The black-curtained maze at Grassroots Connect is swarming with like-minded independent specialty retailers placing orders, talking shop, sharing ideas and, yes, commiserating about the challenges they face every day in their businesses.This group of retailers, all members of the ...read more
As two fires rage in southern Colorado, employees of Durango’s Backcountry Experience are driving to the front lines to deliver wildland boots, sleeping pads, and other essentials for emergency responders.“This is not something I’ve asked them to do but they’re doing it to be ...read more
Politics was a big theme for 2017—in our country and in our industry. So many outdoor gear companies stepped up to take very public political stances around public lands. In some cases, it makes the cash register ring. But there are lots of customers out there who want gear ...read more
Tom Zajicek, a beloved employee of Durango's Backcountry Experience died on Sunday in a tragic climbing accident on Starlight Peak, in California.Zajicek, an experienced climber, reportedly summited the 14,200-foot peak at 2 p.m. with Laura Scull, an associate professor of ...read more
Ben Rockis is the first person to tell you his investment in Backcountry Experience back in 2003 may not have been completely thought-out. “Being young and dumb, I wanted to own a business so bad that I didn’t really look at the numbers and where the business was health-wise,” ...read more
After five weeks working the sales floor, Tom Barney reflects on the many lessons learned. It's very easy for brand executives to talk about how they are committed to supporting independent specialty retailers. It's another thing entirely for them to take time away from the ...read more
Tom Barney, former CEO of Osprey Packs, tackles the sales floor. His involvement with Backcountry Experience has taught him invaluable lessons about retail, and he encourages other executives to take a break and learn. Tom Barney spent more than 15 years at Osprey Packs before ...read more
There's only one way to fully understand—and help solve— the challenges that specialty retail shops face today: Log time in a shop. That's how former Osprey CEO Tom Barney is spending his holiday season, and every day is a new lesson. My second week at Backcountry Experience was ...read more
Tom Barney shares 10 “aha” moments from his first week working the sales floor as part of The Retail Immersion Project. DURANGO, COLORADO -- Six days in a row working at Backcountry Experience . . . my grand experiment has begun. I wrapped up 15 terrific years with Osprey Packs ...read more
Tom Barney starts his new gig on the sales floor of a Colorado outdoor gear shop, and shares his first report for The Retail Immersion Project. Former Osprey CEO Tom Barney has started a new job as a seasonal employee at Backcountry Experience in Durango, Colo. Yep, that’s right. ...read more
Bridging the gap between brands and shops by embedding C-level executives onto the sales floor, The Retail Immersion Project kicks off with Tom Barney and Durango, Colorado-based Backcountry Experience. Tom Barney has worked at the helm of iconic outdoor brands like Osprey Packs ...read more