The Regatta Group

What The Regatta Group does

The Regatta Group is a privately held, family-owned UK outdoor apparel group founded in 1977 (originally as Risol) and headquartered at the Basecamp office in Urmston, Manchester, with 2,000+ employees globally. It designs, sources, and distributes outdoor clothing, footwear, and accessories through four distinct brands: Regatta Great Outdoors (affordable family outdoor wear since 1981), Craghoppers (premium technical outdoor brand acquired in 1995 with a Guarantee for Life and sustainability credentials), Dare2b (multi-sportswear for ski, cycle, run, and hike launched in 1999), and Regatta Professional (B2B workwear and corporate clothing). Operational infrastructure centres on the 640,000 sq ft Pioneer Point distribution centre in Ellesmere Port, which ships 100,000+ items per day to 55+ countries and includes one of Europe's highest manually picked racking units at 15.6m.

The group's revenue model combines four channels: 60+ owned retail stores across the UK, 250+ concessions in garden centres, department stores, and supermarkets, brand-specific e-commerce websites serving UK and Western European markets, and wholesale/B2B distribution through sales offices in Ireland, Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, Israel, and the USA. Customer segments span outdoor enthusiasts, families and urban commuters, premium adventure travellers, adrenaline sports participants, and corporate workwear buyers. Sourcing leverages direct Asian supplier relationships originating from founder Lionel Black's early China visits in 1980, supported by in-house buying and merchandising teams. The group holds three Queens Awards for Enterprise (first awarded 2012), the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards Brand of the Year for Craghoppers (2020), and 7 consecutive RoSPA Gold Awards for Health and Safety at Pioneer Point.

Governance remains family-controlled under CEO Keith Black (joined 1981) and co-leader Joanne Black, with no external private equity or institutional investment disclosed. Sustainability and community programmes (Project 5, The Regatta Foundation donating over £650,000 in 2021, Disability Confident Level 1 accreditation, 892 solar panels at Basecamp) and celebrity co-branding partnerships (Bear Grylls, Freddie Flintoff, Peppa Pig) support brand equity across the portfolio. Technology is described only generically (no proprietary platforms disclosed; Microsoft Dynamics 365 in use), with no AI/ML capabilities or proprietary data assets referenced in available materials.

Name

The Regatta Group

Legal name

Regatta Group

Website

https://regattagroupcareers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Regatta Group is a family-owned UK outdoor apparel company managing four brands (Regatta Great Outdoors, Craghoppers, Dare2b, Regatta Professional) serving mass-market families, premium outdoor enthusiasts, sports participants, and B2B workwear buyers through 60+ retail stores, 250+ concessions, e-commerce, and wholesale to 55+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Apparel and Footwear

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423910), Footwear Merchant Wholesalers (424340)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Retail-Family Clothing Stores (5651), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Adventure Multi-Category Retail (CRAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Recreation Equipment Distribution (Camping, Hiking, Climbing) (CRAOAJAB), Winter Sports (Ski/Snowboard) Retail (CRAMABAJ), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI)

Keywords

• Outdoor clothing
• Waterproof apparel
• Hiking footwear
• Corporate workwear
• Multi-sportswear

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Store Sales: Revenue generated from over 60 retail stores across the UK, from Truro to Fort William, selling Regatta Great Outdoors, Craghoppers, Dare2b, and Regatta Professional branded products directly to consumers.
2. Retail Concessions: Over 250 concessions located in garden centres, department stores, and supermarkets generate revenue through third-party retail partnerships.
3. E-commerce Direct Sales: Online direct-to-consumer sales across brand websites for Regatta, Craghoppers, Dare2b, and Regatta Professional, covering UK and international markets across 5 continents and over 55 countries.
4. Wholesale and B2B: Wholesale distribution to independent retailers and key accounts, and B2B corporate workwear/custom clothing sales through Regatta Professional for promotional outdoor clothing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Regatta Group designs, sources, and sells branded outdoor clothing, footwear, and accessories through four owned brands—Regatta Great Outdoors (affordable family outdoor apparel), Craghoppers (premium technical and adventure travel wear with sustainability credentials), Dare2b (multi-sportswear for ski, cycle, run, and hike), and Regatta Professional (brandable B2B workwear and corporate clothing)—alongside the Hawkshead high-street brand. Distribution combines 60+ UK retail stores, 250+ third-party concessions, brand-owned e-commerce sites, and wholesale to independent retailers across 55+ countries.

Product overview

The Regatta Group is a family-owned outdoor clothing and accessories retailer operating four distinct sub-brands. Regatta Great Outdoors serves as the flagship brand offering affordable outdoor clothing for the whole family, including waterproof jackets, fleeces, walking boots, and camping equipment. Craghoppers is positioned as a premium technical outdoor brand with sustainability credentials targeting adventure travel and hiking customers. Dare 2b focuses on adrenaline sportswear for ski, cycle, run, and hiking activities. Regatta Professional provides workwear and corporate clothing solutions with branding capabilities. The group also operates over 60 retail stores across the UK and over 250 concessions, alongside e-commerce operations shipping to over 55 countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Regatta Great Outdoors: Family owned outdoor and leisure clothing company with affordable clothing for adventurers and everyday outdoor activities including waterproof jackets, fleeces, walking boots and camping equipment
• Craghoppers
• Dare 2b
• Regatta Professional

