Runnings buys R.P. Home & Harvest
Runnings, a Minnesota-based retailer, has agreed to purchase Edwardsville, Illinois-based R.P. Home & Harvest, a family-owned farm and ranch company with 22 locations and one distribution facility across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.
“These stores and communities are very similar to the markets we presently serve and, after many discussions with R.P. Home & Harvest’s leadership, both companies knew this would be a great fit from a culture, values, and operations standpoint,” said Brian Odegaard, president of Runnings.
Upon completion of this acquisition, Runnings’s footprint will expand to 80 locations, serving customers in 12 states from New York to Montana.
“It’s pretty amazing how quickly this all came together,” said Jason Plummer, president of R.P. Home & Harvest. “Just a couple of months ago this wasn’t even on the radar but when a win-win opportunity appears, it is an exciting thing.
The transaction between Runnings and R.P. Home & Harvest is scheduled to close in June, said the retailer.
“Runnings has been doing this for over 75 years, and they are one of the top farm, home, and outdoor-store companies in America, extremely well-regarded by customers and competitors. We are both family-owned companies and that means a lot to us,” said Plummer.
“This deal would not have come together,” he said, “if we did not have the utmost confidence that Runnings will do a phenomenal job for all stakeholders.”
The stores will continue operating as R.P. Home & Harvest for a limited period as Runnings transitions the stores to their brand, said the company.
“From the customers and the communities to the employees and vendors, we truly feel this is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved,” said Odegaard.
Runnings, founded in 1947 and based in Marshall, Minnesota, is owned by the Dennis and Adele Reed Family.
This privately held retailer sells pet supplies; sporting goods including hunting and fishing equipment; clothing and footwear; lawn and garden supplies; housewares, tools, farm supplies, toys and outdoor equipment; and currently has 58 stores and employs more than 2,700 workers across eight states.
R.P. Home & Harvest is an affiliate of R.P. Lumber Co., Inc., a family-owned home center and building materials retailer.
