Camping World Holdings Inc. announced plans to dramatically increase RV sales locations over the next 15 months through the launch of Gander RV Sales, new store openings and continued acquisitions.
Camping World currently owns and operates 133 RV dealerships nationwide, specializing in RV sales, service, outdoor and RV after-market accessories and its entire portfolio of Good Sam products and services. Just over one year ago, in May 2017, Camping World was the successful bidder for certain assets of Gander Mountain. Since the acquisition, Camping World has negotiated leases for a number of the old Gander Mountain locations in key RV markets where Camping World is under-penetrated and has “tremendous opportunity” to grow its RV market share and expand its customer base, according to Camping World’s statement. Since the beginning of this year, Camping World has opened fifty stores rebranded as Gander Outdoors. With those stores up and running, Camping World has made significant investments in technology and infrastructure and laid the groundwork for the planned launch of up to 40 Gander RV Sales branded locations by Spring of 2019.
Marcus Lemonis, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “Camping World is an RV-centric business and everything we do is targeted to expand our customer base, grow our Good Sam Club and increase our RV market share. In late 2016, we launched our “side-by-side” strategy to expand our customer base and increase our market share in a region by operating an existing Camping World dealership with an acquired dealership operating under its legacy brand name. Similarly, through the opening of the Gander Outdoors stores, the launch of Gander RV Sales and the introduction of new and innovative products for the younger outdoor and cost-conscious consumer, we believe we will increase the width and depth of our customer base for our RV-centric offerings and Good Sam products and services. We have always viewed Gander Outdoors as the most cost-effective method to increase our RV sales presence and grow our Good Sam Club, particularly in key RV markets where we are underpenetrated. It is not by coincidence that the Gander Outdoors locations selected are in key markets with a very strong RV registration base and areas that we have been targeting for growth.”
With the recent opening of the first Gander RV Sales location in Kenosha, WI, expect new Gander RV Sales locations to follow in Madison, WI; Wausau, WI; Franklin, WI; Green Bay, WI; Onalaska, WI; Eau Claire, WI; Baraboo, WI; Franklin, WI; Forest Lake, MN; Lakeville, MN; Hermantown, MN; Baxter, MN; Amarillo, TX; Spring, TX; Tyler, TX; Ft. Worth, TX; Roanoke, VA; Cicero, NY; Ocala, FL; Pensacola, FL; Bowling Green, KY; Paducah, KY; Augusta, GA; Marion, IL; Springfield, IL; Chesterfield, MO; Huber Heights, OH; York, PA; Greensburg, PA; Parker, CO; Jackson, TN; Mooresville, NC; Fayetteville, NC; Gastonia, NC and Greenfield, IN. Additionally, the company is currently working on and expects to open new RV sale locations in Belleville, MI; Breaux Bridge, LA; Wichita, KS; Boynton Beach, FL; Ft. Pierce, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Denton, TX; Rockford, IL and Franklin, WI. The above listed locations along with the continued aggressive pursuit of opportunistic acquisitions is expected to grow the company’s RV Sales locations by more than 30 percent by the end of 2019.
“We continue to position ourselves as a leader in the expanding RV industry and the expansion into the broader outdoor lifestyle market and the development of new and innovative products is a natural expansion to reach the younger outdoor and cost-conscious consumer,” said Roger Nuttall, president of the Camping World RV group. “Our planned expansion with Gander RV Sales locations and our continuing strategy to aggressively pursue opportunistic acquisitions and new store development reinforces our focus on increasing market share with our country-wide expansion.”
