Growing up in regional Australia a highlight of my occasional trips to Sydney was to visit the shops in town, and in particular to loose myself in the corridors and rooms of the iconic Gowings department store on George Street. While the Gowings Building remains an icon of the Sydney city area, the Gowings store that it once contained has long since moved on..
Recently, however, I was thrilled to be contacted by the Gowings team and to learn about their journey with the brand. Gowings continues to operate today as an investment company that contains several water focused outdoor brands including FCS, Softech, Gorilla, Hydro, Kanulock and Alvey Reels.
Gowings has now brought these brands together under the new Gowings Pacific Trader banner launching a massive online store that also features an awesome list of other outdoor and surf brands. For those on the Mid North Coast where I grew up there is also a flagship store in Coffs Harbour.
To learn more about Gowings Pacific Trader, read the Q&A below or check out their website here: https://gowingspacifictrader.com.au/
Toby Ryston-PrattÂ
Publisher, Wild Magazine Founder, Adventure Entertainment
Q + A with Gowings Pacific Trader
Can you tell me a little about Gowings Pacific Trader? At Gowings Pacific Trader our mission is to create and curate outdoor and adventure products that last the journey with you. We bring together world-class outdoor and adventure brands in one place – and we’re thoughtfully growing our brand family regularly. From the vibrant coastal haven of Coffs Harbour that we call home, to our global network of outdoor enthusiasts, Gowings Pacific Trader is proud to be part of a community of everyday adventurers.
From the vibrant coastal haven of Coffs Harbour that we call home, to our global network of outdoor enthusiasts, Gowings Pacific Trader is proud to be part of a community of everyday adventurers.
Tell me about what products you sell – are any of them unique to the market?
Gowings Pacific Trader owns FCS, Softech and Alvey so we stock the entire range of these products. We are also the Australian distributor of RUX and Parkit, hence you can only buy these products through Gowings Pacific Trader. RUX is an American brand that was born out of a desire to make the good times roll a little smoother by creating bags that keep your gear in check. Their lineup of multi-functional, weatherproof bags are designed for the long haul, ready to take a few punches when the trail gets tough so you can focus on the fun. Parkit is a Canadian brand that offers chairs that are rugged and lightweight.
I heard you could hire boards as well as book surf trips through Gowings Pacific Trader?
Yes we have partnered with World Surfaris who is a global surf travel brand, delivering hand-picked surf charters and island adventures since 1997. Their team of Surf Travel Specialists provide informative region knowledge, personalised advice and comprehensive travel support to thousands of surfers annually.
We also rent softboards, bodyboards and fishing gear in Coffs Harbour from just $30 per day- see website for more details.
I hear Alvey has just launched a new range of fishing reels, can you tell me more about these?
Alvey is a beloved Australian brand since 1920 – its renowned for quality, expertise, and unmatched performance. Gowings purchased Alvey a couple of years ago and we are now significantly investing in the brand and innovating. Alvey’s iconic products continue to be developed and manufactured here in Australia. The new Alvey Whale Reel Range is a modern evolution of an Australian fishing icon. This range comprises 2 new series of reels, the Commander and Captain Series reels. Each series has models including the Orca, Pilot, Southern Right. Each model was named after whales as a part of our ongoing commitment to ocean conservation.
What are some great gift ideas for Christmas?
GPT has some exciting new products in store which are perfect for gifts. The Alvey waistbag, Fcs drinkware, Bellroy wallets, The James Brand EDC (Everyday carry knives and carabiners), Quary sunglasses, Human sandals and Mennie socks are a few of our staffs favourites.
Anything else we should know?
Yes, Gowings Pacific Trader donates 1% of sales to our Gowings Whale Trust which focuses on the goal of protecting and preserving our oceans and marine life. We also have Trader rewards whereby you can earn points for every purchase. Come check out our store as we have great gear for adventure and Christmas gifts!
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