From Czech Campground to European E-Commerce Powerhouse: The 4camping.cz Story
Fourteen years and fourteen countries. That’s the remarkable trajectory of 4camping.cz, a Czech e-commerce business that has exploded from a local, relatively unknown online shop into a major player exceeding 1.12 billion Czech Koruna (approximately $50 million USD) in revenue in 2025. The company reported over 913 million Koruna in revenue and an EBITDA profit of 59.2 million Koruna in 2024, demonstrating consistent and impressive growth.
The COVID-Fueled Expansion
The key to this success? A rapid expansion beyond its Czech roots, strategically launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially focused solely on Slovakia, 4camping.cz aggressively entered twelve additional markets, including Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, and France. This wasn’t simply about geographic reach; it was about capitalizing on a surge in outdoor recreation as travel restrictions limited other leisure options. According to a report by Statista, the European camping equipment market experienced a 15% growth surge in 2020 and 2021, providing a fertile ground for expansion.
“We’re ambitious,” says Ondřej Žák, Director of 4camping.cz, in an interview with Seznam Zpravy. “We aim for 28% growth this year, bringing our revenue close to 1.5 billion Koruna.” This growth isn’t just about sales; it’s underpinned by significant investment in automation.
The Future of Fulfillment: Smart Packaging and Automation
4camping.cz is investing 150 million Koruna (approximately $6.7 million USD) in warehouse automation between 2025 and 2027. The centerpiece of this investment is an autonomous packing line designed to create custom-sized boxes for each order. This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s a strategic move to reduce shipping costs and environmental impact.
“The boxes will be up to 15% smaller, reducing material and void fill usage. This also saves space during transport,” Žák explains. This focus on optimized packaging aligns with a broader industry trend towards sustainable e-commerce practices. Companies like Amazon are also heavily investing in right-sizing packaging to reduce waste and shipping costs, demonstrating the industry-wide recognition of this benefit.
Pro Tip: Smaller packaging isn’t just good for the environment; it can significantly reduce ‘dimensional weight’ charges from shipping carriers, a major cost factor for e-commerce businesses.
Competing in a Crowded Market
For a relatively low-margin player like 4camping.cz, which currently fulfills orders from a central warehouse near Pardubice, Czech Republic, minimizing shipping costs is crucial. The company faces stiff competition from established retail giants like Decathlon, Hudy, and Rock Point, as well as aggressive online marketplaces. However, 4camping.cz is differentiating itself through a combination of competitive pricing, a strong brand identity, and a commitment to customer experience.
While acknowledging the impact of marketplaces on advertising costs (performance marketing is up 10-30% year-over-year), Marketing Director Zbyšek Pochylý highlights the success of their brand-building efforts. “Thanks to investments in our brand, we’ve managed to keep our cost-per-revenue ratio stable, even with the increased cost of advertising,” he says, pointing to the positive reception of their first TV and billboard campaigns.
From Exhibition Rescue to Pan-European Retail
The story of 4camping.cz is a classic entrepreneurial tale. Founded in 2012 by Petr Burián and Jaroslav Skalka, the company began as a rescue operation for a struggling tent exhibition at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Recognizing a market opportunity, they transformed the exhibition into a year-round online business.
Early growth was hampered by low internet penetration and consumer hesitancy towards online shopping. However, as digital adoption increased, the founders realized that a purely online presence wasn’t enough. They strategically invested in a network of brick-and-mortar stores, starting with one in 2014 and now operating nearly thirty locations across Central and Eastern Europe.
Did you know? Combining online and offline retail – a strategy known as ‘omnichannel’ – can increase customer lifetime value by up to 30%, according to research by Harvard Business Review.
The Road Ahead: Diversification and Brand Building
While the Czech Republic currently accounts for around half of 4camping.cz’s revenue, the company aims to reduce this dependence to 20-30% by expanding its international footprint. This diversification strategy is coupled with a focus on developing private label brands – Warg, Zulu, and Mooa – and acquiring complementary businesses. The recent majority stake acquisition in Sport Schwarzkopf, a manufacturer of the High Point outdoor equipment brand, is a prime example of this strategy.
The product mix is also evolving. While tents, sleeping bags, and mats remain important, apparel now represents the largest share of sales. The company is also seeing strong growth in climbing equipment, reflecting a broader trend towards more adventurous outdoor activities.
FAQ
Q: Where does 4camping.cz ship to?
A: Currently, 4camping.cz ships to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bulgaria.
Q: What is 4camping.cz’s return policy?
A: 4camping.cz offers a 30-day return policy for most items, provided they are unused and in their original packaging.
Q: Does 4camping.cz offer financing options?
A: Yes, 4camping.cz partners with several financing providers to offer installment payment plans.
Q: What are the benefits of 4camping.cz’s warehouse automation?
A: The automation will lead to smaller, more efficient packaging, reduced shipping costs, and a lower environmental impact.
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Share your thoughts! What other trends do you see shaping the future of outdoor retail? Leave a comment below.
