Zumiez

Zumiez is an American specialty retailer serving consumers interested in action sports and youth-oriented lifestyle fashion. Its merchandise mix includes apparel, footwear, accessories, and hardgoods connected with skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, and motocross. The company combines established action-sports labels, fashion brands, and merchandise sold under private or exclusive labels, using stores and e-commerce to reach its customers. The business began in 1978 when Thomas Campion and Gary Haakenson opened a store called Above the Belt at Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington. The early chain expanded through the Puget Sound region, adding locations at Everett Mall, Tacoma Mall, Alderwood Mall, and Bellevue Square. During the 1980s it extended beyond its original regional base and adopted the Zumiez name, establishing the identity used by the company today. Zumiez became a publicly traded company in 2005. Its subsequent growth included expansion outside the United States and the addition of international specialty retailers. In 2006 it acquired Fast Forward, a clothing business; in 2012 it acquired Blue Tomato, a European action-sports retailer; and in 2015 it acquired Fast Times, an Australian action-sports retailer. These transactions broadened the company's geographic reach and strengthened its connection with local action-sports communities. The company's retail concept is built around an active, culture-oriented shopping environment rather than a narrowly technical sporting-goods format. Alongside clothing and shoes, stores may carry skateboards, snowboards, bindings, protective equipment, backpacks, hats, and other accessories. Its target customer base has historically centered on young men and women, with product selection and in-store experiences designed around action-sports participation, music, streetwear, and youth culture. Zumiez has also used events and community programs to support its brand positioning. Its Couch Tour traveled to shopping centers associated with Zumiez stores for free events featuring live music, professional skateboarding demonstrations, and amateur competitions. The Zumiez Foundation, established in 2002, has supported clothing donations to organizations assisting people in need. These initiatives helped the company present itself as a participant in action-sports communities rather than only as a seller of apparel. The company's corporate office moved from Everett to Lynnwood, Washington, in 2012. Zumiez remains listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol ZUMZ. Reference material identifies Richard Brooks as president and chief executive officer. Store counts and geographic footprints change over time; a historical company description reported 726 stores as of February 3, 2018, including locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Zumiez traces its origin to 1978, when Thomas Campion and Gary Haakenson opened a retail store named Above the Belt at Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington. The founders initially developed the business as a regional mall retailer. During the first years, the chain expanded around the Puget Sound area, opening stores at Everett Mall, Tacoma Mall, Alderwood Mall, and Bellevue Square. The company continued adding stores outside its original market during the 1980s. As its merchandise and customer base became more closely associated with skateboarding, snowboarding, and related youth cultures, the corporate identity changed from Above the Belt to Zumiez. The new name supported a broader action-sports lifestyle positioning, covering apparel and footwear as well as equipment and accessories. Zumiez became publicly traded in 2005. Public-market status provided a platform for continued store development and international expansion, while the company retained a specialty-retail model centered on young men and women. Its assortment combined third-party brands with private-label and exclusive merchandise. The principal categories included clothing, shoes, accessories, skateboards, snowboards, and other hardgoods for action-sports participants and enthusiasts. The company's international development accelerated through acquisitions. In 2006, Zumiez purchased Fast Forward. In 2012, it acquired Blue Tomato, a European retailer known for action-sports products and lifestyle clothing. In 2015, it acquired Fast Times in Australia. These transactions extended the company's operating footprint beyond the United States and Canada and gave it local retail platforms in Europe and Australia. Zumiez also invested in experiential and community-oriented brand activity. Its Couch Tour operated for 13 years and visited 12 full-stop locations. Events were generally held at malls with Zumiez stores and were free to attend. Programming included live bands, professional skateboarding demonstrations, and competitions for local amateur skaters. The tour worked with industry brands and other sponsors to provide prizes or trophies, creating a connection between the retailer, professional athletes, emerging participants, and local shopping-center communities. In 2002, Zumiez established the Zumiez Foundation to donate clothing to people in need. A reported 2012 program total stated that more than 180,000 items had been donated to over 180 organizations across more than 20 U.S. states. The initiative complemented the company's youth-culture marketing with a charitable component. A serious incident occurred on January 25, 2014, at a Zumiez store in The Mall in Columbia, Maryland. A gunman killed two store employees and injured five other people before taking his own life. Police found additional ammunition and crude explosives in his backpack, and the devices were subsequently defused. The event is part of the company's documented history but is not a business scandal or allegation of corporate misconduct. The corporate office moved from Everett to Lynnwood, Washington, in 2012. A historical company description reported that, as of February 3, 2018, Zumiez operated 726 stores: 608 in the United States, 52 in Canada, 54 in Europe, and 12 in Australia. Because store numbers and market footprints change, that count should be treated as a historical snapshot rather than a current total. Reference material identifies Richard Brooks as president and chief executive officer. Zumiez continues to operate as a publicly listed specialty retailer under the ZUMZ ticker.

• 2018

  Historical store footprint reported

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  A company description reports 726 stores as of February 3, including locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

• 2015

  Fast Times acquisition

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  Zumiez acquires Fast Times in Australia.

• 2014

  Columbia, Maryland store shooting

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  A shooting at the Zumiez store in The Mall in Columbia kills two employees and injures five other people.

