REI Stewardship Report

The collective good a co-op can do

REI is a different kind of company. As a co-op, we put purpose before profits and act in the long-term interests of our members and community. Our Impact Report shows what we've done (with your support!) to help connect every person to the power of the outdoors and engage them in the fight to protect it.

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$3.7B
in co‑op sales during 2021

$128.9M
in employee profit sharing, retirement and performance incentives

$7.1M
invested in over 450 nonprofit partners

$234M
distributed in member rewards to our more than 21M members

2021 Highlights

A year of action

Employees and members raised their voices in support of causes that improve the outdoors through REI’s Cooperative Action Network, our new grassroots advocacy platform. Since April 2021, more than 25,000 co‑op members wrote more than 100,000 letters to Congress urging action on climate, equity, and conservation‑leading to the passage of two crucial bills to tackle the climate crisis and elevate equity outdoors. That’s the power of a co‑op.

Growing our business

2021 was a year of historic growth for the co‑op, as we embarked on a journey to fundamentally transform our business. REI welcomed a record 1.4 million new members to the co‑op and opened 8 new stores while distributing more than half of its operating profits back to its employees, members and nonprofit partners.

Advancing inclusion outside

REI accelerated progress against its commitments to becoming a fully inclusive, anti‑racist, multicultural organization, building on the co‑op’s efforts to fight for racial equity. Because the outdoors should be for everyone.

Embracing the circular economy

REI is preparing for a future where used gear and rentals will make up the majority of the co‑op's business. Buying used instead of new typically avoids carbon emissions of 50% or more. The co‑op is inviting members to reuse gear, reduce waste and make an impact through Re/Supply.

The path ahead

Founders of color represent only an estimated 1% of outdoor entrepreneurs. REI is committed to improving representation through Path Ahead Ventures, a new organization that will invest $30 million in founders of color as they start and scale their businesses within the outdoor industry.

2021 by the numbers

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.

Business

$3.7 billion in revenue
Opened 8 new stores
100% carbon neutral in REI brands & operations

Society

$7.1 million contribution to nonprofits in 2021
Over 450 nonprofit partners

Members

Over 21 million members
$234 million distributed in Co‑op Member Rewards

Employees

Over 16,000 employees
$128.9 million in employee retirement and incentives
Received the Human Rights Campaign's top score on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index