Is Leslie‘s Pool and In The Swim the Same Company?

Hey there! Lillie here, your home improvement expert. I know shopping for pool supplies can be confusing with so many options out there. You‘re probably wondering: are Leslie‘s Pool and In The Swim the same company? I‘ve done some deep research into both retailers so you can make the best choice for your pool. Keep reading for the inside scoop!

The short answer is no, Leslie‘s and In The Swim are two separate companies. But they both offer quality products for pool maintenance, cleaning, and upgrades. In this detailed guide, I‘ll compare the key factors between these two popular retailers so you can decide which one suits your needs. Let‘s dive in!

Diving Into Leslie‘s Pool Supplies

Leslie‘s has been around since 1963 and has grown into the largest retailer of residential swimming pool supplies in the United States. Here are some fast facts about this industry giant:

• Founded in Phoenix, Arizona and still headquartered there today
• Operates over 900 retail locations across the U.S.
• Employs around 5,000 workers nationwide
• Known for knowledgeable staff and exceptional customer service
• Sells major brands like Hayward and Zodiac, plus their own Leslie’s branded products
• Provides pool installation, repairs, and maintenance services

Now let‘s take a deeper look at Leslie‘s Pool in two key states:

Splashing into North Carolina

Leslie’s has 7 pool supply stores currently located throughout North Carolina:

• Fayetteville
• Raleigh
• Greensboro
• Charlotte
• Wilmington
• Asheville
• Winston-Salem

The Raleigh location on Atlantic Springs Rd is the largest at over 5,200 square feet. This gives Raleigh-area customers the biggest selection of Leslie’s retail pool products.

Dipping Into Arkansas

In Arkansas, Leslie’s operates 4 pool supply stores:

• Little Rock
• Fort Smith
• Jonesboro
• Fayetteville

The Jonesboro location on E Highland Dr boasts the largest showroom in the state at 3,500 square feet.

So in both of these states, Leslie’s has established a strong retail presence to serve pool owners across many major cities.

The Skinny on In The Swim

Now let‘s look at the key details on this online pool supplier:

• Founded in 1982, based in Arizona where they still operate today
• Claim to be “America’s Discount Pool Supplier”
• Primarily sells through online website and mail order catalogs
• Known for low prices across all major pool brands
• Large selection of pool chemicals, parts, and accessories
• Does not offer installation or repair services

While Leslie’s focuses on brick-and-mortar retail stores, In The Swim relies predominantly on web and catalog sales. They position themselves as the budget-friendly option for savvy pool product shoppers.

Comparing the Business Models

When it comes to choosing a pool supply retailer, understanding the core business model is key.

Leslie’s operates primarily through physical retail locations across the country. This allows customers to shop in person, talk to knowledgeable staff, and get supplies quickly. Leslie‘s also provides pool installation, maintenance, cleaning and other services via their stores.

In The Swim focuses on online and catalog sales. Shopping is done on their website or by phone. They offer low prices by eliminating brick-and-mortar overhead costs. But they do not offer physical pool services.

Here‘s a quick table summarizing the core differences:

Retailer	Founded	Business Model	Key Advantage
Leslie‘s Pool	1963	Primarily retail stores	Convenience, expertise
In The Swim	1982	Online & catalog sales	Low prices

Comparing Product Selection

From chemicals to cleaners, here‘s how Leslie‘s and In The Swim stack up on pool supply inventory:

Pool Chemicals

Both carry the essential chemicals you need to balance pH, sanitize, prevent algae and shock your pool when needed:

• Chlorine
• pH increaser/decreaser
• Algaecide
• Shock treatments
• Test kits

Equipment & Parts

All the gear to keep your filtration and circulation pumping:

• Pumps & motors
• Filters (sand, DE, cartridge)
• Heaters
• Cleaners (automatic, pressure, vacuum)
• Lights
• Plumbing parts

Pool Toys & Accessories

Extras for safety, fun and style:

• Pool covers
• Floats and pool toys
• Safety products like fence gates
• Decor like fountains, umbrellas, etc.

