Sporting Goods

REI Corporate Office

Recreational Equipment Incorporated, commonly known as REI, was founded by Lloyd and Mary Anderson in 1938 in Seattle, Washington. They had imported an ice axe from Austria and decided to set up a cooperative to help other people buy quality outdoor recreational equipment at reasonable prices.

At first the company was known as REI Co-op and was primarily focused on equipment for backpackers, climbers, and mountaineering expeditions.

In the 1980’s the company’s focus changed to family camping, kayaking, bicycling, and other outdoor sports. Sport-casual clothing also became an important part of the product line at this time.

REI still operates as a co-op for its members, but this title has been dropped as it also does business with the general public whether they are members or not.

REI has repeatedly been ranked in the top 100 of Fortune’s Top 100 Companies to Work for in the United States, finally earning the #8 spot in the Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For: All Stars in 2013.

REI has 11.6 million members, over 11,000 employees, and had $1.93 billion in revenue in 2012.

REI

At first the company was known as REI Co-op and was primarily focused on equipment for backpackers, climbers, and mountaineering expeditions.

In the 1980’s the company’s focus changed to family camping, kayaking, bicycling, and other outdoor sports. Sport-casual clothing also became an important part of the product line at this time.

History

REI still operates as a co-op for its members, but this title has been dropped as it also does business with the general public whether they are members or not.

REI has 11.6 million members, over 11,000 employees, and had $1.93 billion in revenue in 2012.

Fanatics Corporate Office

Fanatics, Inc. was founded in 1995 in Jacksonville, Florida when it was announced that the football team the Jaguars would plant roots there. It began as a retail shop out of a small room in the back of a mall selling only Jaguars merchandise.

In 1997 Fanatics expanded to e-commerce and began selling sports merchandise online.

The company continued to grow and in 2011 was acquired by GSI Commerce, Inc. for $277 million.

Later, Michael Rubin, founder of GSI, founded Kynetic LLC as a parent company to GSI’s three top companies: Fanatics, Rue La La, and ShopRunner. He sold the rest of GSI Commerce’s business to eBay for $2.4 billion.

In early December 2020, the company acquired WinCraft, a company that manufactures sports related mechandise.

Today Fanatics has about $1 billion in yearly revenue. The company maintains a corporate office in Jacksonville, Florida.

Fanatics, Inc.

In 1997 Fanatics expanded to e-commerce and began selling sports merchandise online.

History

The company continued to grow and in 2011 was acquired by GSI Commerce, Inc. for $277 million.

In early December 2020, the company acquired WinCraft, a company that manufactures sports related mechandise.

Today Fanatics has about $1 billion in yearly revenue. The company maintains a corporate office in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bass Pro Shops Corporate Office

John L. Morris began Bass Pro Shops when he started a fishing section in the back of his father’s Brown Derby liquor store in Missouri in 1971. This small department sold homemade bait and worms.

The homemade bait proved popular with tourists and people began to inquire about how they could order them once they returned home. Thus began the Bass Pro Shops catalog in 1974.

In 1975 the company established American Rod and Gun (ARG) as a separate wholesale entity.

Today Bass Pro shops operate 56 stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The stores carry a number of house brands, including Ascend, Bass Pro Shops, Bob Timberlake, Johnny Morris Reels, Natural Reflections, Offshore Angler, Redhead, Uncle Buck’s, White River, Worldwide Sportsman, XPS, and XTS.

Bass Pro Shops is a privately-held retailer of camping, fishing, and hunting gear and other related outdoor recreation equipment. The company’s largest stores are operated under the name Outdoor World. Bass Pro Shops is #93 on the Forbes list of America’s Largest Private Companies and had $4.58 billion in revenue in 2016.

It was rumored in 2015 that the company would buy out competitor Cabela’s.

In October of 2016, it was announced that Bass Pro Shops would acquire Cabela’s for $5.5 billion. This will nearly double the number of stores to 184 locations, as well as increasing the number of employees from 20,000 to 39,000. This is the 5th largest merger in US history and was so complicated that the companies hired no less than 13 banks and law firms to ensure the deal went smoothly.

