Denver’s Gart Cos. is merging its Bag’n Baggage with California travel catalog-sales company Magellan Travel Supplies.
The equal-partnership merger will be based in Denver, with each company operating independently. The marrying of the two brands is expected to push both companies’ travel products into expanded retail channels. Plans are underway to expand Magellan’s exclusive product lines while boosting the company’s presence online and in retail stores.
Magellan, which was established in 1989 and is majority- owned by private-equity firm Sverica International, boasts 1.8 million catalog and e-commerce customers and has two specialty stores in Southern California.
“Our private label products that solve travel challenges have become part of our signature, and now we can bring them to a wider audience through Colorado Bag’n Baggage stores,” said Magellan chief executive Mark Gallo in an announcement Thursday.
Colorado Bag’n Baggage, which formed in 2008 with the merger of Texas Bag’n Baggage and Colorado Baggage, has more than 30 stores in Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, California and Hawaii.
Ken Gart, partner of the Gart Cos., called the merger a game- changer for both companies.
