The biggest news in the outdoor retail space for the past few years had been the rumors of a Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s merger/sale, a deal that was finalized in September 2017 with Bass Pro purchasing Cabela’s for a reported $4 billion. While the ramifications of the blockbuster deal are still being felt throughout the outdoor industry, the impact of the sale was felt most deeply by workers who lost their jobs at the Cabela’s headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska.
While many of these former Cabela’s employees found work outside of the outdoor industry, some wanted to remain in retail, including Matt and Molly Highby. (FYI: Matt’s dad, Dennis Highby, was president of Cabela’s from 2003 through 2009, and he served on its Board of Directors until Bass Pro bought Cabela’s.)
According to Matt, all of Highby Outdoors’ current employees used to work at Cabela’s. For that reason, it’s not surprising that the new company is based in Sidney, Nebraska.
Initially, the company will offer an extensive line of outdoor products through its website, www.highbyoutdoors.com, in a variety of categories including: hunting, firearms and shooting, fishing and marine, knives and tools, camping and optics. The website launched on Feb. 4, 2019.
“We aren’t building just a business,” Matt Highby said. “We’re building a legacy for the great outdoors. We’re a team of long-time experts who share a passion for the outdoors. Our focus is treating customers like family, like we’d like to be treated.”
Highby says the company has a foundation of authentic outdoor experience, culture and heritage. In addition, he says Highby Outdoors will have solid core values and dedication to high-quality products, experiences and services.
“We don’t just focus on your shopping experience,” Highby said. “We want your outdoor experience to be great, too. That’s why we’re here, to be your ultimate outdoor resource, both online and in the field.”
Matt says that future plans call of adding additional merchandising categories, as well as retail locations and catalog operations.
“We are thrilled Highby Outdoors is continuing Sidney’s heritage as a nexus in the outdoor industry, a heritage that began 50 years ago when Cabela’s first located here,” said Joe Arterburn, Sidney’s vice-mayor. “Highby Outdoors employees came from that rich tradition and are passionate about building a legacy of their own.”
Bass Pro Shops Tried to Stop Highby Outdoors
Last summer, Bass Pro Shops sued Matt and Molly Highby, alleging their plans for Highby Outdoors violated noncompete agreements. Bass Pro also claimed that the Highbys misused confidential information, which Matt and Molly say is false. Bass Pro lost its bid for an injunction to stop the launch of Highby Outdoors.