In mid-2018, Forbes stated that the company is the #2 hottest retailer in America.

While it is unknown at this time if Cabela’s will be rebranded as Bass Pro Shops, company officials have stated that Cabela’s credit cards would be honored at Bass Pro Shops stores.

Bass Pro Shops

John L. Morris began Bass Pro Shops when he started a fishing section in the back of his father’s Brown Derby liquor store in Missouri in 1971. This small department sold homemade bait and worms.

History

The homemade bait proved popular with tourists and people began to inquire about how they could order them once they returned home. Thus began the Bass Pro Shops catalog in 1974.

In 1975 the company established American Rod and Gun (ARG) as a separate wholesale entity.

It was rumored in 2015 that the company would buy out competitor Cabela’s.

In mid-2018, Forbes stated that the company is the #2 hottest retailer in America.

While it is unknown at this time if Cabela’s will be rebranded as Bass Pro Shops, company officials have stated that Cabela’s credit cards would be honored at Bass Pro Shops stores.

Sport Chalet Corporate Office

Sport Chalet was founded in 1959 by husband and wife Norbert and Irene Olberz. They purchased a ski and tennis store in La Canada, California, where the company headquarters remains today.

The store was popular because it carried merchandise other stores did not have, like surfboards, scuba and mountain climbing equipment.

In 1981, a second location was opened in Huntington Beach.

By 1987, there were 6 stores. The chain continued to grow in the late 80s and early 90s.

In 1992, the company went public.

In 2011, founder Norbert Olberz died.

Today, there are 54 Sport Chalet stores in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Besides selling sporting goods, many locations have dive pools and offer scuba certification classes.

Sport Chalet

Sport Chalet was founded in 1959 by husband and wife Norbert and Irene Olberz. They purchased a ski and tennis store in La Canada, California, where the company headquarters remains today.

The store was popular because it carried merchandise other stores did not have, like surfboards, scuba and mountain climbing equipment.

In 1981, a second location was opened in Huntington Beach.

History

By 1987, there were 6 stores. The chain continued to grow in the late 80s and early 90s.

In 1992, the company went public.

In 2011, founder Norbert Olberz died.

Today, there are 54 Sport Chalet stores in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Besides selling sporting goods, many locations have dive pools and offer scuba certification classes.

Patagonia Corporate Office

Patagonia was founded by climber Yvon Chouinard in 1973. Couinard previously owned a climbing supply company called Chouinard Equipment.

In 1977, the company introduced a pile sweater, the first multi-layer outdoor clothing.

In 1984, the company discovered Capilene, a polyester that would not melt in the dryer.

In 1986, the company began donating 10% of its profits to environmental causes.

The company grew rapidly in the 90s. After growing too quickly, a bank called a loan due early, and the company was forced to lay off 20% of its workforce.

In 2008, the company received the “Eco Brand of the Year” award.

Today, Patagonia is a leading retailer of high-end outdoor clothing.

In 2022, the owner and founder of Patagonia stated that he intended to give away his $3 billion company in order to help save the planet.

Patagonia maintains a corporate office in Ventura, California.

Patagonia

Patagonia was founded by climber Yvon Chouinard in 1973. Couinard previously owned a climbing supply company called Chouinard Equipment.

In 1977, the company introduced a pile sweater, the first multi-layer outdoor clothing.

History

In 1984, the company discovered Capilene, a polyester that would not melt in the dryer.

In 1986, the company began donating 10% of its profits to environmental causes.

The company grew rapidly in the 90s. After growing too quickly, a bank called a loan due early, and the company was forced to lay off 20% of its workforce.

In 2008, the company received the “Eco Brand of the Year” award.

Today, Patagonia is a leading retailer of high-end outdoor clothing.

In 2022, the owner and founder of Patagonia stated that he intended to give away his $3 billion company in order to help save the planet.

Patagonia maintains a corporate office in Ventura, California.