| Sportsman's Guide | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Foundation: | 1970 |
| Founder: | Gary Olen |
| Location City: | South St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Location: | 411 Farwell Avenue, South St. Paul, MN 55075 |
| Area Served: | North America, South America, Europe & Asia Pacific |
| Industry: | Internet & Retail |
| Products: | Clothing, outdoor gear, ammunition, shooting supplies |
| Services: | Online and catalog retailer; liquidation store attached to headquarters. |
| Parent: | Northern Tool |
| Homepage: | www.sportsmansguide.com |
Sportsman's Guide is an online retailer of hunting and fishing gear, military surplus, ammunition, and outdoor sporting goods. It is based in South St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. The company was founded by Gary Olen in 1970, and the first Sportsman's Guide catalogue was mailed in 1976. In 2012, Sportsman's Guide employed about 700 people.[1]
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.
Sportsman's Guide has, over time, expanded its range to include ammunition, shooting supplies, and accessories, clothing and footwear, camping gear, items for home, garden and patio, electronics, optics, gifts, sports and recreation, and truck and ATV items.
In 2006, Sportsman's Guide was acquired for approximately $265 million by Redcats USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Redcats Group, which is the home-shopping group owned by French luxury and distribution group PPR (Pinault-Printemps-Redoute).[2]
In 2012, Sportsman's Guide was acquired for $215 million by Northern Tool + Equipment. No job cuts were expected as a result of the acquisition, and additional new jobs were anticipated.[3]
Sportsman's Guide headquarters is located in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The Sportsman's Guide catalog website and retail store all operate from the 330,000-square-foot building located on Farwell Avenue.
Sportsman's Guide also has several private label brands made up of items designed and sourced by company team members: Bolderton, Guide Gear, HuntRite, Castlecreek, and HQ ISSUE.[4] [5]
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.[6]
For questions related to the Buyer's Club, you can call customer service at 1-800-888-3006.
Multiple criticisms arose for the quality of the products sold, such as: torn seams, dented products, products full of mildew, etc.[7]
Criticisms also arose for the customer service quality, such as revoking the Buyer's Club discount on ammo for buying in bulk quantities.[8]