Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) will begin selling alpine skiing and snowboarding gear today at four of its 18 stores across Canada for the first time in its 44-year history, according to a report by CTVNEWS.ca.
In an interview with the Canadian TV network, MEC CEO David Labistour said the cooperative would sell equipment from Salomon, Rossignol, Vokl, Marker and Dalbello and apparel from Helly Hansen, Outdoor Research and Burton, in addition to its own MEC brand, CTVNews reported.
MEC stores in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary are carrying the selection. Depending on results at those stores, MEC will consider adding the department at other stores throughout the current winter season.
Like its U.S. counterpart REI, Vancouver, B.C.-based MEC is owned by its members, based in the mountainous west and has expanded eastward in the last decade. The cooperative is expected to generate sales of approximately $350 million this year.
