REI news and archive

Trove releases inaugural Brand Resale Index

Trove, which provides resale and trade-in services for fashion brands, has launched its inaugural Brand Resale Index evaluating resale adoption and trends across 40 brands spanning fashion/apparel, outdoor, footwear, and luxury. The Index, conducted in partnership with OSF Digital, has assessed brands on 147 different criteria across brand...

Report

REI Co-op appoints Patrick Fell as VP, financial planning and analysis

Outdoor retailer REI Co-op has announced the appointment of Patrick Fell as vice president, financial planning and analysis, effective November 7. Fell has been tasked with leading strategic financial strategies across the company, including driving efficiency in its annual planning and forecasting processes. In a release, REI Co-op’s executive...

Report

REI Co-op adds two new appointments to senior leadership team

Outdoor specialist REI Co-op has announced two new additions to its senior leadership team, including the company’s first senior vice president, chief supply chain officer. The newly created role will be taken on by Slyvia Wilks, who will be joining the company from TireHub and brings over 25 years of experience in the retail and consumer...

RetailFeatured

Why workers at an REI store voted to join a union

Workers at the New York City flagship of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) voted to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which will now be the first union at any store for the outdoor gear retailer. The vote, which took place in-person at the SoHo location on March 2 was an overwhelming win for the union with...

RetailFeatured

How the pandemic brought an REI store to a union vote

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), the Seattle-based retail chain for outdoor gear and apparel, may have their first unionized store this week as over one hundred employees at the New York City flagship are set to vote this Wednesday, March 2 on whether or not they will join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The SoHo...

Fashion

REI retail workers move to unionize

The New York Times has reported that workers at an REI store in Manhattan have filed for a union election. 115 employees from the company’s SoHo location filed to join the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) this past Friday. The employees also asked the company to recognize the union. In addition to outdoor equipment, REI also...

Business

Rei Co-op launches 30 million dollar initiative to invest in founders of colour

Outerwear retailer Rei Co-op has launched its Path Ahead Ventures initiative, with plans to invest 30 million dollars in 300 founders of colour to assist in the start and growth of their businesses within the outdoor industry. The initiative will see the brand partner with Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Asian American Pacific Islander...

Fashion

A growing list of brands is boycotting advertising on Facebook

A host of outdoor clothing brands are boycotting advertising on Facebook as part of a Stop Hate for Profits campaign. Companies including Patagonia, The North Face and Rei are calling for brands to stop advertising on the social media platform for the month of July. The North Face said it was halting ads “until stricter policies are put in place...

People

REI names first-ever VP of e-commerce, gear, and apparel

REI Co-op has announced that Michelle Cutter will be its new vice president of e-commerce, gear, and apparel. Cutter is the first to fill the company’s newly created role, which will focus primarily on leading the lifestyle and outdoors brand in the digital and e-commerce space. According to an announcement from the brand, Cutter will focus on...

People

Eric Artz named CEO of REI co-op following interim period

REI’s board of directors has named Eric Artz to the role of President and CEO of the American outdoor brand, effective immediately. He had been serving as interim CEO since February, when former President and CEO Jerry Strizke resigned over a relationship with an executive of a competing brand. "After a thorough national search, it was clear to...

People

REI hires Michael Benkel as new Vice President in Merchandising

American outdoor retailer REI has announced the appointment of Michael Benkel as its new Vice President of Planning, Inventory and Solutions. He will oversee the brand’s planning and inventory management strategy, as well as its merchandising business processes, leading a team of over 100 professionals. “I’m thrilled to join REI and weave my...

People

REI CEO resigns over relationship with executive from competitor

Jerry Stritzke has resigned from the role of President and CEO of American outdoor brand REI this week, following an investigation into a consensual relationship between him and the leader of another organization in the outdoor industry. The investigation, which was conducted by an external law firm and overseen by the company’s board of...