Go Outdoors

Go Outdoors is a leading retailer of outdoor clothing and equipment, offering a wide range of products for camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, and fishing enthusiasts. From a single store in Hathersage the company became a trusted brand for outdoor adventurers, operating 58 stores across the UK and employing approximately 2,500 people full-time. Go Outdoors serves its loyal customer base with an extensive product selection, competitive pricing, and an innovative membership program.

YFM Equity Partners backed the original management buyout of the Camping and Caravanning Centre in 1998, which would later become Go Outdoors. Recognising the company’s potential, YFM supported its growth with follow-on investment in 2002, enabling the business to expand its store network and solidify its position as a market leader.

In 2011, 3i joined as an investor, injecting £28 million to fuel further growth. YFM’s partnership with Go Outdoors focused on scaling operations, broadening its product offering, and enhancing the customer experience, ultimately paving the way for its significant market presence.

During YFM’s involvement, Go Outdoors achieved remarkable growth:

• Expanded from 1 to 58 stores across the UK.
• Grew annual turnover from £2.5 to £202 million with pre-tax profits of £4.9 million by the time of exit.
• Created over 2,500 full-time jobs, supporting economic growth across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Enhanced its reputation as a leader in the outdoor retail sector with innovative marketing strategies and a popular membership program.

Outcome

In 2016, YFM realised its investment through its acquisition by JD Sports for £112.3 million. This marked a stellar return for YFM, achieving a 37x return on its original investment. The transaction also crystallised the value they’d created for Go Outdoors’ founders, Paul Caplan and John Graham, while positioning the company for its next phase of growth under JD Sports’ ownership.