REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national retailer providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced plans to open a new store in Woodbridge, Va. at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in the spring of 2012.
The two-story, 25,000 square-foot store will offer the top brands of gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel products. REI Woodbridge will house a bike shop for quick assemblies and repairs, in addition to a seasonal gear rental department for customers to attempt new activities. The new store will also host a community space for REI and its local partners to hold outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.
“REI currently serves more than 145,000 members in the DC area and has 18,500 members within 15 miles of the new Woodbridge store,”said Anne Maleady, REI retail director for the Northeast district. “We look forward to strengthening our relationships with outdoor groups and non-profits in Northern Virginia to increase the number of people recreating in the outdoors and enhancing local outdoor places.”
Each year, REI supports non-profit organizations that help people experience and restore the outdoors through its locally driven grants program. In 2010, the company provided $3.7 million of grant support to non-profits nationwide, including 12 organizations in Washington, D.C. Examples of these organizations include Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Friends of Rock Creek's Environment (FORCE), Occoquan Watertrail League (OWL) and Potomac Conservancy.
The new store will join REI’s other Washington, D.C. locations in Bailey's Crossroads, Va., College Park, Md., Columbia, Md., Fairfax, Va. and Rockville, Md. REI operates 114 retail stores nationwide and two online stores – rei.com and REI-OUTLET.com – in addition to manufacturing its own award-winning REI brand and Novara bike products.
The company will recruit approximately 50 people for the new store who share a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to providing quality customer service. Hiring will occur three months prior to the opening and employment information will be available at www.rei.com/jobs.
Although it operates as a consumer cooperative, anyone may shop at REI. Members pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. Earlier this year, more than $80 million in annual refunds was distributed to more than 3.9 million active members based on the co-op’s 2009 sales. REI members also receive discounts on gear rentals, REI Adventures trips and REI Outdoor School classes.
About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.