DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Out&Back Outdoor, the one-stop marketplace to buy or sell new and used outdoor gear, today announces its acquisition of gear exchange company The Locals Sale. With both companies having influential stakes in the outdoor gear space, this acquisition positions Out&Back to continue expanding its offerings that support sustainability and affordable pricing while challenging the way consumers typically shop and sell secondhand.
Founded in 2019 by Barruch Ben-Zekry, Out&Back’s platform delivers a seamless experience for outdoor enthusiasts to sell and buy secondhand gear in one convenient place. The Locals Sale, founded by Jake Cohn, has built a cult-like following by curating gear from professional athletes, outdoor brands, and industry insiders with the sole goal of providing the public with an opportunity to find the most affordable ski & snowboard gear. As of today, The Locals Sale will become a portfolio company of Out&Back, and the acquisition includes ownership of its website, inventory, warehouse space and branded The Locals Sale events.
“The Locals Sale uniting with Out&Back marks a milestone for both companies,” said Barruch Ben-Zekry, Founder and CEO of Out&Back. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jake over the years and seen firsthand how influential he’s been in making outdoor gear more accessible to all. We look forward to having him and his team join Out&Back, bringing their fresh perspective and knowledge of our industry, and are excited about the growth that will come from this acquisition.”
“This new relationship with Out&Back allows The Locals Sale to access the resources needed to advance our businesses and continue our mission of gear recycling while making outdoor activities more affordable,” shares Jake Cohn, Founder of The Locals Sales. “Winter sports come with a hefty price tag and often pose a significant entry barrier. I've always held the belief that when more individuals can afford the sports they love, it increases the chances of safeguarding our precious outdoor spaces. Having access to quality gear in a manner that minimizes waste in the outdoors is a win for the planet and consumers' wallets.”
In tandem with the acquisition of The Locals Sale, Out&Back will begin operating out of a new hybrid office and fulfillment center. Located a few minutes from downtown Denver at the historical York Street Yards, the space is approximately 3,500 square feet and features a built-in cleaning and repair facility. All orders through The Locals Sale and Out&Back will be processed between the company’s two centers in Denver and Salt Lake City.
Out&Back and The Locals Sale has already begun consolidated inventory by co-hosting recent in-person ski & snowboard gear pop-up shops in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boulder, Colorado, in October. While a large part of Out&Back’s current inventory is high-quality soft goods, this acquisition increases the company’s hard goods offerings and provides a more robust selection for customers. Starting online today, customers can shop over 2,500 pairs of skis and snowboards, boots and snow accessories, including goggles, gloves and new helmets.
As a part of the merger, all The Locals Sale employees will transition and join the Out&Back team. Founder of The Locals Sale, Jake Cohn, will also formally join Out&Back as the company’s Director of Winter Sports Business Development & Events. His responsibilities will involve overseeing Out&Back’s new fulfillment center and building out the company’s winter supply business development arm. Out&Back will also leverage Cohn’s connections with professional athletes to further grow the business within the outdoor sports space. Last year, Out&Back kicked off an in-store buy-back program with DICK’s Sporting Goods and specialty outdoor retailer Public Lands and will be continuing this partnership. The program has since expanded to Out&Back’s headquarters in Denver, where potential sellers can schedule appointments to drop off their gear at the company’s office.
For more information on Out&Back, visit outandbackoutdoor.com.
About Out&Back:
Out&Back Outdoor was founded in Denver, Colorado, in late 2019 by Barruch Ben-Zekry and is the one-stop shop when it comes to buying and selling outdoor gear. Out&Back is the only place where customers can shop new and used products in the same shopping experience, in addition to selling unwanted gear in less than a minute for instant cash offers and free shipping. Additional information can be found at outandbackoutdoor.com