Products and services

• Regatta Great Outdoors Flagship brand offering waterproof jackets, fleeces, walking boots, and camping equipment for the entire family at accessible price points, targeting ramblers, hikers, campers, and general consumers needing reliable outdoor apparel for unpredictable British weather.
• Craghoppers Premium technical outdoor brand offering adventure travel and hiking clothing with strong sustainability credentials and a Guarantee for Life, targeting technical outdoor enthusiasts seeking high-performance apparel for extended outdoor use.
• Dare2b Multi-sportswear brand for skiing, cycling, running, hiking, and athleisure activities, focused on innovative design and high-performance apparel for adrenaline sports participants.
• Regatta Professional B2B workwear and corporate clothing line offering brandable, durable, hardwearing products that combine safety and style for businesses, promotional outdoor clothing, and personal protective equipment, sold via dedicated field sales teams.
• Hawkshead High-street outdoor clothing brand acquired to complement the Group's premium and mass-market positioning and expand its high-street retail presence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £650,000 donated to charities in 2021 through The Regatta Foundation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Peppa PigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership collaboration with the Peppa Pig brand to develop co-branded outdoor clothing and accessories for children, leveraging the entertainment brand's appeal to families and generating cross-brand marketing reach.
• Bear GryllscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrity ambassador partnership with Bear Grylls, former Special Forces survival expert and TV personality. Bear Grylls officially opened the Pioneer Point distribution centre in Ellesmere Port. Partnership drives brand credibility in the outdoor and adventure segment.
• Freddie FlintoffcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrity ambassador partnership with former England cricketer and TV presenter Freddie Flintoff, bringing adventure credibility and mainstream media presence to the Regatta Group brands.
• The Regatta Foundation BeneficiariescoreOthersThe Regatta Foundation, established by Keith and Joanne Black, supports numerous charities annually, donating over £650,000 in 2021. Beneficiary charities include Alzheimer's Society, Royal Society of Blind children, Newlife (charity for disabled children), Galapagos Conservation Trust, Queen's Green Canopy, and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Also includes building support for a school in Bangladesh and rebuilding a village in Sri Lanka following the Tsunami.
• Drapers Sustainable Fashion AwardsminorOthersCraghoppers won Brand of the Year at the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards in 2020, an industry recognition event that provides credibility and PR value for sustainability credentials.
• RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)minorOthersPioneer Point distribution centre has maintained RoSPA Gold Award for Health & Safety for 7 consecutive years, demonstrating operational excellence and safety standards.
• Craghoppers Ambassadors and Charity PartnersminorOthersCraghoppers works with many Ambassadors and charities across the world, supporting their causes and making a positive impact on local communities. As a global outdoor adventure clothing specialist, the brand leverages ambassador relationships for product development feedback and marketing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Decathlon: French global multi-sport retailer designing and selling own-brand sporting goods, apparel and equipment across 50+ countries via large-format stores and e-commerce. Comparable to Regatta on affordable multi-sport apparel (Quechua, Decathlon brands) and growing UK footprint, though with much broader sporting goods coverage.
• The North Face (VF Corporation): Global premium outdoor and performance brand owned by VF Corporation, distributed through wholesale, own-retail and e-commerce worldwide. Overlaps with Regatta/Dare2b on performance sportswear, technical apparel, and ski/hike categories, but at much larger scale and with a different brand-tier positioning.
• Columbia Sportswear: US-listed global outdoor and active lifestyle apparel group with multi-brand portfolio (Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, prAna). Comparable to Regatta on multi-brand outdoor strategy, family value tier (Columbia) vs premium (Mountain Hardwear), and global wholesale plus DTC distribution.
• Helly Hansen: Norwegian-founded global outdoor, sailing and workwear brand owned by Canadian Tire. Overlaps with Regatta across waterproof outerwear (vs Regatta Great Outdoors), performance sports (vs Dare2b), and B2B workwear (vs Regatta Professional), but at a broader incumbent scale with deeper sailing/professional exposure.
• Jack Wolfskin: German outdoor apparel and equipment brand distributed across European wholesale, own-retail and concessions. Directly comparable on outdoor multi-category apparel, family and hiking segments, and European distribution model similar to Regatta's continental wholesale and concession structure.

Direct peers

• Mountain Warehouse: UK-headquartered value outdoor and outdoor apparel retailer with a multi-brand portfolio and own-brand product across family, hiking, ski and camping categories. Directly comparable to Regatta Great Outdoors on price positioning, store footprint and customer segment, and the closest like-for-like UK outdoor value retailer.
• Mountain Equipment: UK-based co-operative-owned technical outdoor clothing and equipment brand focused on mountaineering, climbing and hiking. Comparable to the Craghoppers premium technical tier on positioning, sustainability ethos and UK heritage, with overlapping hiking and expedition customer base.
• Berghaus: Heritage British outdoor clothing and equipment brand selling through UK retail and wholesale across hiking, mountaineering and trail categories. Comparable to Regatta/Craghoppers on technical outdoor positioning and UK heritage, though with a narrower product focus and brand portfolio.
• Trespass: Family-owned Scottish outdoor and ski clothing retailer selling affordable outerwear, fleeces, footwear and equipment to families and outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland. Comparable to Regatta Great Outdoors on value family positioning, ski range overlap with Dare2b, and multi-channel (store, web, wholesale) distribution.
• Rohan: UK-founded technical outdoor clothing brand with stores and wholesale in the UK and Scandinavia, focused on hiking, travel and active outdoor apparel. Comparable to the Craghoppers premium technical tier and to Regatta on UK direct retail and wholesale distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RegattaOutdoors
• Facebookfacebook.com/RegattaOutdoors
• Instagraminstagram.com/regattaoutdoors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Regatta Group