The growth in popularity of outdoor adventure activities has prompted one of the nation’s major adventure goods retailers to set up shop in Western Australia.
The growth in popularity of outdoor adventure activities has prompted one of the nation’s major adventure goods retailers to set up shop in Western Australia.
The wrestle for prime position in this competitive sector will become more intense in June, when big box-style camping and adventure goods retailer Anaconda arrives in Perth to open an outlet in Joondalup.
Described by its founder and CEO Toby Darvall as a “retail extravaganza,” Anaconda’s eighth Australian store and first in WA will be followed by openings in Innaloo in December and Cannington in April next year.
Mr Darvall told WA Business News its 3,000 square metre destination stores allowed customers to experiment by trying gear, lighting stoves, climbing pinnacles and even playing in snow.
With less than 5 per cent of customers described as ‘adrenaline junkies’, he predicted the biggest growth in its customer demographic would be families with good disposable incomes and a desire to camp in comfort.
“People want to make their camp sites feel like home with all the creature comforts like hot water showers, remote control lighting, portable kitchens and tent heaters. We sold 35,000 tents alone last year, which is a pretty good effort,” Mr Darvall said.
Camping gear aside, the retailer also supplies equipment for diving, skiing, snowboarding, biking, canoeing and hiking among other active pursuits, plus a large range of outdoor clothing and footwear.
Mr Darvall said he came up with the Anaconda concept after visiting the US. With some financial assistance from craft and homeware retailer, Spotlight Group, he set up his first Anaconda store in Melbourne in November 2004.
“I saw the market in Australia had a lot of Army disposal stores which were quite dark, cramped and not female friendly. Anaconda is more young and sexy, and having huge warehouses we can offer competitive prices,” he said.
The company expects stiff competition in WA but Mr Darvall said it would not be deterred from opening new stores next year, most likely in Fremantle and Kalgoorlie.
Anaconda’s closest competitor in WA is Mountain Designs, which has seven stores in the state, including the only adventure goods store in Fremantle and a rock climbing centre in Northbridge.
Franchised retailer Ranger Camping also has a firm foot in the market with eight stores followed by Super Cheap Auto-owned Boating, Camping Fishing (BCF) with six stores.
Other established retailers in WA include Paddy Pallin in Shafto Lane, Perth, and near neighbours Mainpeak and Kathmandu, which also have stores in Cottesloe.
BCF general manager Steve Doyle said it had channeled more than $12 million dollars into its WA stores and planned to open more stores in Perth’s northern and southern growth corridors, as well large country towns.
The company opened its first store in Midland in August last year.
“We think there’s room in WA for another few stores. BCF is not targeting the active, go-hard crew, but your Rottnest holiday makers that like to kick back and throw a line,” he said.
Boating and camping accessories are the core of BCF’s business, however its fishing range – comprising more than 12,000 lures, 1,000 rods, and 600 reels – is selling very well in WA.
