MADISON HEIGHTS – Outdoor retailer Moosejaw Mountaineering has hired Harvey Kanter, a veteran specialty retailer, as President and CEO, while previous CEO and founder, Robert Wolfe, has assumed the role of Chief Creative and Chairman Emeritus.
“This is a great move for Moosejaw and me personally,” said Wolfe. “Harvey brings a wealth of retail and leadership experience that will primarily be focused on enhancing operations and building the infrastructure to support the long-term growth of the company”
Kanter has more than 25 years of retail experience, with executive leadership roles at Michaels Craft Stores, Aaron Brothers Framing, Eddie Bauer, and more.
“I looked at a number of opportunities, but nothing offered the level of brand loyalty, customer engagement, and growth potential that I see in Moosejaw,” said Kanter.
In early 2007, Moosejaw partnered with Parallel Investment Partners of Dallas, Texas, primarily due to the firm’s specialty retail investment expertise. With Parallel’s help, Moosejaw has continued to grow its brick-and-mortar presence, created a state-of-the-art multi-channel e-commerce, mobile commerce and point of sale system, upgraded its call center and warehouse distribution center, tripled the size of the Moosejaw brand apparel line and much more.
Along with brother Jeffrey and sister Julie Wolfe, Robert built Moosejaw from a single store retail outfit in Keego Harbor in 1992, and turned it into a $40 million-a-year multi-channel retailer with seven shops, mail order catalogs, two mobile websites and five online websites.
Moosejaw offers products from leading outdoor manufacturers including The North Face, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, and Black Diamond as well as under its own Moosejaw brand. The company serves a diverse customer base including serious outdoor enthusiasts, active individuals pursuing an outdoor lifestyle, and high school and college students who are passionate about the Moosejaw brand.
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