Rip Curl appears to be in the midst of a serious retail acquisition strategy, snapping up yet another chain of surf stores in Australia.
The latest addition to Rip Curl's portfolio is Victorian based retail business, Ozmosis. The operator has 19 stores in locations including Chadstone, Fountain Gate and Frankston and retails surf apparel and footwear for men, women and children.
As part of the acquisition, Rip Curl will retain all Ozmosis staff including general manager Tom Cahill. Rip Curl Asia Pacific CEO Steven Kay said the company was looking forward to working with its new Melbourne-headquartered team.
"Melbourne is one of the great epicentres of youth culture and Victoria home to some of the best surfing, skiing and snowboarding in the country, and Rip Curl wants to provide its customers with better access to the lifestyle products they need. Ozmosis can really help us do that," Kay said.
The Ozmosis deal follows Rip Curl's purchase in 2010 of 15 surf stores in Western Australia. The stores trade under the name Waves and will now be managed by Cahill from Ozmosis.
In addition to Rip Curl, Ozmosis stores currently stock brands including Quiksilver, Billabong, Rusty, Hurley, Elwood and Urban Originals.
For more on Rip Curl's acquisition plans, pick up a copy of Ragtrader magazine's May 20, 2011 edition.