Evo (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sporting goods, Outdoor recreation |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Bryce Phillips |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Japan |
Key people | Bryce Phillips (Founder and CEO) |
| Products | Sporting goods, outdoor recreation products, equipment sales, repair services, rental options, curated travel experiences |
Evo (commonly styled as evo) is a United States-based retailer specializing in sporting goods and outdoor recreation products. Established in 2001, the company’s main office is located in Seattle, Washington, and it is overseen by its founder and CEO, Bryce Phillips.
Company overview
Based in Seattle, Washington, Evo is a prominent retailer in the fields of sporting goods and outdoor recreation. The firm derives approximately 70% of its revenue from its online platform. Evo maintains a physical presence with nine stores across the United States and Canada, alongside seven additional locations operating under the name Rhythm Japan in Japan.
These brick-and-mortar outlets provide customers with retail equipment sales, repair services, and rental options. In addition to retail operations, Evo manages hotel properties situated in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Whistler, British Columbia. Through its evoTrip division, the company also offers curated travel experiences focused on outdoor activities.
History
Evo was established in 2001 by Bryce Phillips, a former professional skier, initially operating as an online marketplace specializing in pre-owned ski gear. The company launched its first physical retail store in Seattle four years later, in 2005.
The brand broadened its brick-and-mortar footprint by opening a Portland, Oregon location in 2014. Subsequently, in 2016, Evo expanded further by acquiring Denver-based Edgeworks & Bicycle Doctor, enhancing its presence in Colorado.
Continuing its growth through acquisitions, Evo purchased Whistler Village Sports, an independent retailer with five outlets in Whistler, British Columbia, in 2018. In 2021, the company added Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures to its portfolio, which included the backcountry Journeyman Lodge near Whistler. The expansion extended internationally in 2022 with the acquisition of Rhythm Japan, an Australian-owned sporting goods chain operating seven stores across Japanese locations such as Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano.
As part of diversifying into hospitality and experiential retail, Evo inaugurated a multi-use facility in Salt Lake City in 2022. This venue features a hotel, bouldering gym, skatepark, and expanded retail areas. Plans to replicate this model were announced later that year with a proposed development in Tahoe City, California.
In 2022, Evo invested $17.5 million to acquire an entire city block in Seattle. This site is slated for transformation into a mixed-use complex incorporating office spaces alongside sports and retail amenities.
Community engagement
Evo has intentionally crafted its physical stores to function not only as retail outlets but also as community hubs.[1] Their more expansive venues frequently host a variety of events, including film premieres and art exhibitions. These locations also feature athletic amenities like skateparks and climbing gyms, alongside dedicated retail spaces for local enterprises and dining establishments.[2]
In 2021, Evo committed to contributing $10 million across a decade to support nonprofit organizations that promote outdoor participation among underrepresented groups.[3]
Evo outdoors
Established in 2001, Evo outdoors expanded its operations to include outdoor retail stores and hotels focused on winter sports across five U.S. states, Canada, and three Japanese prefectures. The company maintains its headquarters in Seattle, Washington.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Originating from Phillips’ garage near what is now Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, Evo has grown significantly. In February 2022, the company unveiled Campus Salt Lake, a $42 million multi-experience facility located in the Granary District.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name