Camping World is the world's largest retailer of recreational vehicles. It has over 180 locations in 46 states that sell RVs, travel trailers and fifth wheels. The company offers a full line of outdoor lifestyle products that include clothing for all age groups.
Over the years, the company has seen rapid growth. In 2016, Camping World Holdings raised $251 million in an initial public offering (IPO). It plans to aggressively expand its nationwide footprint by purchasing locations in key markets.
Two veteran retail executives have been hired by the company to oversee its omnichannel strategy. Elizabeth Garry, the former Walmart assistant Director of e-commerce and Jessica Wegner are the Ulta Beauty director for loyalty programs. Both are charged with overseeing customer acquisition and retention.
Camping World has been a leader within the recreational vehicle sector for decades. Today, the company offers financing and a large range of RV-related products. It sells RVs and accessories from manufacturers like Winnebago and Fleetwood. It also stocks a wide selection of recreation-related merchandise like books, fishing gear, entertainment items, and satellite radio receivers. It offers additional warranties to customers.
Although Camping World has become one of the largest recreational vehicle dealers in the country, many consumers have complained about the quality of service offered at its locations. Many times, a customer will walk into a dealership, only to find that a technician has not spent a lot of time answering their questions. The company is also known for its long repair times.
The company's offerings now go beyond RVs and include clothing, accessories, and bedding for outdoor living. The company also owns brands like Gander Outdoors and Overton. The company's business model isn't changing much. The CEO made controversial comments. The company was also criticized for its large dealership lot and high prices.
Camping World is a large corporation with complex corporate structures. It has a variety of owners and shareholders, most of which have a significant stake in the company. In fact, most of its shares are owned by major institutional investors, such as Crestview Partners, which is the parent company of Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Good Sam Enterprises bought it in 1997. Later, it merged with FreedomRoads which was founded Marcus Lemonis. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Camping World faced a serious infrastructure crisis. Due to the increase in customer volume, the company faced serious infrastructure issues.
Camping World has partnered not only with sports organizations but also with major league baseball companies like ESPN. It has strong brand recognition in these sectors, with multimillion-dollar sponsorships.