Backcountry.com acquired by CSC Generation Enterprise

Backcountry.com storefront in Kimball Junction Photo: TownLift

SALT LAKE CITY — According to an interview with Melanie Cox, CEO of Backcountry.com shard on Pulse Ratings, outdoor retailer Backcountry has been acquired by CSC Generation Enterprise, a company known for purchasing distressed retail brands. The acquisition included all of Backcountry.com’s assets and liabilities, including several websites (backcountry.com, competitivecyclist.com, motosport.com, steepandcheap.com)

“We were drawn to Backcountry for several compelling reasons: their extensive and varied product range, deep connections with the outdoor community, and the remarkable passion and loyalty of their customers,” said Justin Yoshimura, founder and CEO of CSC. “By integrating their strengths with our commitment to digital innovation, we believe there is significant potential for continued growth.”

Backcountry has been under-performing, with expectations of posting negative EBITDA this fiscal year. CSC specializes in acquiring brands with strong customer loyalty that face financial challenges. This is its first move into the sporting goods sector, having previously acquired brands like Sur La Table and One Kings Lane. Backcountry will remain a separate entity under CSC Generation and will not merge with the other brands previously acquired by CSC.

“Joining CSC is a significant milestone for us. Our team is enthusiastic about utilizing CSC’s expertise and resources to accelerate the Backcountry strategy. We are confident that this acquisition will enable us to expand our market presence and continue delivering outstanding outdoor experiences,” said Melanie Cox, CEO of Backcountry.

TSG Consumer Partners had been seeking to divest Backcountry and the purchase price was not disclosed.

The sale follows Backcountry’s divestiture of its European subsidiary Bergfreunde to Decathlon France last year.

Experts cite industry-wide challenges and increased e-commerce costs as factors in Backcountry’s decline. The company’s pivot to private labels and physical retail expansion also faced setbacks, including consumer backlash over trademark disputes and poor product reviews.

Backcountry.com was founded in 1996 by Jim Holland and John Bresee. The two started the online business with a sparse collection of avalanche gear and began selling gear from their garage in Park City, Utah under the domain names BCstore.com and BackcountryStore.com. according to Wikipedia.