Cotswold Outdoor Group, the parent company of high street brands Cotswold Outdoor, Runners Need and Snow + Rock, has launched its new retail media network, Cotswold Outdoor Group Media Portal.

The portal is built on Zitcha's platform, a next-generation retail media platform designed to help retailers grow profit through unified, omnichannel advertising. The technology aims to help the firm plan, deliver and report across its entire network by integrating onsite, offsite and in-store advertising.

The Group said the platform will combine in-store digital screens and brand elevations, onsite opportunities such as website banners and sponsored product listings, and offsite campaigns across Meta and YouTube.

Jamie Kristow, chief executive at Cotswold Outdoor Group, emphasised how the retail landscape is undergoing a shift, with their move allowing the firm to keep up with the fast-moving retail and advertising sectors.

"By combining our in-store expertise and customer service with a premium digital experience, we're furthering our mission to not only support our brand partners but also elevate the experience we offer to our loyal shoppers," he said.

In 2017, Cotswold Outdoor said it had implemented an omnichannel solution, Call Intelligence from ResponseTap, to manage its 80 stores throughout the UK and its e-commerce proposition.

The Group has faced financial challenges over the years. The company has reported pre-tax losses for a decade, with total losses exceeding £110 million since 2015.

However, in 2024, the group reported significantly reduced losses, with a pre-tax loss of £380,000, an improvement from £7.3 million in 2023.

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