Manager for New Bass Pro Shops Outpost Feels at Home in the Outdoors
OutdoorHub 10.14.14
Having traveled extensively throughout Canada and the United States, Giles Fisher has a deep appreciation for the outdoors. From hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta to freshwater fishing in Nova Scotia, saltwater fishing in British Columbia, and ice fishing in northern Ontario, Fisher says he feels at home in the outdoors. Little wonder that he feels equally at home as the general manager for the new Bass Pro Shops Outpost in Niagara-on-the-Lake opening later this month.
Born and reared in Ontario, Fisher has lived in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and Nova Scotia. He has traveled to every province with the exception of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and has a sincere love and respect for the Canadian outdoors.
“I have always enjoyed the outdoors and all it has to offer,” said Fisher.
He returns to Ontario after living the past six years in Alberta where he was the general manager for the Bass Pro Shops store in Rocky View.
“My family and I are extremely happy to be back home. Plus, I am looking forward to enjoying some of the best fishing found anywhere in the world,” he said.
It is this passion for the outdoors that Fisher wants to pass on to Bass Pro Shops visitors and customers. “I am looking forward to helping area youth and adults get involved in outdoor activities that will help educate and create a lasting foundation that in turn can be passed on to generations to come,” he said.
Fisher worked for Bass Pro Shops at their first Canadian location in Toronto for 3 1/2 years on the operations and merchandising sides of the business. He helped open Bass Pro Shops first international location and the Toronto store was the company’s “Store of the Year” for 2006.
“Customers come to Bass Pro Shops for the best of everything—product selection, prices, world class customer service and the experiential element our stores offer,” said Fisher.
The new 80,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outpost is the anchor for The Outlet Collection at Niagara—a 480,000-square-foot shopping center under construction by Ivanhoé Cambridge at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth Way and Homer Road.
Nationally, Bass Pro Shops will host more than 116 million people visiting their 88 stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada this year. The average customer stays 2 ½ hours and drives an average distance of 50+ miles. Bass Pro Shops was named by Advertising Age magazine as one of the Top 10 Hottest Brands in America along with name brands such as Old Spice, M&M’s, iPad and Droid. Also, Bass Pro Shops has been recognized numerous times for their conservation and outdoor education efforts.
“Bass Pro Shops is the leader in the retail outdoor recreation industry,” said Fisher who has more than 20 years of big box retail experience. He previously spent 10 years at Home Depot in British Columbia and Ontario in various senior level store management positions and was involved in the opening of five stores as Home Depot established their Canadian division.
Bass Pro Shops lodge-like exteriors and outdoor-themed interiors make them popular with customers. The outdoors feel is brought indoors through massive log and rock work, large indoor aquariums and water features stocked with native fish species as well as an extensive collection of museum quality fish and wildlife mounts. Historic photos and exhibits will pay tribute to the region’s great outdoor heritage.
“The Bass Pro Shops Outpost in Niagara-on-the-Lake will exhibit museum-quality artifacts, feature beautiful dioramas of the great Canadian countryside and authenticate the great outdoors indoors,” he said. “We will also work closely with our conservation partners to help protect and promote those outdoors resources.”
Since the beginning, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris has been dedicated to inspiring people, especially youth and families, to love, enjoy and conserve the great outdoors. That commitment, demonstrated over the course of several decades, is a big reason why Bass Pro Shops is known as the outdoor industry’s corporate conservation leader. Bass Pro Shops’ has partnered with and supports the efforts of many organizations that work to conserve and manage the nation’s natural resources. The company’s key conservation initiatives include fish and wildlife habitat improvements, conservation and outdoor skills education, improving water quality and quality of our lakes and springs, and conservation advocacy.
A special Evening for Conservation to help benefit area conservation groups will take place the night before the official grand opening. This exciting, celebrity-packed event is free and open to the public. Information regarding this event will be available soon.
Fisher will lead a team of approximately 200 associates from the area who promote the outdoor lifestyle and live it as well. In addition, the store will offer free outdoor skills workshops throughout the year for adults, kids and families that will help maximize outdoor fun by teaching new skills and improving existing ones.
“We have worked hard to hire individuals who have a great knowledge of the area, and a love of the outdoors, so our customers will be able to get everything they need for their outdoor experience,” said Fisher. “All departments have individuals with years of experience in their field standing ready to help our customers when they walk through those front doors.”
“Visiting our stores is very much an experience for the entire family,” Fisher said. “The outdoor enthusiasts will spend hours walking around exploring our merchandise; the kids love our aquarium. Our stores become major tourist attractions for the cities and provinces they are located in.”
Contact
Katie Mitchell, Bass Pro Shops Communications Manager (417-873-5618) kamitchell@basspro.com
