Why We’re Pressing Pause
on E-Commerce to Double Down on Local
For more than two decades, Massey’s has been building on both sides of the retail frontier. We launched one of the earliest outdoor e-commerce sites in the late ’90s and were selling on Amazon’s marketplace in the early 2000s. We learned a ton, shipped a mountain of boxes, and served customers nationwide. But today, we’re stepping away from shipping orders and refocusing entirely on optimizing the in-store experience—because that’s where we create the most value for our community and our customers.
This isn’t a step backward. It’s us choosing the right path for who we are: a local outfitter that helps real people get the right gear, right now, from people who actually use it. Our mission has always been: “Your Adventure. Our Specialty.” and this decision extends that motto.
Massey’s is now powered by Locally Storefronts. Learn more here.
E-Commerce Changed. So Did Its Fit for Local Retail.
When we started, e-commerce felt like magic. It expanded our reach and gave customers access to hard-to-find products. Over time, though, the economics and expectations around shipping shifted in ways that don’t align with a specialty retailer’s strengths:
Shipping erodes the experience. A box on a porch can’t size a boot, fit a pack, or explain why this trail runner beats that one for your stride. Outdoor gear is tactile, technical, and personal—getting it right usually takes a conversation and a fitting, not a return label.
“Free and fast” isn’t free. As carriers added surcharges and returns ballooned, the real costs (and carbon costs) of shipping rose. Every box is packaging, fuel, and time our team isn’t spending installing, fitting, or sharing ideas.
Inventory gets fragmented. Shipping pulls the product away from the floor and the local community we serve. It makes it harder for the next shopper—who drove across town—to find exactly what they came for.
Race-to-the-bottom marketplaces devalue expertise. We’ve always believed the right advice beats the lowest algorithmic price. Competing in endless price loops pushes retailers to cut corners on the very services that make local shops essential.
In short: the more we tried to “win” shipping, the more we diluted what makes Massey’s Massey’s.
What We’re Doing Instead (And Why It’s Better)
We’re not abandoning convenience—we’re redefining it to match what our customers actually need.
Real-time local availability. On our site, you’ll see what’s in stock at your nearest Massey’s so you can plan with confidence. If you see it, we have it—right here, right now.
Reserve online, pick up in-store. Hold the item with a click, then swing by for fit, setup, and pro tips. You leave with gear that’s dialed for you—not a guess that might go back in a box.
Same-day solutions. Need it this weekend? We specialize in “I’m leaving Friday” problems. From fuel for your stove to a last-minute rain jacket for a local fest, we’re built for real-life timelines.
Local Delivery. If we have the item you need, but getting to a store is inconvenient, just choose local delivery as your checkout option. We’ll summon a driver to pick up your selection and bring it to your home or office in minutes. And, if it doesn’t work, just drop the item back off at your convenience for a refund.
Buy Online, Ship-to-Store (BOSS). A few of our suppliers understand that the last mile part of the sale - assembly, fitting, installation, delivery - are key to the shopper experience, and you will see an assortment of their products on our site that will ship to Massey’s, receive the required services and then be delivered or made available for pickup.
Expert fitting and service. Boots, packs, insoles, bikes —these are fit products. Our staff live this stuff. We’ll measure, adjust, install, mount, and teach.
Community over cartons. Every in-store purchase supports clinics, trail days, local events, and the knowledgeable jobs that make a specialty shop a community hub.
Why This Matters for You
Fewer returns, better trips. The right fit means fewer surprises on day two of your hike. Getting it right up front beats repacking and reordering.
Smarter spending. Advice helps you buy once, cry never. We’ll steer you away from the wrong product—even if it’s more expensive.
Instant gratification, zero porch risk. No waiting, no theft, no “out for delivery” anxiety. Come in, gear up, and go outside.
A Note on Sustainability
We love wild places. Cutting back on shipped parcels—especially one-item shipments and the boomerang of returns—reduces packaging waste and miles on trucks. It’s a small, practical way to match our daily operations with the outdoor values we talk about.
“But I Live Far Away…”
We get it. For years, shipping has enabled us to serve adventurers far beyond Louisiana. If you’re traveling through, we’d love to see you in person—come in for a boot fit or a tune. If you’re not nearby, we’ll still help: call the shop, tell us your trip, and we’ll point you to the right gear and a trusted local retailer in your area. Good advice travels even when boxes don’t.
How to Shop Massey’s Going Forward
Check local availability on our site. See what’s on the floor before you drive.
Reserve for in-store pickup. Lock it in with your name; we’ll have it ready.
Get fitted and set up. Leave confident—and excited to use your gear tonight.
Come back for service. Need a tweak? We’re here after the sale, too.
Why This Choice Is True to Our Roots
Pioneering e-commerce in the ’90s and selling on Amazon in the early 2000s taught us a lot about convenience. But the lesson we value most is this: the best shopping experience for outdoor gear still happens face-to-face. The conversations, the try-ons, the problem-solving, the tune-ups, the “hey, have you tried this trail?”—that’s the magic. That’s where we can be great, not just good.
So we’re pouring our energy back into the floor, the fitting bench, the service shop, and the community events that make this place special. If you’ve shopped with us online before, thank you. If you’ve never stepped into a Massey’s, we can’t wait to meet you.
See what’s in stock, reserve what you need, and swing by (or request delivery). We’ll get you geared up—properly—and back outside where you belong.