Growth in the active outdoors industry has been constant for years, the global outdoor apparel market is projected to reach USD 66.37 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2024-2032. While American consumers increasingly invest in performance gear to support their adventurous lifestyles, Red Equipment offers high-quality paddleboarding gear that resonates with the ethos that life is better on the water.
Founded in 2008 in the U.K., Red Equipment has earned a global reputation for pioneering premium inflatable stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and performance outdoor gear all made to inspire adventure.
But pioneering premium performance gear goes way beyond navigating seawaters. In 2025, the outdoor gear industry is navigating a complex landscape as brands are contending with supply chain disruptions, rising tariffs, and shifting consumer expectations.
Amidst these challenges, Red Equipment has successfully expanded its direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecommerce operations globally. Central to this success is their partnership with Swap Commerce, the platform that has streamlined their international shipping and fulfillment processes.
The challenge
A Global Brand Bottlenecked by Old Infrastructure
As Red Equipment scaled internationally, its ecommerce operations were being throttled by legacy systems—especially their cross-border fulfillment provider. As Red Equipment's popularity soared, so did the complexities associated with international shipping and logistics. Managing multiple platforms, coordinating with various carriers, and ensuring timely deliveries became increasingly challenging, threatening to impede the brand's mission of inspiring adventure on the water.
“We had very little control over the system. Support was poor. Costs were high. And customers were getting surprise charges.”
[NAME] [LAST NAME]
[POSITION] @ [COMPANY]
With a complicated backend structure, poor client support, and painful order issues, Red’s global reach was being undermined by inefficiencies. Their need was clear: a seamless, transparent, and scalable solution to drive DTC sales across international markets.
The solution
Enter Swap
In the midst of a full ecommerce overhaul, Red discovered Swap, the ecommerce operating system designed to simplify and scale global logistics. The timing was perfect. Swap was rolled out alongside a new website launch—specifically starting with their “rest-of-world” store.
“Swap came along at a really good time. When we launched the new site, we rolled out a new cross-border fulfillment solution.”
[NAME] [LAST NAME]
[POSITION] @ [COMPANY]
Swap Provided:
- Seamless carrier and customs integrations
- Transparent pricing (no surprise duties)
- Territory-specific configurations for taxes, VAT, and pricing
- Direct backend control with real-time flexibility
The Results
A Clear Win
Since adopting Swap, Red Equipment has seen massive performance improvements:
- 111% increase in global sales YoY
- 65% boost in conversion rates
- 13% increase in average order value (AOV)
But more than the numbers, the transformation was about control, clarity, and customer confidence.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency:
Streamlined logistics processes reduced manual interventions and errors.
Improved Customer Experience:
Faster delivery times and reliable tracking increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Scaleable Infrastructure:
The ability to manage international shipping seamlessly supported Red Equipment's global expansion efforts.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Real-time inventory tracking facilitated better stock management and forecasting..
Looking Ahead
Red continues to expand globally, now managing US and Canadian markets directly. While new in-market inventory may reduce the need for Swap in North America, Red plans to continue leveraging Swap for Europe and other global markets.
Why It Works
Red Equipment + Swap is a case study in ecommerce modernization—proving that when brands align powerful products with intelligent logistics, global growth isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.
In a rapidly evolving outdoor gear market, Red Equipment's collaboration with Swap Commerce exemplifies how strategic partnerships can overcome logistical challenges and drive global e-commerce success. By simplifying international fulfillment and enhancing the customer experience, Red Equipment continues to deliver on its mission to inspire adventure on the water.
