Spotlight Group has purchased struggling outdoor retail chain Mountain Designs for an undisclosed sum.

Spotlight, which owns competing outdoor brand Anaconda, confirmed that it had acquired the business in a short statement on Wednesday morning.

Mountain Designs had been winding up all its stores in recent months as part of a move to an online-only model designed to create a more sustainable platform for the business.

But its online store has been shut down for several weeks as part of its transition process.

Spotlight did not provide any detail on what its plans are for the business, including whether it will re-open Mountain Designs stores, operate it as a separate online business or merge it into Anaconda.

Spotlight Group Holdings managing director Avi Gilboa did say that the business is “very excited” about the future of the brand.

“Mountain Designs is a leading adventure brand with a proud 43-year heritage. The brand has always provided quality, technical, multi-functional gear for all Australians” Gilboa said in a statement.

“We are very excited about Mountain Designs future and can assure enthusiasts that the brand will continue to support them in mastering their adventures.”

The deal is one of several significant moves in the outdoor retail space in recent months, following Super Retail Group’s acquisition of the Macpac brand and Kathmandu’s purchase of Oboz Footwear.

An update on Spotlight’s plans for the business is expected in the coming weeks.

More to come…

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