Wholesale Sports
A Canadian outdoor-goods retailer that served western Canada with hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor-sports equipment before closing its stores in 2017.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Wholesale Sports was a Canadian-owned and operated specialty retailer focused on outdoor recreation and sporting goods. Its assortment centered on hunting, fishing, and camping, combining equipment, clothing, accessories, and practical advice for customers involved in outdoor activities. The business operated primarily in western Canada and became known as a large-format destination for sportsmen, campers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The chain was established by two brothers from Calgary. In its formative period, the business expanded by acquiring existing local retailers, including Frenchy's and Barottos Sports. These acquisitions helped create a broader regional retail and distribution operation under the Wholesale Sports name. The company subsequently opened or acquired additional stores in markets including Edmonton, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Kamloops, building a network that extended across several western provinces. A major ownership change occurred in early 2008, when UFA Co-operative Limited acquired Wholesale Sports Canada. UFA subsequently expanded the business's reach through a 2009 transaction involving the leases of 15 Sportsman's Warehouse locations. Sportsman's Warehouse was a privately held outdoor-adventure retailer headquartered in Salt Lake City, and the transaction added stores and employees to the Wholesale Sports operation. The acquired portfolio originally included locations in both Canada and the United States. After the Fargo, North Dakota store closed in July 2011, the U.S. operation comprised 14 locations, while 11 Canadian stores were identified in the company's network at that point. Wholesale Sports continued to add Canadian locations during the 2010s, opening a store in Prince George, British Columbia, in 2013 and another in Westbank, British Columbia, in 2014. UFA later divested the U.S. Wholesale Sports business in 2013, returning the brand's geographic emphasis to Canada. In early 2015, the retailer introduced a new e-commerce platform, extending its product offering beyond physical stores and reflecting the growing importance of online shopping in specialty retail. The chain's later years were marked by contraction rather than expansion. Its Regina location closed in 2016. On September 14, 2017, the company announced plans to close all remaining stores. Retail operations continued through a final business day on December 28, 2017, after which the chain permanently ceased store operations. Wholesale Sports therefore remains a defunct regional retail brand whose history is associated with western Canada's outdoor-goods market, UFA ownership, acquisitions of local and national retail assets, and a substantial but ultimately unsuccessful effort to operate a multi-province specialty chain.
History
Wholesale Sports developed as a western Canadian specialist retailer serving customers whose activities included hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor sports. The business was founded by two brothers from Calgary and initially grew through the acquisition of local sporting-goods retailers. Frenchy's and Barottos Sports were among the businesses associated with its early expansion, helping Wholesale Sports establish a larger regional retail and distribution platform. The company broadened its physical network through a combination of acquisitions and new-store development. Its locations included markets such as Edmonton, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Kamloops. The chain's product mix covered outdoor equipment, apparel, and accessories, while its retail proposition also emphasized advice and merchandise suited to specific outdoor activities. In early 2008, UFA Co-operative Limited acquired Wholesale Sports Canada. The new owner expanded the chain's reach in 2009 by acquiring the leases of 15 Sportsman's Warehouse stores. Sportsman's Warehouse was a privately held retailer based in Salt Lake City with a substantial U.S. presence. The lease transaction gave Wholesale Sports access to additional stores and an employee base of approximately 1,200. The resulting network included sites in both Canada and the United States. The Fargo, North Dakota location closed in July 2011, leaving 14 U.S. stores and 11 Canadian stores according to the documented account of the chain's development. Wholesale Sports added Canadian locations during the following period. A store opened in Prince George, British Columbia, in 2013, followed by a Westbank, British Columbia, location in 2014. In the same broad period, UFA divested its U.S. Wholesale Sports business in 2013, concentrating the brand more firmly on its Canadian operations. The retailer also modernized its sales channels: in early 2015 it implemented a new e-commerce platform at its website, allowing the business to present its outdoor assortment online as well as through stores. The later history of Wholesale Sports was characterized by retrenchment. The Regina store closed in 2016. On September 14, 2017, the company stated that it intended to close all stores. Retail sales continued until December 28, 2017, which was the final business day before permanent closure. Wholesale Sports consequently became a defunct brand. Its historical significance lies in its role as a western Canadian outdoor retailer, its consolidation of local sporting-goods businesses, its period of UFA-backed expansion into U.S. locations, and its eventual withdrawal from the retail market.
