LAST DAYS FOR RAY’S LEGACY
THE last local connection to one of Geelong’s most famous brands appears on borrowed time with the Rays store at Waurn Ponds set for a makeover.
It appears the Super Retail Group, which bought Ray’s Outdoors in 2010, is going to integrate the Waurn Ponds store with its recently acquired clothing retail company, Macpac, which specialises in outdoor recreational equipment.
Founded by Ray Frost in 1958 as a single store making tents and selling army disposals, Ray’s Outdoors became a famously successful pioneer in the outdoor, camping and leisure market.
The North Geelong store was closed some time ago but the legacy of Ray’s Outdoors has remained in its founding city at the Rays store in Waurn Ponds.
Super Retail Group has had a strategy over the past two years of converting Rays stores, or rebranding or closing them as it did this week with its Ballarat East store.
Earlier this month the Super Retail Group completed its purchase of Macpac Holdings, which has 54 stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Super Retail Group said a number of its retail brands, including Supercheap Auto, Rays, Rebel and BCF Boating Camping Fishing, all had a store presence in Waurn Ponds.
“Following the acquisition of Macpac, we intend to integrate the majority of Rays stores into the Macpac business over the coming 12 months,” a spokeswoman said. “We are committed to continuing to serve our local customers with the right range of solutions through our comprehensive range of brands.”