Inc. 500 Online Retailer Bought by Media Firm

 

Backcountry.com, a Park City, Utah-based online outdoor-gear retailer, was recently acquired by Liberty Media, an Englewood, Colo.-based firm that owns interests in a range of retailing and communications businesses.

The acquisition will enable Liberty Media, which also owns shopping channel QVC, to expand its online presence, company officials said Tuesday. Backcountry.com, founded in 1997 by two skiing buddies, has since grown into the second-largest outdoor-gear e-commerce site in the United States.

"There is no better ally for Backcountry.com than Liberty Media," Backcountry co-founder and CEO Jim Holland, said in a statement. "Their experience, resources and philosophy will enable us to improve our service and capacity on every level while maintaining the independent spirit and culture that has been integral to Backcountry.com's success."

Backcountry.com ranked No. 165 on the 2006 Inc. 500 list of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.

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