Adventure Megastore will increase its presence in the outdoor and adventure space, claiming its price offering is justified, unlike other retailers in the sector, such as Kathmandu. Steven Gahdmar, national retail manager of Adventure Megastore, describes the concept as similar to US-based outdoor clothing retailer, Eddie Bauer, and says it wants to reach 20 stores over the next five years. Adventure Megastore was formerly known as 505 Best Value Outdoors before merging with the Shoeologi
ist brand in October 2012.
With a single store on Kent St in Sydney’s CBD, it was purchased by Skye Group in April 2013.
Since the acquisition, Skye has expanded the concept four stores – two in Victoria at Emporium and and DFO Essendon; and two in Sydney on Kent St in the CBD, and DFO Homebush.
Adventure Megastore specialises in outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment, and is the main distributor of the Columbia and Mountain Hardwear brands in Australia.
“It’s very technological product, it’s not like Kathmandu. Kathmandu, have high prices, but no quality behind their product. Our prices are justified,” Gahdmar said.
New stores are under consideration for Chadstone and Northland in Melbourne, Sydney’s Macquarie Centre, and New Zealand.
Online, Adventure Megastore has around 12,500 members on its database.
“It’s in the early stages, but we are pushing it hard. We think there’s an opportunity for online as we grow the stores as the brand becomes more known in Australia.”
