Dickson City Since the Fourth of July falls on a Friday, Chuck Karam expects Bulldog Fireworks to see consistent sales.
Karam, who owns the store on Business Route 6, stated that people will be able to enjoy all weekend long.
According to Karam, business increased when the calendar turned to summer, despite the fact that the spring’s gloomy weather kept many consumers away.
“People are starting to move around now that it’s sunny,” he remarked.
Karam noted that depending on the day of the event, the amount of sales around Independence Day changes greatly.
He stated that there would be good traffic on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
In particular, Karam stated that when the holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday rather than a Tuesday or Wednesday, profits are usually around 20% greater.
The American Pyrotechnics Association estimates that the yearly economic impact of fireworks sales in the United States is more than $2 billion. Furthermore, according to the group, Americans detonated 295.3 million pounds of fireworks last year, which is almost 20% more than the 246.5 pounds that were set off in 2023.
Karam emphasized that Bulldog Fireworks was largely spared from extra costs on goods imported from China this year, allowing the store to maintain flat prices despite its ongoing inventory expansion.
According to him, we were lucky enough to get our items ahead of schedule and were able to mostly dodge the levies. Before the tariffs were imposed, we were able to get approximately 75% of our purchase. Would you believe that some individuals paid 145%? You can’t continue your business.
Karam doesn’t think the silent spectacles will become commonplace, even while pyro drone light shows offer bright displays without the loud noise.
“I don’t think they’ll ever replace fireworks, even though they’re really cool,” he remarked. America has a tradition of using fireworks.
According to Steve Houser, the National Fireworks Association’s president from 2019 to 2023, lighting components are an improvement but won’t become popular as stand-alone events.
According to Houser, “I’ve seen drones and fireworks in shows, and that’s really cool. They blend well together.” And all I’ve seen are drones; you don’t get the boom or explosion, which is an automatic reaction. After five minutes of watching a drone show, you’ve seen everything they’re capable of. It quickly becomes monotonous. Drones can never take the place of fireworks, in my opinion. The impression is simply different.
Since over 90% of the products at Bulldog Fireworks have a QR code on the packaging that connects to screens within the stores, technological developments enable customers to see products in advance before purchasing them.
According to Karam, in the past, you would wonder what a box did when you looked at it. You see what it does today before you buy it.
The industry has also changed as a result of modifications pertaining to product power.
In contrast to some of the more sophisticated fireworks that are currently on the market, Karam, 58, remembers setting off bottle rockets when he was younger.
He replied, “When we were kids, we had little rockets that went up and made a little spark.” We had a winner if there was even the slightest spark. It seemed like you hit a home run as you sent it into the air. They’ve got rocket packs now. The material is so awesome today. After forty years, the technology and the industry changed along with everything else. As long as it’s done safely, it’s a lot of fun. We advise everyone to use the product responsibly while still enjoying it.
Every year, Bryan Heal, the proprietor of Springbrook Fireworks in Pittston Township, observes that the majority of his patrons are searching for mortar shells and 500-gram repeater cakes.
According to Heal, there are always new ones every year, and the mortar shells get bigger and more powerful. Now they make rings and whistle. It’s not just the standard hues. It’s more sophisticated.
With the Fourth of July, Heal anticipates a 15% increase in sales.
“People are coming in,” he added, adding that May was difficult due to all the rain.
After operating a display firm for a number of years, Houser, a full-time professional in the field for more than 20 years, made the switch to consumer fireworks in 2007. He observed that this year’s Fourth of July sales remained higher than normal for a longer period of time.
“I import, wholesale, and distribute fireworks for consumers nationwide, and sales have been very strong in the consumer arena,” he stated. We have to distribute everything so that our clients and retailers have their stuff, but we’re still really busy, so this is the time of year when a guy like me has essentially calmed down from our hectic periods. It appears that everyone is doing incredibly well from the perspective of the consumer. Demand is constantly increased because individuals have several days off and are permitted to shoot on those days all throughout the nation.
The significant fireworks advancements have also impressed Houser, who frequently visits the key production sites.
He said, “It’s a huge leap.” I spend two to three weeks in China four or five times a year, so I spend a lot of time there with the factories. There is a lot more variation in the effects and color quality they can create now than there was a decade ago. The chemists that work there are the ones who make this material safer and safer. Since almost everything is done by hand, it’s truly incredible that they are as skilled at it as they are.
Little trucks, tanks, vehicles, and boats are becoming increasingly common and well-liked, according to Houser, even if the biggest booms garner the majority of attention.
“They’re fireworks now, and many of them are made with plastic molds, so after the firework part is over, they get a little toy they can play with in the sandbox,” he said, explaining why kids enjoy them. It’s similar to the gift that never stops giving.
Karam also realized that people of all ages and demographics enjoy seeing fireworks.
People from all walks of life, from blue-collar workers to executives, lawyers, and politicians, have a passion for fireworks, ranging in age from four to eighty, he said. Fireworks are a universally enjoyed activity.
