The Daily Guide Summer 2024 - 21

Bread+Butter
GA THR
over the past few years expect
a comfortable experience. They
want to enjoy the experience,
not suffer. I think it's important
that we recognize that change
in the marketplace and meet the
demands of those consumers. "
Gathr Outdoors' brands offer
Klymit Sleepsystem 2
Gathr Outdoors
Offers One-Stop
Shopping Option
for Outside Needs
GCI Outdoors, Klymit, ORCA and WaterPORT
connect to consumers across
market segments. By Tom Ryan
W
ith its motto,
" Together
Outside, " Gathr
Outdoors owns
a number of brands that work
within and well beyond the
traditional outdoor space.
Formerly known as McNeil
Pride Group, Gathr Outdoors
took on its new name after acquiring
several outdoor-oriented
brands, including ORCA in January
2020, GCI Outdoors in May
2021, Klymit in July 2021, and
WaterPORT in June 2022.
The Nashville-based firm provides
a one-stop shopping option
for retailers across its brands'
diverse range of products that
include camping chairs, sleeping
pads, sleeping bags, tents, coolers,
drinkware, and water tanks.
Gathr Outdoors' range of categories
offers a rich understanding
of how today's consumers engage
across outdoor activities to not
only inform design and internal
go-to-market approaches but
lend insights to retail partners
exploring ancillary categories.
Backed by patented technology,
Gathr Outdoors' products
complement each other, with
many touting the benefits of
comfort, convenience, and multipurpose
functionality. Comfort in
particular stands out as a priority
among younger consumers who
discovered the outdoors during
the pandemic.
" When I grew up and went
camping, and you came back
from the weekend, the proudest
moment was about how
much you suffered, " said Gathr
Outdoors CEO Keith Bornholtz.
" I think the younger people who
have come into the industry
solutions across a wide range of
outdoor occasions, including not
only the campsite but backyard,
beach, and ball field. The
company targets four consumer
segments: Water, Sport, Festival,
and Outdoor.
Gathr Outdoors' distribution
largely focuses on wholesale with
brand partners ranging from
mass market stores and Amazon
to national sporting goods and
outdoor chains as well as independent
retailers.
Gathr Outdoors values the
independent channel's role
in building credibility with
consumers for its brands. For independents,
a potential opportunity
includes exclusive access to
a new technology from a Gathr
Outdoors brand for the first one
or two years post-launch before
wider distribution. Brands are
also able to segment by consumer
type, whether Water, Sport, Festival,
or Outdoor, to support differentiation
in the marketplace.
* GCI Outdoor: GCI's signature
portable chairs offer seating
solutions for a wide variety
of outdoor occasions, from
campsite to sideline sports,
tailgating, the beach, barbecues,
festivals, marine, and
RVing. The brand stands out
for its patented spring-loaded
shocks that support a smooth
rocking motion as well a high
level of comfort. GCI continues
to build out its product lines
to extend its appeal to other
consumers, including more
fashionable and lifestyle offerings.
*
Klymit: With a " Sleep Outside "
tagline, Klymit built its
reputation around its inflatable
sleeping pads and is being
repositioned to better capitalize
on its patented sleep systems
with updated packaging
and in-store signage. Klymit's
range also includes sleeping
bags, inflatable pillows,
blankets, and tents. 2025 plans
include an emphasis on more
value-oriented sleeping pads.
* ORCA: With a particularly
strong following in the
southern U.S., ORCA is best
known for its barware and
soft-sided coolers while also
offering hard-sided coolers
and other drinkware. Newer
initiatives include investments
in consumer-based storytelling
and more stylish coolers aimed
at female consumers. ORCA
recently introduced a " Sweet
Tea " cooler collection aimed at
women that was soon complemented
by a similarly themed
chair range from GCI.
* WaterPORT's portable, selfpressurized
water tanks help
outdoor adventurers rinse off
camp dishes, spray down gear
or even take a shower before
zipping up the tent at night.
Initially aimed at overlanders,
newer targets being explored
include soccer moms looking
to hose down cleats post-practice
as well as mountain bikers,
surfers, and pet-owners seeking
a quick wash-up post-play.
A new five-gallon slim tank
that can be mounted inside
a truck bed, trailer hitch or
rack system will be launched
in 2025. Also coming are new
technologies and upgraded
stylings.
For a sneak peek at soon-to-belaunched
styles, head to Gathr
Outdoors' booths - GCI Outdoor
#17027; Klymit #16027; and
ORCA, #71035 - at Outdoor Retailer
Summer to meet the team
and test product.
OUTDOOR RETAILER SUMMER 2024 /
GUIDE 21
COURTESY GATHR
The Daily Guide Summer 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Daily Guide Summer 2024