- 2017
Retail operations end
[1]Wholesale Sports announced the closure of all stores and completed its final retail sales on December 28.
- 2016
Regina location closes
[1]The company's Regina store closed during the chain's later period of contraction.
- 2015
New e-commerce platform launched
[1]Wholesale Sports introduced a new online commerce platform at its website.
- 2014
Westbank store opens
[1]The chain opened another British Columbia location in Westbank.
- 2013
U.S. business divested
[1]UFA divested the U.S. Wholesale Sports business while the Canadian chain continued to expand.
- 2013
Prince George store opens
[1]Wholesale Sports opened a Canadian location in Prince George, British Columbia.
- 2011
Fargo store closes
[1]The Fargo, North Dakota location closed, reducing the U.S. store group to 14 locations.
- 2009
Sportsman's Warehouse lease acquisition
[1]UFA acquired leases for 15 Sportsman's Warehouse stores, expanding Wholesale Sports' presence across Canada and the United States.
- 2008
UFA acquires Wholesale Sports Canada
[1]UFA Co-operative Limited acquired the Canadian Wholesale Sports operation and became its parent company.
Products and positioning
A regional destination retailer for hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor pursuits, combining broad merchandise selection with product advice and specialist service.
Hunting
Hunting equipment and apparel
Hunting was one of Wholesale Sports' core merchandise categories. The chain supplied outdoor enthusiasts with hunting equipment, clothing, and related accessories through its specialist stores. The category supported the retailer's broader positioning as a destination for sportsmen and women seeking activity-specific products and practical retail advice.
Fishing
Fishing equipment
Fishing equipment and accessories formed another central part of the assortment. Wholesale Sports served anglers through its regional stores and provided merchandise intended for recreational and outdoor fishing activities. Specific product brands and individual ranges are not identified in the available reference material.
Camping
Camping gear
The retailer offered camping equipment for customers participating in outdoor travel and recreation. Camping sat alongside hunting and fishing as one of the chain's principal categories, supported by associated clothing and accessories. The available sources do not provide a detailed catalog of individual camping product lines.
Apparel and accessories
Outdoor clothing and accessories
Wholesale Sports sold clothing and accessories designed for outdoor sports and activities. These products complemented its equipment categories and helped position the chain as a general outdoor outfitter rather than a single-activity retailer.
Brand decisions
2017
Close all remaining storesStrategyBackground
The chain had entered a period of contraction following the closure of its Regina location in 2016.
Action taken
Wholesale Sports announced plans on September 14 to close all stores and continued retail sales through December 28.
Aftermath
The retailer permanently ended its store operations and became a defunct brand.
2015
Implement a new e-commerce platformProduct launchBackground
The retailer sought to extend its store-based outdoor-goods business into online retail.
Action taken
Wholesale Sports launched a new e-commerce platform through its website.
Aftermath
The company gained an online sales channel before its later store closures.
2013
Divest the U.S. Wholesale Sports businessM&ABackground
After operating stores in both Canada and the United States, UFA reassessed the geographic scope of the business.
Action taken
UFA divested its U.S. Wholesale Sports operation.
Aftermath
Wholesale Sports became more concentrated on its Canadian retail network.
2009
Acquire leases for Sportsman's Warehouse locationsM&ABackground
UFA sought to expand the Wholesale Sports footprint after acquiring the Canadian business in 2008.
Action taken
UFA acquired the leases of 15 Sportsman's Warehouse stores and integrated them into the Wholesale Sports operating network.
Aftermath
The transaction added locations and approximately 1,200 employees across Canadian and U.S. markets, although the U.S. business was later divested.
Sources1 sources
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