The Sportsman's Guide
American outdoor goods retailer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sportsman's Guide is an online retailer of hunting and fishing gear, military surplus, ammunition, and outdoor sporting goods. Founded by Gary Olen in 1970, its first catalog was mailed in 1976.
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Internet & Retail |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Gary Olen |
| Headquarters | 411 Farwell Avenue, South St. Paul, MN 55075, , |
Area served | North America, South America, Europe & Asia Pacific |
| Products | Clothing, outdoor gear, ammunition, shooting supplies |
| Services | Online and catalog retailer; liquidation store attached to headquarters. |
| Owner | BHG Ventures |
| Website | www.sportsmansguide.com |
Based in South St. Paul, Minnesota, the company reportedly employed about 700 people in 2012.[1] The Sportsman's Guide catalog website and retail store all operate from the 330,000-square-foot building located on Farwell Avenue.
History
Sportsman's Guide was founded by Gary Olen, getting its start in his basement in the winter of 1970. The first product, a patch for hunting jackets detailing the previous year's trophy success, immediately proved popular with hunters across the country.
The first Sportsman's Guide catalog was just one page, and it was delivered at the time of the opening of the hunting season in 1977. By 1992, The Guide was mailing eight outdoor gear and clothing catalogs annually, and by 2012, the number had risen to 63. [citation needed]
In 2006, it was acquired by the wholly-owned American subsidiary of the Redcats group, which is the home-shopping group owned by French luxury and distribution group PPR.[2] Six years later, when it was purchased by Northern Tool + Equipment and no job cuts were expected, new jobs were anticipated.[3]
In August 2021, it was announced that The Guide had been acquired by the Southfield, Michigan-based private investment firm BHG Ventures.[4]
Private Label Brands
Buyer’s Club
Sportsman's Guide Buyer's Club Advantage Catalog was introduced in January 1995. Members pay an annual fee to receive various discounts and other benefits.[7]
