SALT LAKE CITY — Even amid COVID-19 induced economic conditions that have slowed business to a crawl, Utah outdoor gear specialist Cotopaxi is finding ways not just to keep its own people working but continue its mission of giving back to those in need.
Cotopaxi co-founder and CEO Davis Smith said company staff at all levels have taken pay reductions in order to keep everyone working as pandemic restrictions have led to the closure of its own two stores as well as 500 locations operated by retail partners. And while in-person shopping has zeroed out due to social distancing concerns, even Cotopaxi’s online traffic has slowed dramatically, thanks to a product portfolio that’s driven in large part by travel and outdoor adventuring.
But Cotopaxi has connected with another Utah-based specialty retailer that, thanks to its own unique product category, is finding feast where so many other businesses work to avoid famine.
Pandemic and earthquake-related concerns, and the panic-buying they’ve induced, has led to a huge spike in sales for Park City-based Uncharted Supply Co., a company that offers preparedness products for the “everyday person.” With the influx of sales, Uncharted founder/CEO Christian Schauf said he and his staff have been overwhelmed with orders and are working long hours to keep up with demand.
Through a novel combining of one struggling company’s assets and a peaking company’s needs, Uncharted is now making us of near-idle Cotopaxi warehouse space, as well as staffers, that is keeping its in-demand items flowing and putting both Uncharted and Cotopaxi in a better position — in spite of vastly different circumstances — to get through the current challenges, together.
“With 24 hours notice, we mobilized and created an extended partnership with our friends at Cotopaxi,” Schauf said in a statement. “In a blizzard, we moved all of our inventory and fulfillment aspects of our business to Salt Lake City and Cotopaxi welcomed us into their warehouse.
“This ensured that not only were we able to stay open, but we were able to more quickly fulfill orders and catch up. We are extremely thankful for Cotopaxi’s hospitality and to their staff for getting on board to help us get orders out the door as swiftly as possible.”
Since launching in 2014, Cotopaxi has dedicated 1% of annual sales to help address global poverty and currently earmarks about 4% of annual revenues to bolster employment and pay equity in the company’s supply chain, support refugee programs in Utah and fund grants to relief organizations. The company also subjects itself to a set of rigorous social and environmental standards as a Certified B Corp. Last year, Cotopaxi launched a philanthropic arm, the Cotopaxi Foundation, that formalized partnerships and programs supported by the company’s revenue contributions.
Smith said the new partnership with Uncharted is a natural fit and is helping Cotopaxi continue to stave off staff reductions as well as continue its own pandemic-related outreach efforts, including raising funds for Utah communities through sales of #OneUtah T-shirts.
“These are exceptional times that we, globally, are facing, and as a B Corp with giving back and doing good at our core, this partnership of neighbors was a no-brainer for our brand,” Smith said in a statement. “We are honored to be members of the Utah business community, and are doing everything we can to support our local and global community, particularly through our #OneUtah campaign.
“Our work with Uncharted, in both operational and consumer-facing product collaborations, has been a mutually beneficial, positive and uplifting partnership.”
Besides teaming up to tackle back-end packing and logistics, the two companies have a product partnership in the works that will integrate Uncharted’s preparedness products into Cotopaxi’s packs. Cotopaxi and Uncharted plan to launch this first product collaboration next month.
Cotopaxi has also announced a quarantine-altered edition of its annual Questival events. Held in dozens of cities each year, the Questivals feature a scavenger hunt-meets-outdoor adventure-community service competition aimed at building friendships, a love of the outdoors and stronger community ties.
For a world currently remade by the pandemic, Cotopaxi announced Questival Quaranteam, a “virtual adventure experience during the nationwide shelter in place/stay at home mandate.”
Cotopaxi said the Quaranteam events will expand on the original 24-hour Questival experience and “create an interactive, engaging and safe experience for those seeking fun, adventure and connection during these isolating times.” Set to begin on Thursday, Cotopaxi will provide a list of creative challenges to complete, ranging in difficulty and possible points, and teams of one to six people (in the same household, or teams can be formed with others via video chat) have 72 hours to complete as many as possible.
Challenges will fall into categories such as Do Good, Adventure, Quirky, Fitness/Wellness, Teamwork and Family, and the experience is open to participants of all ages. Using the Cotopaxi Quaranteam app, participants upload videos and pictures of completed challenges within the 72-hour timeframe. Teams from around the globe will not only compete against but also judge each other, and the top 10 teams will win coveted prizes totalling over $6,000 from Cotopaxi.
Entry fees are $10 per person with 100% of proceeds going to the International Rescue Committee’s Crisis Response Fund to combat COVID-19.
“Our community is the heart and soul of the Cotopaxi brand,” Smith said in a statement. “This is an extremely difficult time for people around the world, and we wanted to ensure that beyond our charitable endeavors, we could support the families and individuals that may be struggling with this immense change.
“Our outdoors playground will be there for us when it is time, but right now we must stay home, stay safe and Quaranteam on.”