Backcountry announced it had hired Colby Black as chief product officer, effective immediately.
Black will be responsible for leading the product development and strategy for its in-house brands Backcountry Gear and Apparel,
Stoic, and Basin & Range, as well as third-party merchandising and collaborative partnerships.
Black’s job priorities include introducing new business units and implementing growth initiatives around key product categories, developing its third-party relationships to diversify its outdoor gear and apparel offering, participating in the expansion and evolution of its retail stores, which began with store openings in Utah and Colorado earlier this year,
“Colby brings a wealth of blended experience to this role,” said Melanie Cox, Backcountry CEO. “In addition to his vast background in merchandising strategy and brand development, he has an innate creative ability that will breathe new life into our portfolio of owned brands. From our e-commerce platform to our evolving brick and mortar footprint, Colby will be a driving force in Backcountry’s growth within the outdoor community.”
“I’m excited to join Melanie and the entire Backcountry team as we build upon the incredible 25-year adventure that is the Backcountry brand,” said Black. “It is an incredible time to be joining Backcountry as we build beyond our native, global e-commerce platform and expand our experience into brick and mortar locations. We will continue to leverage our gearhead experts and incredibly knowledgeable team to create and curate industry-leading products and experiences for outdoor enthusiasts around the world.”
Black most recently served as the chief merchandising officer at NTWRK responsible for the delivery of daily product drops, digital festivals and new global initiatives. Before that, he held leadership and executive positions during his 17-year career with Urban Outfitters. As executive director of buying for the retailer, he was instrumental in the launch of its first digital marketplace integration.
Photo courtesy Backcountry
