Backed by consumer demand for light-weight, gourmet meals, Backpackers Pantry has recently finalized a deal with Mountain Equipment Co-Op(MEC) to significantly ramp-up its presence in the Canadian-based outdoor stores. Consumer interest for a higher standard in packable, lightweight, backcountry meals and the success of pre-season sales spurred the increased presence in MEC stores.
Backpackers Pantry launched five proprietary gourmet meals last season. The launch was the first of its kind and provided a testing ground for the future of outdoor meals. The experiment proved successful; consumers were drawn to and willing to pay more for unique meals such as Southwestern Smoked Salmon Pasta, Dark Chocolate Cheese Cake and Pad Thai.
Vincent Beasse, an MEC buyer, shared his enthusiasm for the increased partnership with Backpackers Pantry by stating, “Our major draw was from the success of the salmon dishes. It was significant enough for Backpackers Pantry to break through to a higher demographic in our stores.” Vincent continued, “BP foods make a great fit with MEC because they service our clients with higher expectations in the backcountry.”
These expectations are exactly what Backpackers Pantry caters to innovative meals that incorporate unique spices satisfying even the most discriminating tastes. Backpackers Pantry continues to make the outdoor experience more enjoyable without additional work or weight.
