Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1495303
10 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2023 footwearinsight.com By Cara Griffin T h ere's more room for growth in the outdoors. at's the signal sent by two recent acquisitions making news in the footwear and sporting goods space. In February, Dick's Sporting Goods an- nounced that it was acquiring the Moosejaw outdoor retail business from Walmart, and then in early March, footwear retail chain Shoe Show Inc. announced it had acquired outdoor retailer Half-Moon Outfitters. Shoe Show + Half-Moon Shoe Show Inc. operates approximately 1,100 footwear stores in 47 states. e acquisition of Half-Moon (terms of which were not dis- closed) means Shoe Show now has a position in footwear, apparel, and outdoor gear. Founded in 1960 in Kannapolis, NC, Shoe Show's banners include Shoe Show, Shoe Dept., and Shoe Dept. Encore. e company says it keeps its stores connected by sharing in technological advances and operating effi- ciencies, including standard store design and an efficient distribution center. e Shoe Show Inc. headquarters and distribution center are located in Concord, NC. South Carolina-based Half-Moon Outfitters, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in February, is known for providing footwear, ap- parel and gear for travel, backpacking, surfing, kayaking and rock climbing, all highly tailored to market and location. It carries brands such as Patagonia, Free Fly, Vuori, On and Hoka. Half-Moon currently operates eight stores in South Carolina and Georgia, and will open a 9th store in Summerville, SC later this year. Half-Moon Outfitters will maintain oper- ations out of its Charleston, SC headquarters under the helm of Executive Vice President, Richard (Beezer) Molten. "Beezer and his team have built a business with fierce loyalty among its consumers, and we look forward to working with them to provide an even wider range of fashion options with the best possible product and an enhanced shopping experience," stated Lisa Tucker, CEO and President, Shoe Show Inc. Dick's Sporting Goods + Moosejaw In late February, Dick's announced it had agreed to acquire outdoor retailer Moosejaw from Walmart. The move expands Dick's outdoor portfolio, which also includes the outdoor retail concept Public Lands that Dick's launched in 2021. Public Lands currently has seven brick-and-mortar locations and an online business. Moosejaw, founded in Michigan in 1992, had established itself as a leading specialty outdoor retailer well before its acquisition by Walmart for $51 million in 2017. Moosejaw operates 13 brick-and-mortar locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Missouri, but its strength was as an online business under Walmart's ownership. Dick's is likely to see digital benefits from the acquisition thanks to Moosejaw's successful e-commerce platform and its established cus- tomer base. Moosejaw CEO Eoin Comerford, who has been with the retailer for 14-plus years, will continue in his role and will report to Todd Spaletto, President, Public Lands and SVP, Dick's Sporting Goods. Moosejaw carries products across a wide range of outdoor categories, from equipment and accessories to apparel and footwear. It also has a rental and resale business. Top footwear brands at Moosejaw include Chaco, Keen, La Sportiva, Merrell, Salomon and Sorel. "We believe there's potential to grow the Moosejaw business and provide compelling experiences and an expanded product as- sortment to its millions of loyal customers," stated Spaletto. n Retailers Betting on the Outdoors with Recent Acquisitions OUTDOOR RETAIL THE FOOTWEAR EYE