Many outdoor gear and apparel brands are closing down their business here due to sliding domestic sales in the saturated outdoor market.

Fashion Group Hyungji recently decided to withdraw its outdoor apparel brand NorthCape after five years in business. According to industry insiders, Hyungji has already notified its 70 franchise owners across the country. 

In 2011, Hyungji clinched a deal to exclusively sell NorthCape -- an English outdoor brand established in 1973 -- in Korea and opened the first store the following year, riding the tide of the outdoor goods boom from 2005 to 2013.

But from 2013, the outdoor industry, which had earlier boasted yearly growth rates of 20 percent or more, showed declining sales. Experts said this was the result of too many players joining the market over a short period.

Pyungan L&C, which operates womenswear PAT, is also planning on closing down its camping gear and clothing brand Offroad after the summer season.

Last year, sports apparel brand FILA closed its outdoor arm Fila Outdoor, while Shoemaker Kumkang stopped selling Norweigian brand Helly Hansen in Korea. Shinsegae International also pulled out from selling French brand Salomon Outdoor after only two years in business. 

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)