Gander Mountain Comps Soar

ST. PAUL, MN-Outdoor retailer Gander Mountain’s same-store sales soared 7.4% year over year during the company’s third quarter due to a boost for the fall hunting season, executives say. They especially credit the reorganization of the chain’s ammunition department with new signage and other features.

During the quarter, which ended Oct. 28, the company opened five new stores, four of them in new states for the chain – Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and West Virginia. The other opening was a second store in Virginia.

Executives are planning three stores in next year’s first half and an unspecified amount next fall, with capital expenditures coming in at $30 million to $35 million. Management also reiterates plans to open a total of 300 or more stores across the country; Gander Mountain currently operates 105 units in 22 states.