Backcountry
Born out of a garage in Park City in 1996, Backcountry is one of the largest online retailers of premium outdoor sports gear and apparel. Outfitting enthusiasts with the gear needed for activities ranging from snowboarding to climbing, surfing to cycling, Backcountry provides the best brands and service.
Our Partnership
Given its strong tailwinds and high-level of consumer engagement, we had long been interested in the outdoor category, and had our eye on the Backcountry brand specifically. With an enthusiastic customer base and an iconic goat logo, it was ripe for expansion, both from a product and distribution standpoint. When Liberty Interactive decided to divest the business, we were able to move quickly, completing our investment in 2015.
Strategic Focus
We’re working with Backcountry to increase consumer awareness and retention, develop the company’s offering of undiscovered and private label brands, and drive long-term growth. We have helped assemble a best-in-class executive team and assisted in scaling the Gearhead customer service program, which is a key differentiator and driver of customer retention and lifetime value.
Additionally, we see an opportunity for continued growth in Europe, under Backcountry’s highly successful sister brand Bergfreunde, and are exploring Backcountry branded retail stores to provide customers with an IRL gearhead experience.
Demonstrated Impact
Since our investment, revenue and EBITDA have expanded significantly as a result of several strategic initiatives including brand-building, product margin expansion, fulfillment efficiencies and technology enhancements.
