A local fireworks distributor here in Missouri told me they've had a giant dip in sales this year.
Last year on July 4th, they sold well over $4,000 worth of fireworks before noon.
This year, sales have dropped to $300 in sales before noon.
Has the internet killed fireworks?
Everyone is on their phone. You walk down the street, and every single person is staring at their phone. Why? Because everything, and everyone is on it.
You can go into VR and see the most insane firework shows directly from your couch, essentially for free.
Are the regulations cities put on shooting fireworks killing the industry?
Anyone that lives in a city knows you can't just shoot off big fireworks. You can do the tiny kid stuff, but what fun is that? Some cities won't even allow you to sell fireworks inside city limits, forcing everyone to drive to the outside of town to buy fireworks. Some cities don't even allow you to own fireworks AT ALL!
Or maybe since there are so many big firework shows on the 4th, everyone will just go to those and avoid spending their own money on fireworks? How many people do you know that can hardly afford to pay rent? They can't afford to blow $100 on fireworks, and even that doesn't get you much. With everyone living paycheck to paycheck, are fireworks really worth the extra money?
Let me know what you think.
Yep although I think it's more of the fact of the regulations. For example the city where I live and nearby fireworks are only legal the 4th from Noon-to-Midnight, although lots of people still don't listen. Although I have noticed a lot less fireworks stands and just going off randomly today.