Gander Mountain files for bankruptcy; will close 32 stores, sell company

[cathandler]

http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/10/ga ... o-be-sold/

Store closure list:
Alabama (4) – Gadsden, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Georgia (3) – Augusta, McDonough, Snellville
Illinois (3) – Champaign, Algonquin, Springfield
Indiana (2) – Merrillville, Greenfield
Minnesota (3) – Rogers, Mankato, Woodbury
New York (1) – New Hartford
North Carolina (2) – Raleigh, South Charlotte
Tennessee (1) – Chattanooga
Texas (10) – Houston, Killeen, Laredo, Lubbock, Round Rock, San Antonio, Sugar Land, Texarkana, Waco, West Houston
West Virginia (1) – Charleston
Wisconsin (2) – Eau Claire, Germantown

[buckguy]

The couple times I've been to their stores, I was impressed at the limited selection and their failure to capitalize more on popular brands they carry like Carharrt.

Perhaps their commitment to firearms was a problem--it's a cyclical business that does well when Democrats become president or a mass shooting takes place, plus the overall numbers of hunters and gun owners actually has been declining for years---not a good long-term business model. Rapid expansion probably didn't help either, esp. if they're competing with larger truly destination stores like Bass. they seemed to put too many stores in places like Cleveland where an REI-type store (REI is just entering the market there) is a better fit.

[cathandler]

Camping World wins Gander Mountain auction - more stores expected to close
http://www.retaildive.com/news/camping- ... ain/441628

[Super S]

Camping World wins Gander Mountain auction - more stores expected to close
http://www.retaildive.com/news/camping- ... ain/441628

Camping World doesn't really cater to anybody except the RV crowd. The name is almost misleading. They don't really have any camping stuff unless it is RV related. But combining that with a true sporting goods retailer under one roof could work if they had the right merchandise mix.

[mbz321]

Camping World wins Gander Mountain auction - more stores expected to close
http://www.retaildive.com/news/camping- ... ain/441628

Camping World doesn't really cater to anybody except the RV crowd. The name is almost misleading. They don't really have any camping stuff unless it is RV related. But combining that with a true sporting goods retailer under one roof could work if they had the right merchandise mix.

It sounds to me like Camping World just mainly bought Gander for their leases and some of the stuff related to Overton's, a boating accessory/supply store owned by Gander. Looks like all the merchandise from Gander will be liquidated.

[pseudo3d]

Camping World wins Gander Mountain auction - more stores expected to close
http://www.retaildive.com/news/camping- ... ain/441628

Camping World doesn't really cater to anybody except the RV crowd. The name is almost misleading. They don't really have any camping stuff unless it is RV related. But combining that with a true sporting goods retailer under one roof could work if they had the right merchandise mix.

It sounds to me like Camping World just mainly bought Gander for their leases and some of the stuff related to Overton's, a boating accessory/supply store owned by Gander. Looks like all the merchandise from Gander will be liquidated.

Apparently, Gander Mountain's inventory was all sold and that even for the stores the Camping World wants to retain the format for, the inventory has to be liquidated first.

[mbz321]

Well, my nearest store is closing and not being acquired by Camping World. This store was built from the ground up and has been open barely over 6 months....what a total waste.