Background Information on Campers Village and a Message to Customers
Campers Village is an Alberta owned and operated outdoor retailer. In 1963, Campers Village opened on the main floor of North West Tent and Awning to serve as a retail outlet for the developing brand of Norseman products.
In 1988, Campers Village relocated to the current space we occupy on 170th Street. As well, we opened our first Calgary location on Blackfoot Trail. This was also the year our logo was ‘refreshed’ which today is still the same logo with a few modern color updates. In 1998, we relocated the Calgary store to where it is today on Macleod Trail. In 2008, Campers Village opened its third location in Edmonton South. In 2013, Campers Village trademarked their name and logo and introduced the creative platform “Everything’s better outside” launched in celebration with our 50th Anniversary. Under this new creative platform we reflect on the memories made over 50 years and set the stage for 50 more focusing on the experiences we sell every day.
We’ve been here for 50 years of great memories, and we’re looking forward to the new memories that are about to be created.
You’ll notice that we put a lot of emphasis on outdoor experiences and memory making. It’s what’s on our minds every day we go to work and what we want on your mind when you leave our stores.
Our mission is to help recreational families focus on memory making by providing quality products and expert advice just like we have since 1963. We’re the store that sold you the cooler, the tent, the hiking shoes, the clothing that helped you create the memories that have stayed with you. We’re the store behind the best cup of coffee you ever tasted on the open camp stove; we’re behind the hot dog you’re roasting over the fire; and we’re with you on that brisk hike with your dog through the pine forest.
Our product mix has transitioned over the years. When we first opened back in 1963, our focus was predominantly on Norseman products including wall tents (canvas tents), books, fishing rods and fishing supplies. Over the years we have partnered with recognized quality outdoor brands transitioning our product mix. Today 60% of our business is apparel and footwear. Additionally, 40% are hard goods including tents, sleeping bags, camping supplies, backpacking, etc.
Our latest product introduction at Campers Village was in the spring of 2013, when we launched a fleet of Perception kayaks marketed to recreational families. We continue to grow out product mix and integrate new brands among which a few are Native Eyewear, Nau, Nobis, Hoka One One, Ahnu, Peak Performance, Bergan’s of Norway, and more to come.
Campers Village – Some Men’s and Women’s clothing and accessories
INTERVIEW ON ACCESSORIES > GADGETS > NECESSITIES
RV ACCESSORIES
GRV: What are the outdoor essentials for camping and RVing that are the most popular at Campers Village?
CV:
• RV mats, high quality durable mats: They have grommets for staking down with pegs and some come in a carry bag. We have thick or thin ones in a variety of sizes.
Examples:
– Woods RV Mat 9×18
– Woods RV Mat 8×14 Brown
• Camp chef barbeques and accessories: These are very powerful and versatile outdoor appliances.
Examples:
– Camp Chef Pro 90 3 Burner Cook Stove
– Camp Chef 24×16 Reversible Grill/Griddle
• Large coolers – party cooler stands: These coolers are popular due to their portability, take it to the beach or use around the campsite.
Examples:
– Outbound Side Car Cooler
– Coleman 62 qt Xtreme Cooler
• Furniture:
Examples:
– Outbound Camping Set wTable 2 Benches
– Outbound Chill Out Chair
We have a range of furniture from kids’ chairs to full picnic tables.
Search for these products on the Campers Village website.
Campers Village – Camping Gadgets and Necessities
GADGETS
GRV: What are the most appealing practical gadgets in the store that RVers and campers are likely to use?
CV:
• Shangri-La-Picnic hamper
Example:
– Outbound Shangri-La Picnic Tote
• Platy Preserve 800ml
Example:
– Platypus Platy Preserve 800ml FR
• Wiener Roaster
Example:
– Keener Wiener Wiener Roaster
• Cooler Light
Example:
– Coghlans Cooler Light
• Gear Tie 24 in Green 2 Pk
Example:
– Nite Ize Gear Tie 24 in Green 2 Pk
Search for these products on the Campers Village website.
GRV: Are there any new gadgets emerging in the marketplace that Campers Village will carry in the future? Do you have any solar operated devices that are popular due to the convenience of recharging them in the sun?
CV:
• Brunton accessories use solar power to recharge electronics on the go (cameras, phones etc.).
Example:
– Nite Ize Gear Tie 24 in Green 2 Pk
• We also have a few rechargeable pedometers.
Search for these products on the Campers Village website.
GRV: What tools do you sell for emergency situations when camping and RVing?
CV:
• First aid kits and survival accessories
Example:
– Adventure Medical Kits Easy Care Weekender
• GPS units
Example:
– Magellan eXplorist 310 GPS
• Avalanche safety equipment
Examples:
– Probes, shovels and beacons
• Headlamps
Example:
– Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Search for these products on the Campers Village website.
GRV: Do you have any tools or gadgets that specifically attach to clothing when participating in outdoor activity?
CV:
• We have a few clip on gadgets – thermometers, pedometers.
Example:
– Coghlans Trail Compass
• Several of our knives and multitools have clips that allow them to be attached to clothing.
