Camping World is a major retailer of recreational vehicles in the world. The company has more than 180 retail and service locations throughout 46 states. It sells RVs and travel trailers as well as fifth wheels and accessories. The company offers a full line of outdoor lifestyle products that include clothing for all age groups.
Over the past several years, the company's growth has been rapid. Camping World Holdings raised $251 million in its initial public offering (IPO) in 2016. It plans on aggressively expanding its national footprint through acquisitions of key markets, rebranding Gander Outdoors products, and investing into its dealer network.
The company has already hired two seasoned retail executives to lead its omnichannel strategy since its inception. They are Elizabeth Garry, the former Walmart assistant director of e-commerce, and Jessica Wegner, the Ulta Beauty director of loyalty programs. They are both responsible for customer acquisition and retention.
Camping World has been a leader for many decades in the recreational vehicle industry. Today, it combines a large array of RV products with services, such as financing, to drive consumers into its stores. It sells RVs and accessories from manufacturers like Winnebago and Fleetwood. It also sells recreational products such as books, entertainment, fishing equipment, and satellite receivers. Customers can also purchase additional warranties.
Camping World is a well-known dealer of recreational vehicles. However, many customers are unhappy with the quality of its service. 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. It also has a bad reputation for taking too long to fix problems.
The company is now offering more outdoor products than just RVs. These include bedding, clothing, and pet accessories. The company owns brands such Ascoton, Gander Outdoors, as well as The House Boardshop. The company's business model doesn't seem to have changed. The CEO has made politically charged remarks, and the company is being criticized for its large dealership areas and high price.
Camping World, a large company, has a complicated corporate structure. There are many shareholders and owners that own significant shares in Camping World. Crestview Partners, Inc., a major institutional investor, has most of its shares.
Good Sam Enterprises purchased the company in 1997. It later merged into FreedomRoads, founded by 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 also partnered closely with companies like ESPN and Major League Baseball, in addition its relationships with these sports entities. It has strong brand recognition in these sectors, with multimillion-dollar sponsorships.