Camping World Announces eCommerce Acquisition And Bitcoin Payment Partnership

Camping World, the country’s largest recreational vehicle retailer, said Monday (April 26) that it had made a pair of deals aimed at making it easier for customers to shop and pay for their purchases.

The Illinois-based owner of 170 retail stores in 38 states said that it had acquired Nomad Reservations, a campground reservation and management system that goes by CampgroundBooking.com

The company said the addition of Nomad’s eCommerce capabilities would provide multiple unique data points and trip-planning tools that customers could use to plan upcoming journeys while allowing the retailer to deliver customized and relevant marketing communications.

“This technology acquisition complements other planned product launches such as peer-to-peer RV rental platform,” said Marcus Lemonis, CEO and chairman of Camping World Holdings.

In a separate press release, the outdoor recreation company said it would now accept bitcoin payments via a new partnership with BitPay.

The addition of cryptocurrencies to its form of accepted payments is aimed at maximizing convenience and attracting new consumers, the company said, while noting that it did not have to hold the digital currency on its own balance sheet.

The initial launch will be in two markets in Chicago and Kenosha, Wisconsin, but the company plans to expand to all locations that sell RVs and to its eCommerce platforms this summer.

“As the industry leader, we have a responsibility to adapt to new preferences and elevate the customer experience, whether through the products and services we offer, or in the ways we interact and transact with the customer,” Lemonis said. “Accepting cryptocurrency is simply another part of our vision to make RVing easy in an increasingly digital world.”

Camping World also owns Good Sam Enterprises, FreedomRoads and Ganser RV & Outdoor.

The latest moves mark at least its fourth acquisition this year as the company tries to meet the growing demand for outdoor recreational activity by COVID-era consumers eager to leave their homes but avoid crowds.

Camping World’s stock is up nearly 500 percent in 12 months and the company is now worth almost $4 billion.