• 2012

  Blue Tomato acquisition and headquarters relocation

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  Zumiez acquires Blue Tomato and moves its corporate office from Everett to Lynnwood, Washington.

• 2006

  Fast Forward acquisition

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  Zumiez purchases Fast Forward.

• 2005

  Public listing

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  Zumiez becomes publicly traded under the ticker symbol ZUMZ.

• 2002

  Zumiez Foundation is established

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  The company begins a foundation focused on clothing donations to organizations serving people in need.

• 1980

  Puget Sound expansion

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  The early chain adds stores at Everett Mall, Tacoma Mall, Alderwood Mall, and Bellevue Square.

• 1980

  Corporate identity changes to Zumiez

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1980s, the company adopts the Zumiez name as it expands beyond its original regional market.

• 1978

  First Above the Belt store opens

  [1]Zumiezen.wikipedia.org

  Thomas Campion and Gary Haakenson open the first store at Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington, under the name Above the Belt.

Youth-oriented action-sports and lifestyle specialty retailer

• Apparel

  Action-sports apparel

  Zumiez sells clothing designed for action-sports participation and adjacent streetwear lifestyles. The assortment includes tops, bottoms, outerwear, denim, technical snow apparel, and casual pieces from established labels, private labels, and exclusive brands. The category connects functional sports clothing with youth-oriented fashion and graphic design.

• Footwear

  Footwear

  The footwear assortment includes skate shoes, sneakers, boots, sandals, and other casual styles associated with skateboarding, snowboarding, and streetwear. Products are selected for both everyday fashion use and sport-specific needs, with the mix varying by season and market.

• Action-sports equipment

  Skateboarding hardgoods

  Zumiez carries skateboards and related hardgoods, including decks, trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware, and accessories. This category supports both beginners and experienced skaters and reinforces the company's connection with skateboarding culture through equipment as well as apparel.

• Action-sports equipment

  Snowboarding equipment and apparel

  Snowboarding merchandise includes boards, bindings, protective products, outerwear, and accessories. The category combines technical equipment with lifestyle clothing and is particularly important to Zumiez's winter-sports and European action-sports positioning.

• Accessories

  Accessories

  Accessories include hats, bags, backpacks, jewelry, socks, belts, sunglasses, and other small lifestyle products. These items broaden the basket beyond core apparel and allow customers to express affiliation with skate, snow, surf, BMX, motocross, and streetwear communities.

• 2014

  Fatal shooting at a Zumiez store in Columbia, Maryland

  On January 25, a gunman opened fire inside the Zumiez store at The Mall in Columbia. Two employees were killed, five other people were injured, and the gunman later died by suicide. Police also found ammunition and crude explosive devices in his backpack; the devices were defused.

  Source

Read more

• 2013Couch Tour amateur skate competitions

  United States

  The 2013 Couch Tour involved action-sports and entertainment sponsors, with local amateur skaters competing at tour stops and receiving sponsor-provided prizes or trophies.

  Outcome. The activation provided a platform for amateur participation while associating Zumiez with professional and emerging skateboarding talent.

  Source
• 2002Zumiez Foundation clothing donations

  United States

  The Zumiez Foundation began donating clothing to organizations supporting people in need. A reported 2012 program total exceeded 180,000 donated items across more than 180 organizations in over 20 states.

  Outcome. The foundation established a continuing charitable dimension to the brand's community presence.

  Source
• 2000Couch Tour

  United States

  Zumiez operated the Couch Tour for 13 years, traveling to 12 full-stop locations. The free events combined live music, professional skateboarding demonstrations, and amateur competitions held near Zumiez stores.

  Outcome. The program connected the retail chain with local skate communities and action-sports brands.

  Source

• 2015

  Acquire Fast TimesM&A

  Background

  Zumiez continued building an international action-sports retail footprint.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Australian retailer Fast Times.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition expanded Zumiez's presence in Australia's action-sports market.

  Source

• 2012

  Acquire Blue TomatoM&A

  Background

  Zumiez was expanding its action-sports retail model beyond North America.

  Action taken

  The company acquired European retailer Blue Tomato.

  Aftermath

  The transaction strengthened Zumiez's European presence and added a local action-sports retail platform.

  Source

• 2006

  Acquire Fast ForwardM&A

  Background

  Zumiez sought to broaden its brand and apparel portfolio.

  Action taken

  The company purchased Fast Forward.

  Aftermath

  Fast Forward became part of Zumiez's broader retail and brand development activity.

  Source

• 2005

  Enter the public marketsStrategy

  Background

  After developing a multi-store specialty-retail chain, Zumiez pursued public-company status.

  Action taken

  Zumiez became publicly traded under the ticker ZUMZ.

  Aftermath

  The listing supported the company's continued development as a publicly traded specialty retailer.

  Source

• 1980

  Adopt the Zumiez identityStrategy

  Background

  The business began as Above the Belt and expanded beyond its initial Puget Sound market during the 1980s.

  Action taken

  The company changed its corporate identity to Zumiez while developing a broader action-sports and youth-lifestyle retail proposition.

  Aftermath

  The Zumiez name became the basis for subsequent regional, national, and international expansion.

  Source

1. 1Zumiezen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Zumiez official websitezumiez.com