America’s biggest RV seller is closing more stores
People quickly forget the importance of something if they have access to it daily. When the lockdowns struck, a number of people only realized the value of free movement and travel.
Unexpectedly, the recreational vehicle (RV) market boomed during the pandemic. Travel trailers were considered the safest option for many Americans who were dying to travel, but feared crowded spaces.
Fast forward a few years and so-called “Covid campers” are now dealing with the weakest RV retail environment in over 15 years, Camping World’s CEO Matt Wagner said in the company’s Q1 2026 earnings report that was obtained by The Motley Fool.
Under my travel coverage for TheStreet, I previously highlighted this concerning trend, stemming from high fuel and overall traveling costs, which has forced many Americans to significantly cut their discretionary expenses.
Battling this challenging environment, the largest RV retailer in the United States, Camping World Holdings, Inc. (CWH) just confirmed more store closures and also lowered its full-year 2026 adjusted profitability outlook.
But beyond shifting market demand and economic headwinds, the retail giant is also quietly contending with growing legal troubles on the ground.
Camping World to close another 4 stores amid weaker demand
On Oct. 5, 2026, Camping World lowered its previously announced guidance range, projecting full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA to be below the low end of its previous range of $230 million to $270 million.
Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of operating profitability that excludes interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain one-time items.
“The Company’s current outlook takes into account a broad range of potential outcomes amid continued uncertainty regarding macroeconomic conditions and RV industry demand,” Camping World said in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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Camping World reiterated how both new and used vehicle unit sales softened sequentially in July amid weaker demand.
In response to this new trend, the retailer has announced additional layoffs and the closure of four dealerships, two of which the company plans to reopen later. These cuts are expected to save at least $50 million a year and create a leaner, more efficient business by the fourth quarter, according to the filing.
The news follows up on the previous store closures.
Camping World previously closed 13 locations
In August I reported on the dealer’s previous closures. After going through the company’s official documents and filings, I discovered that Camping World has closed 13 locations in just 12 months.
More precisely, the documents revealed that over the 12 months ended March 31, 2026, Camping World:
- Consolidated 10 store locations
- Closed 3 stores
- Temporarily closed 1 location
- Opened 4 new locations
The company’s official records also showed that in 2025 alone, Camping World’s full-time employee count dropped from 12,701 to 11,144.
Why Camping World has been closing stores, laying off employees
Camping World previously confirmed it has consolidated and closed stores to “improve overall cost efficiency of the remaining store location,” according to the filing.
Camping World’s latest filing confirms the difficult environment and increasing pressures. Although the decline in new vehicle sales slowed in August and September, margins on those sales remained below expectations, the company said.
Tougher economic conditions, including shifting energy prices and interest rates, are “pressuring the Company’s near-term demand and vehicle margin outlook,” according to the filing.
Travelers can’t afford as many trips as they used to
Industry data goes in line with what Camping World is saying, as market forecasts for wholesale RV shipments indicate ongoing market contraction.
The RV market is declining with shipments projected for an 8.2% decline from 2025, driven by higher financing costs, inflation, economic uncertainty and weaker consumer confidence, according to RV Industry Association (RVIA).
“Economic headwinds and tightening household budgets are weighing on consumer demand and contributing to a more cautious outlook for RV shipments in 2026. Higher financing costs, increased uncertainty, and continued inflationary pressure on household budgets are causing many consumers to delay discretionary purchases,” said RV Industry Association president and CEO Craig Kirby.
More Retail:
- Home Depot is making a big bet on cautious consumers
- Another state just banned a controversial retail pricing practice
- JPMorgan just flagged a slow-build food crisis
Earlier this year, during the 2026 RV Industry Power Breakfast, Toby O’Rourke, CEO of KOA, the largest campground network in North America, raised a red flag on the latest industry trends.
O’Rourke stressed that while more people are camping overall, the frequency of their trips is significantly lower than in previous years. Data also revealed that 5% to 8% of people who own an RV didn’t use it last year, and that might be a conservative estimate.
“This difference in participation has a big impact at campgrounds, but it also has a big impact at dealers because if people are not using their product, they’re not inclined to upgrade or purchase another one,” O’Rourke explained, as reported by RV Business.
She stressed that people have not lost the love for camping, they just can’t afford to do it as often as they used to.
RV Lifestyle travel writer Mike Wendland said that based on current fuel prices, campground fees, and food and activities costs, a long weekend ends up costing more than a week used to cost.
Other outdoor retailers are also struggling
The outdoor recreation industry faces a severe post-pandemic slump as high interest rates, inflation, and fuel costs force households to pull back on big-ticket discretionary items.
While sales of RVs and boats boomed during lockdowns, consumers are now cutting back on high-cost “nice to haves”.
Beyond Camping World, major industry players are shuttering stores to lower overhead. Powersports retailer RideNow Group closed five underperforming locations and consolidated three others into larger multi-brand stores, a strategic pivot that helped lift its operating profits.
Other outdoor sectors are seeing similar restructuring. Recreational boating giant West Marine filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and moved to close 91 locations nationwide.
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Camping World operational and legal challenges at one location
Beyond industry-wide headwinds, Camping World faces company-specific challenges on the ground.
Multiple civil lawsuits have targeted a North Charleston, South Carolina location over alleged deceptive sales practices and unfulfilled service promises.
In one case first uncovered by Live 5 News, buyers Jason and Carol Santore purchased a camper to live in while developing rental properties, only to encounter immediate defects, according to RV Travel’s coverage of the report. Carol told the local news station: “We were the ones that got screwed in the end, but all we wanted was our money back for what we paid for.”
Attorney Chris Banta, who represents several plaintiffs in the ongoing litigation, noted that new client complaints continue to roll in. However, Banta pointed out that prolonged delays and service disputes aren’t isolated to a single retail giant: “It’s not just a Camping World problem, it’s a manufacturer problem as well.”
The ongoing litigation reflects broader customer dissatisfaction. On online forums such as Reddit’s r/RVLiving, RV owners regularly voice frustration over lengthy service delays, unexpected fees, and poor post-sale support.
As management works to streamline operations and cut costs amid shifting travelers’ habits, restoring customer trust might also end up being among the company’s top priorities.
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