stable in the water. Always maintain a supply of comfortable jacket-style BCDs, perfect for new divers, and back-inflate BCDs, which allow for easier movement and are often preferred by seasoned divers. 

Safety and Navigation Equipment

For divers, safety and navigation equipment are non-negotiable. Carrying the right dive shop products from reliable brands like Suunto and Garmin supports safer dive adventures and builds trust with your customers. From dive computers to navigation tools, these items help divers feel prepared for any environment:

Dive Computers

Dive computers track depth, time, and other critical data, helping divers stay within safe limits. Provide various options to customers, like entry-level models with simple interfaces and basic data for beginners and advanced computers with multi-gas capabilities for technical divers. 

Dive Lights

Dive lights are designed for night diving and exploring low-light environments like subaquatic caves or crevices. Offering a variety of lights, from compact handhelds to high-powered models, means customers can find the right brightness level and size for their dive style. 

Compasses and GPS Devices

When navigating underwater, divers need dependable tools to avoid getting lost or trapped, providing them with peace of mind in challenging or unfamiliar dive locations. Stock items like compasses that allow divers to stay on course, and GPS devices to help them locate specific dive sites. 

Specialty Equipment

Adding specialty items to your selection sparks interest in your store and appeals to everyone from hobbyists to experienced divers. Stock items that let divers capture marine life up close or dive into spearfishing adventures — giving your shop a trendy edge that builds excitement with the local diving community.

Underwater Cameras and Accessories

Divers love capturing the magic of their dives, fueling an underwater photography market worth around $6 billion and still growing. Tap into this trend by selling cameras for all skill levels, from beginner models to high-performance options. Offer essentials like protective housings, lighting kits, and mounts to help divers get the right shot.

Dive Knives and Tools

Divers can often experience life-threatening situations under the water. Dive knives feature corrosion-resistant blades and high-grip handles, so divers can clear tangled lines, cut through vegetation, or perform quick equipment repairs underwater. Keep plenty of choices in stock, like sheathed safety knives, compact multi-tools, and line cutters.

Spearfishing Equipment

If you’re located somewhere where spearfishing is a favorite pastime, you’ll need to carry gear specific to the sport. Make sure you stock durable spearguns with high-grip handles, versatile pole spears, and accessories like slings and replacement tips. 

Apparel and Accessories

The right apparel and accessories help divers look the part and keep them safe and comfortable, whether plunging into warm, tropical waters or braving the cold. Load your inventory with the following pieces to give your customers the best dive experience.

Wetsuits and Drysuits

Wetsuits are perfect for mild to warm waters, but drysuits offer better protection for cold dives. They keep divers dry and add a layer of insulation against chilly waters. Carry a range of thicknesses, from 2mm for balmy days to 7mm for cooler conditions. This will let your customers choose what works best for their dive location. 

Rash Guards and Dive Skins

Keep a variety of rash guards and dive skin options available to offer lightweight protection for divers. These essentials shield against UV rays during tropical dives and add an extra layer of comfort under wetsuits, making them a must-have for your scuba store.

Dive Bags and Storage

Quality dive bags hold critical diving items and make trips to the dive site hassle-free. Provide customers with options like compact dry bags for valuables, spacious gear bags for full kits, and mesh bags for quick rinsing and drying.

Managing Inventory With a POS System

A well-designed POS system helps you organize dive shop products and provides valuable insights into sales and customer preferences. The right software lets you: 

  • Improve stock control: Monitor the sales of high-demand items like dive computers or wetsuits. For example, if certain wetsuit sizes sell out frequently in winter, you can restock those sizes before peak demand hits, keeping customers happy and increasing sales.

  • Make seasonal adjustments: Use sales data to track trends across different seasons. If dive lights and compasses surge in popularity before dive travel season, adjust your inventory to accommodate these shifts. This helps you maintain the right supply for changing customer needs.

  • Manage supplier relationships: Simplify reordering by setting up supplier profiles with reorder points and lead times. If dive masks from a popular brand consistently sell out, you can set up automatic reorders to prevent stockouts and guarantee your shop always has core products available.

  • Reduce overstock and stockouts: Your POS data can help you quickly spot slow-moving items like niche accessories or specific fin styles. Adjust inventory levels to focus on bestsellers, avoid excess stock, and make sure the essentials are always available.

  • Build customer loyalty: Analyze purchase histories to understand customer preferences. For example, if your customers frequently buy entry-level snorkels, consider offering loyalty discounts on advanced models to encourage return visits and build long-term customer relationships.

With these POS features, managing inventory becomes less of a chore and more of a strategic tool. You can simplify your dive shop's operations and focus on delivering the products your diving community relies on.

Take Control of Your Inventory With Dive Shop 360

Keeping the right supplies on hand helps your shop become the place divers rely on, whether they’re picking up a snorkel or investing in a high-end wet suit. Stock essentials, specialty items, and durable apparel so customers find the dive shop products they need.

Need a hand organizing and tracking your merchandise? Try Dive Shop 360. Track goods as they move, set up automatic reorders, and keep your shop organized with minimal effort.

Book a demo with Dive Shop 360 today! Take the guesswork out of inventory management and keep your store ready with the gear divers want.