Example:
– Gerber EVO Jr & Dime Combo
Search for these products on the Campers Village website.
NECESSITIES
GRV: What brands are the most popular and practical for active wear including clothes, footwear, and outerwear that you have at Campers Village?
CV: Almost all of our clothing is practical for outdoor and activewear, we like to mix function with fashion in easy to wear, easy to care for styles.
Styles that are especially popular include:
• Merrell Belay – come in shorts, capris, pants and convertible pants.
Example:
– Merrell Wm Belay Convertible Pant
• Marmot Precip waterproofs – waterproof and breathable styles.
Example:
– Marmot Mn PreCip Jacket
• Columbia casual clothing – wicking, breathable, and UV protective wear.
Example:
– Columbia Mn Silver Ridge Plaid Shirt LS
Footwear:
• Merrell – Men’s Moab Vent: This is one of our most popular and versatile styles, comfortable and supportive, available in a waterproof or non-waterproof styles.
Example:
– Merrell Mn Moab Vent Granite
• Keen – Newport H2: A true multisport sandal, supportive enough to hike in with lots of drainage and traction if you end up wearing them in the water.
Example:
– Keen Boys Newport H2 Sandal Blue
• Crocs – This is the ultimate comfortable, wear everywhere shoe. They come in different styles such as the traditional croc, sandals, shoes and wedge heels.
Example:
– Classic Crocs
Search for these products on the Campers Village website.
GRV: What type of dried food products do you carry and do you offer gluten free options? Do you also sell dehydrators so that campers and RVers can dry their own food?
CV:
• We carry several types of dehydrated foods from snacks, desserts and full meals.
Examples:
– Backpackers Pantry Spaghetti & Sauce Meal
– Backpackers Pantry Dark Choc Cheesecake Dessert
• We do have gluten free options from this supplier Katadyn at www.Katadyn.com.
They also have some low sodium and vegetarian options at this link: http://shop.katadyn.com.
GRV: What emergency preparedness items do you have available for purchase at the store? Do you sell these products online through your website? What should campers and RVers carry with them at all times in the event of an emergency when hiking?
CV:
• We sell a variety of survival kits and survival items.
• First aid/survival kit (fire starters, matches, emergency blanket, poncho etc.), cellphone, emergency contact information, rain jacket, snacks, water.
Search for these products on the Campers Village website
GRV: Which health and safety products do you sell at the store?
CV:
• In addition to first aid kits we carry an extensive assortment of insect protection from basic repellent sprays to battery powered appliances that repel insects, including insect bed nets, jackets and head nets.
• Water treatment products that ensure the safety of drinking water wherever you are, we have chemical treatments, filters and UV sterilization systems.
Examples:
– SteriPEN SteriPen Ultra
– MSR MiniWorks EX Filter
Search for these products on the Campers Village website
GRV: What security products are available for purchase at Campers Village? What would you recommend that all campers and RVers have to protect themselves and their property when camping and RVing?
CV:
• Bear spray (not for use on human beings)
Example:
– Earth Management Bear Beware+ 325gm.
• Flashlights/headlamps
Example:
– Coleman Signature Recharge Flashlight
• Security Solutions – We have a number of security solutions designed for travel that may have RVing applications.
Example:
– PacSafe WrapSafe
Search for these products on the Campers Village website
GRV: What packing solutions do you offer and why do you have these particular items available at the store?
CV:
• Eagle creek pack-it is the ultimate packing solution.
Example:
– Eagle Creek Pack-It Starter Set
• These solutions offer a versatile way to stay organized when camping or travelling.
Search for these products on the Campers Village website
GRV: What technical and electronic products do you sell and are these items in demand at the store?
CV:
• GPS units
• Rechargeable battery units
• Some of our most in demand products are: head lamps, high light output and waterproof items.
Search for these products on the Campers Village website
CLOSING COMMENTS
GRV: Do you have a national and/or international customer base due to online shopping and do you see online purchases increasing in the future? Do you have only specific items sold through your website that aren’t in the store or is everything online available at the store and vice versa?
CV: At Campers Village our primary focus is face to face consumer transactions within our brick and mortar stores. Understanding the competitive market for Ecommerce retailers, this is a space we are only just starting to enter. The service was primarily adopted at Campers Village to support our customers who had expressed interest in being able to research and view products online in advance of instore purchases. It was only 3 years ago we integrated an ecommerce platform that would allow transactional purchases online. As we mature this portal of our business, it would be our goal to further market Campers Village within Alberta primarily and as a growth plan begin to look at outlying Canadian provinces. It will never be our intention to open our ecommerce platform to an international customer base.
Everything available online is available within our Brick and Mortar locations.
GRV: Regarding the outdoor recreation marketplace, do you see this expanding even more in the future and if so, how has Campers Village positioned itself as a retail store with both an in-store presence and an online availability of products for your customers?
CV: The outdoor recreation marketplace continues to expand with new competitors entering the market annually. Larger international competitors continue to look at the Canadian market seeking opportunities for entry as the market is remains relatively rich. As such we remain nimble as a local retailer, responding to consumer trends, latest fads and new experiential opportunities.
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