REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national retailer providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced plans to open new stores in Cincinnati, Ohio and Medford, Ore., and relocate its current location in Cary, N.C.
Located at Rookwood Commons, REI Cincinnati will open next fall and is the co-op’s first location in Ohio. The nearly 22,000 square-foot, one-story location will serve outdoor enthusiasts in the area, including more than 5,000 active REI members. REI Medford’s 23,500 square-foot, one-story location will open next fall in Alba Village and help outfit approximately 7,300 local active members and other adventurers.
REI offers the top brands of outdoor gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel, including the award-winning REI brand and Novara bike products. Both stores will house bike, ski and snowboard shop services for quick assemblies and repairs, and a seasonal gear rental department for customers looking to test new activities.
Relocating its current store in Cary, N.C. from Crossroads Plaza to Devonshire Place in the spring of 2012 will allow REI to expand from approximately 21,000 square feet to 27,200 square feet. The larger footprint will allow the retailer to increase its product offerings in cycling, footwear and paddling. The Cary location joins stores in Durham, N.C., Greensboro, N.C. and Raleigh, N.C. in serving 77,600 active REI members in the area. The original Cary store opened in 1992.
As part of its commitment to increase access to the outdoors, REI partners with nonprofit organizations that work to restore and maintain local trails, parks and waterways through active volunteer programs across the country. Earlier this year, REI granted more than $4.2 million to nonprofits through its locally driven grants program. In addition, the community rooms in REI Medford and REI Cary will allow the company and its local partners to host outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.
For the stores in Cincinnati and Medford, REI will recruit between 40 and 50 new employees who share a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to quality customer service. Employment information will be available online approximately three months prior to each opening at www.rei.com/jobs. For 14 consecutive years, REI has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.”
Opening eight new stores in 2011, REI operates 122 retail stores in 29 states with two online stores – rei.com and REI-OUTLET.com. The new stores will join three additional 2012 store openings in Indianapolis, Ind. (opening in the spring), Oxnard, Calif., and Woodbridge, Va. (both opening in the fall).
While 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 from the previous year. Earlier this year, $94.3 million in annual refunds was distributed to more than 4.4 million active members. 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.