REI Stewardship Report

A different kind of company

As a co-op, we put purpose before profits and act in the long-term interests of our members. That’s why we publish our annual Stewardship Report – to show what we’ve done (with your support!) to get more people outside, operate more sustainably, and protect and create access to outdoor places.

Used gear and rentals

We’re making it easier to get outside, and making the process more sustainable while we’re at it. Now, you can rent gear for a fraction of the cost of buying or shop for gently used gear online – and help extend the lifespan of every piece of gear and clothing.

REI is helping transform urban and suburban areas across the country into areas for outdoor recreation. The co-op invested more than half a million dollars in rewilding projects in five U.S. cities in 2018.

Every item we sell impacts the environment. That’s why we established sustainability standards for all brands and products sold at the co‑op. And now you can search REI.com for products based on sustainability traits.

In 2018, we expanded our selection and made extended-size products available in more stores. Now, more people can go to a selected store in their market to find a size that fits.

For the fourth year in a row, REI Co‑op closed all stores, processed no online payments and paid more than 13,000 employees to #OptOutside on Black Friday with friends and family.

Health & nature

To make the case for spending time outdoors, REI and the University of Washington launched a new initiative called Nature for Health which will examine how time outside impacts our well-being.

2018 highlights

Because we're a co‑op, we measure our success differently than most companies. For us, success means running a healthy business and making a positive impact on our employees, members and society.

Employees

13,000+ employees were given two Yay Days (paid time outdoors) and a day off on Black Friday
Employees received $77 million in profit-sharing and retirement
Voted one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the 22nd straight year

Members

Added more than 1 million new members in 2018
Membership increased to 18+ million people who love the outdoors
Members received $204 million in dividends and REI credit card rewards

Society

Invested $8.4 million in 431 nonprofit partners that create access to the outdoors
Impacted more than 5,000 outdoor places across the U.S. through grants, advocacy and stewardship projects, with the help of nearly 150,000 volunteers

Business

Earned $2.78 billion in sales
More than 70% of profits were given back to the outdoor community
As a result of industry and REI advocacy, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis confirmed outdoor recreation accounts for 2.2% of GDP and directly employs over 4.5 million.

Archived Stewardship Reports

2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

2018
Stewardship
Report

A different kind of company

$2.78B

in co‑op sales during 2018

18+ million

members and growing and 13,000+ employees

$8.4M

invested in 431 non‑profits

$204M

distributed in member dividends and REI credit card rewards

REI Co‑op invested in the future of the outdoors by giving back more than 70% of our profits in 2018. As our community grows, we’re able to get more people outdoors.

The co-op in action

Used gear and rentals

Rewilding

Product Sustainability

Extended sizing