Boot Barn looking to win beyond the west

Two acquisitions in two years blended with organic growth have allowed Boot Barn to nearly double in size and lay claim to being America’s largest western and work wear retailer.



Tractor Supply with its more than 1,300 stores and Walmart might dispute that assertion — depending how western and work wear are defined — but there is no denying that Boot Barn is a retailer on the move with backing from growth oriented private equity owners.



Boot Barn recently opened its sixth new store of the year in Fresno, giving it a total of 37 locations in California and 158 stores in 24 states nationwide. The 10,000-sq.-ft. store at 3324 W. Shaw Avenue next to a Home Depot is set for a grand opening on September 26 and poised to wow shoppers with an in-store selection of 4,100 pairs of boots. The company also offers jeans, hats, shirts, outerwear, protective work wear, flame-resistant apparel and accessories from brands such as Wrangler, Ariat, Justin, Carhartt, Miss Me, Wolverine, Resistol, Timberland PRO, Cinch, Georgia Boots, Dr. Marten, Dan Post and Tony Lama.



Boot Barn has been around since 1978, but growth has accelerated considerably after the December 2011 acquisition by investment firm Freeman & Spogli. With the backing of a firm that has considerable expertise in retailer sector deal making, Boot Barn got serious about growth.



In August 2012, when Boot Barn operated 87 locations primarily in the Western U.S. it bought the 29 unit RCC Western Stores chain based in Rapid City, SD. That increased the company’s presence in the Midwest and South and gave it a total of 116 stores. Last year, Boot Barn acquired Baskins, a specialty retailer with 30 western and work wear stores predominantly located in Texas and Louisiana. That deal increased Boot Barn’s store count to 147 units. Organic growth has pushed the store count to 158 units and the company declined to elaborate on how many units it expects to open next year.



Boot Barn drives brand awareness and demand for its product offering by supporting national and grass roots rodeo activities. For example, the retailer is the official western retailer of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and official sponsor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The company also supports more than 500 other rodeos and western events.