Torpedo7 Re-launches as Unique Multichannel Outdoor Adventure Sport Experience

Online outdoor adventure sport specialist Torpedo7 steps into bricks and mortar retailing with the launch of a new store network incorporating sister company R&R Sport and two brand new stores.

This creates an exciting and ground breaking multichannel retailer in New Zealand combining the strengths of both R&R Sport and Torpedo7 to deliver a unique customer experience. 

All nine R &R Sport stores nationwide as well as its online site will be rebranded under a refreshed Torpedo7 branding, using the new tag line ‘See you out there’.

The Warehouse Group (TW Group) acquired Torpedo7 in April 2013 and R&R Sport in December 2013, with the goal of creating New Zealand’s leading multichannel outdoor adventure sport retailer. TW Group CEO Mark Powell says the move is the next step in the Group’s ambitious plan for Torpedo7.

“Bringing together Torpedo7 and R&R Sport draws on a 40-year heritage of outdoor and adventure sports and will offer Kiwis unprecedented access to high quality outdoor recreational gear at the best prices,” said Mr Powell.

“The combination of two of New Zealand’s most dynamic outdoor adventure retailers offers huge opportunity. Customer service based on deep product knowledge and a love of the outdoors among the whole team is a major advantage,” said Mr Powell.

All R&R Sport stores will go forward as Torpedo7 stores and two new stores open in Auckland today in former Good Guys retail sites: a 2,300m2 store in Mt Wellington, opposite Sylvia Park, and a much larger site within the Albany outdoor mall on Don McKinnon Drive.

A tenth store is planned to open in Taupo before Christmas.

At the same time The Torpedo7 branding has been refreshed. The new brand includes a revamped website, a new logo and tagline and a new Customer Loyalty Club.

The new Torpedo7 business delivers a truly multichannel offer that gives customers flexibility and choice in terms of services and delivery, meaning they can buy what they want, where they want, when they want, including:

- browse online, shop instore

- browse in store, shop online

- order instore or online for home delivery

- store click and collect at local store

- buy online get fitted or serviced in store

- an extended range available online.

Created in 2004, Torpedo7 began as an online only store offering high quality mountain bike gear at low prices. It quickly made its way across the ditch to Australia and added road cycling, motocross, snowboarding and skiing gear to its offer. More recently it has further extended into water sports, fishing and other outdoor gear.

R&R Sport was born in 1981 in Dunedin as Recycled Recreation, a store specialising in second hand sports gear. In 1990, the stores rebranded as R&R Sport to reflect the fact that 95% of sales were now of new gear. With a range of stores across New Zealand and experienced staff who love to use the products they sell, R&R Sport has established a strong position with outdoor enthusiasts for bike, snow, water and outdoor products.

Mr Powell said a great deal of effort had gone into successfully integrating Torpedo7 and R&R Sport within the Group: “Torpedo7 now has a unique customer offering of the widest range of outdoor adventure sport products under one roof and website,” he said.

Four sports feature in store – bike, snow, water and outdoors – with an extended online range that includes motocross and fishing.

“It’s an exciting mix of leading national brands – like Icebreaker, Freedom Camping and Mons Royale - as well leading international brands such as Giant, Burton, Trek, O’Neill, Quiksilver and an expanding house brand offer. The stores also offer year round bike workshops and seasonal ski workshops.”

“The focus for Torpedo7’s house brand products is on technology and quality at affordable and realistic prices. The range will be expanded even further over the next year.

“With this consolidation and rebranding complete, we are now in a position to move forward in a number of areas, with ongoing growth driven by an ever improving product range and unbeatable service,” said Mr Powell.

Torpedo7’s new Albany and Mt Wellington stores celebrate their ‘Grand Opening’ next weekend (October 25th). These two stores will include another first – a ‘store within a store’ concept with No1.Fitness within the Torpedo7 store, complementing the Torpedo 7 offer.

No1 Fitness is New Zealand's fastest growing multichannel fitness equipment retailer with sales online and in stores. It offers a wide range of products to suit all fitness needs and budgets, made easy through expert advice in store and online.