They both carry products from the top national brands in swimming pools:

• Hayward
• Pentair
• Jandy
• Zodiac
• Waterway
• Sta-Rite

Leslie‘s also sells their own proprietary Leslie‘s brand. And In The Swim offers some affordable generic chemical options under their own "Value" brand.

When it comes to selection, In The Swim may edge out Leslie‘s based on their vast online inventory. But Leslie‘s remains competitive by aggregating supplies across 900+ retail locations. Both give you access to thousands of pool products.

Pricing and Discount Comparison

In The Swim tends to offer the lowest everyday pricing on pool supplies given their focus on discounts. Their website lets you easily compare their prices against competitors.

Leslie‘s pricing is competitive but runs higher on some branded items. However, Leslie‘s also frequently offers site-wide sales, dollar-off discounts, rebates, and other promotions both online and in stores.

For example, I spotted some current deals like:

• 15% off purchases over $150
• $70 off Pentair pump models
• $20 rebate on Sta-Rite filter orders

Leslie‘s also has a price match guarantee – they‘ll match any local authorized dealer‘s printed or advertised price on an identical, in-stock product. But this guarantee does exclude special deals, closeouts, clearance and membership club pricing.

So while In The Swim promises rock-bottom prices, you may be able to score comparable savings at Leslie‘s through promotions or price matching. It pays to check both when budgeting any major pool project!

Choosing Between the Two Retailers

Here are the key factors to weigh when deciding where to buy your pool supplies:

Convenience: Leslie‘s wins if you want to shop in person, need products urgently, or have questions that are best answered face-to-face. With over 900 stores across the country, there‘s likely a location near you.

Selection: In The Swim may have a slightly deeper selection given their online focus. But Leslie‘s can also tap into a huge national inventory. Both have thousands of options.

Price: As the discounter, In The Swim usually has the lowest prices. But savvy shoppers can take advantage of Leslie‘s frequent sales, rebates and price match policy.

Expert Guidance: Leslie‘s staff expertise is invaluable if you‘re a new pool owner needing advice. In The Swim has decent customer service, but they excel more in efficient web ordering.

Pool Services: A major Leslie‘s advantage is their installation, repair and maintenance offerings that In The Swim lacks. It‘s a true one-stop solution.

For me, convenience and service win out. But budget-focused shoppers may prefer In The Swim for the savings. You really can‘t go wrong either way!

Company History and Reputations

When it comes to reputation, both Leslie‘s Pool Supplies and In The Swim are well-regarded names in swimming pool retail:

• Leslie‘s Pool has been around since 1963 and is the undisputed leader in retail pool supplies. They‘re renowned for knowledgeable staff and quality service.

• In The Swim has earned trust since 1982 for low prices on huge selection and speedy delivery. A true ecommerce success story.

Thousands of positive online reviews back up each company‘s reputation. Both receive high marks on sites like Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau. These are companies you can rely on year after year for your pool needs.

In terms of recent company changes:

• Leslie‘s Pool completed an initial public stock offering in 2020 but remains primarily owned by parent firm LPI Holdings. No major mergers or acquisitions.

• In The Swim continues as a family-owned private business. No major structural shifts.

The bottom line – both are stable companies poised for growth as backyard pool installations keep increasing. Their business models and strengths have remained consistent over decades of service.

The Final Verdict

After comparing these two popular swimming pool supply retailers in depth, here‘s my take:

Leslie‘s Pool and In The Swim both provide quality products at reasonable prices. Key factors like location, expertise needed, and budget will determine which is better for your individual pool situation.

If you‘re a hands-on pool owner on a tight budget, In The Swim‘s discounts online are hard to beat. But for convenience and services, I personally prefer Leslie‘s one-stop local stores.

Ultimately, you can trust either company to deliver the pool chemicals, parts and accessories you need. Take time to shop around, and consider what‘s most important for your own backyard pool.

And those are the key facts on Leslie‘s Pool versus In The Swim! Let me know if you have any other pool questions – I‘m always happy to help. Stay cool this swim season!