Dive Brief:
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Camping World is snapping up Nashville-based Cullum & Maxey Camping Center for an undisclosed amount, the company announced on Thursday. Camping World already operates three locations in the state, in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville, all specializing in service, RV sales and retail accessories.
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Camping World, an Illinois-based network of RV-centric retail locations, is in growth mode and expects to soon announce several additional markets of expansion throughout the country this year, the company also said.
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Last year, Camping World won the bankruptcy auction of Gander Mountain Company and Overton's.
Dive Insight:
After acquiring Gander Mountain, Camping World scaled back that retailer's footprint, but the decision is hardly a reflection of limited ambitions. Along with fewer stores and a new banner, Camping World has closed Gander stores or opened stores with already smaller capacity — 30,000-, 40,000- or 50,000-square feet, as opposed to 60,000-, 70,000- or 80,000-square feet.
From the get-go, Camping World Holdings Chairman Marcus Lemonis insisted that stores be profitable and well-managed in order to re-open.
Last year the company also bought TheHouse.com, (which sells outdoors equipment online), Uncle Dan's (an outdoor gear and apparel shop) and W82 (formerly Windward Boardshop, a specialty store featuring snowboards, longboards, skateboards and apparel), and earlier this year announced the acquisition of regional Midwester gear seller Erehwon Mountain Outfitter.
As with its purchase of Erehwon, this latest buy is anticipated to boost Camping World's core business, with more products to sell to RV customers in need of gear, along with adding new camping customers who either now or in the future may become interested in buying an RV.
