Black Friday, REI

$2.2 billion specialty outdoor retailer can pay 12, 000 employees to not run November 27

SEATTLE – In a page resolved to its 5.5 million users, REI, the nation’s biggest consumer co-op and specialty outdoor merchant, has established plans to shut its doors on Black Friday (November 27) at all 143 of the retail locations, headquarters as well as 2 distribution facilities. In the place of reporting to the office, the co-op is spending its 12, 000 employees so that they can do whatever they love many – be outside. Beginning today, the co-op is inviting the world to participate in by deciding to #OptOutside to reconnect with friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday.
Jerry Stritzke, president and CEO of REI, stated, “Black Friday may be the perfect time and energy to tell ourselves of important truth that life is richer, more connected and total once you choose to invest it outside. We’re shutting our doorways, spending our staff members to leave truth be told there, and welcoming The united states to OptOutside around because we love great gear, but we're more passionate concerning the experiences it unlocks.”
In his page to members, Stritzke quotes outdoor visionary John Muir, just who said in 1901, “thousands of fatigued, nerve-shaken, over-civilized individuals are beginning to determine that visiting the mountains is certainly going house.”
To assist aspiring adventurers choose how exactly to #OptOutside, optoutside.rei.com functions recommended climbing tracks, many built and nurtured by nonprofits sustained by REI. Co-op employees and members is going to be sharing thousands of outside experiences through the entire festive season and afterwards. On the day itself, REI.com will feature a black takeover screen that encourages customers to #OptOutside. In 2015 alone, REI gave $5.9 million to a lot more than 300 nonprofits to take care of 1, 000 outside spaces in communities across America. REI has actually invested more than $60 million inside outdoor community.
Stritzke continued, “As a member-owned co-op, our definition of success goes beyond cash. We believe that a life existed outdoors is a life well lived therefore we aspire to be stewards of your outdoors. We believe Ebony Friday has actually gotten beyond control and so we have been deciding to invest in helping people get outside with nearest and dearest this holiday season, over spending it in the aisles. Kindly join us and inspire united states with your experiences. Develop to interact an incredible number of People In The Us and galvanize the outdoor neighborhood to get outside.”
About REI
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. Started in 1938, REI happens to be the nation’s biggest customer co-op. Its growing community of 5.5 million energetic users expect and love the highest quality equipment, inspiring expert courses and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 142 shops in 34 states. In the event that you can’t see a store, you can shop at REI.com, or perhaps the free REI shopping software. REI isn’t just about gear. It is possible to take the journey of a very long time with REI Adventures, a global frontrunner in energetic adventure travel that operates 150 custom-designed itineraries on every continent. REI’s exterior School is operate by professionally-trained, expert-instructors just who show beginner- to advanced-level classes about a wide range of activities. To build regarding the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in a huge selection of local and nationwide nonprofits that induce accessibility to–and steward–the outside locations that encourage us.