REI Co-op makes Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 22nd consecutive year

Co-op has been honored as one of Fortune’s top employers every year in the ranking’s history

Feb 14, 2019

SEATTLE – For the 22nd consecutive year, REI is recognized as one of the nation’s top employers, ranking 46 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. The honor celebrates the co-op’s nearly 13,000 employees that work every day to connect REI members and customers with life outdoors.

Placement on the list is based on survey responses from a sampling of employees asked to rate their workplace culture. Final ranking is determined by more than 50 elements of the workplace, including innovation, compensation and camaraderie.

“For more than 80 years, REI has worked to connect people to the outdoors, and it’s incredible to see our employees still so engaged in that mission,” said Raquel Karls, REI senior vice president of human resources. “To be recognized on this list is especially meaningful, because it’s based on feedback directly from our employees, who every day share their passion for life outside with our members and communities across the country.”

A Great Place to Work

As a member-owned co-op, REI is a different kind of company. REI is a purpose-led organization, annually giving nearly 70 percent of its profits back to the outdoor community. In 2018, the co-op invested $8.8 million in 400 nonprofits to steward more than 1,000 outdoor spaces.

In addition, REI remains committed to caring for the long-term health of the outdoors. The co-op recognizes the gear it brings to its customers is one of its greatest platforms for advancing sustainable business practices. In 2018, REI debuted comprehensive product sustainability standards that apply to each of the more than 1,000 brands sold at the co-op. The co-op also expanded its used gear website, helping to extend the life of quality products and keep them out of landfills.

The co-op’s commitment to the outdoor community extends to its employees, who bring its mission to life by inspiring and outfitting REI members and customers. REI’s combined pay and benefits lead the retail industry, and employees enjoy a number of unique perks:

  • Days off to play outside: Every year, co-op employees receive two paid “Yay Days” that allow them to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity, learn a new skill or help to maintain outdoor spaces through a stewardship project.
  • #OptOutside: Employees also receive an additional paid day off on Black Friday to spend time outdoors with family and friends. In 2018, REI announced it would continue the #OptOutside tradition indefinitely.
  • Deals on gear: REI employees enjoy deep discounts on gear and experiences making it easier for them to try new products and build expertise to share with members. REI also provides employees with “adventure grants,” to purchase gear to try something new outdoors.

Join the REI Team

As the co-op continues to grow, REI is looking to add passionate individuals to its team, including staff for its new stores opening later this year in Alabama, Oklahoma and New Hampshire. REI looks for candidates who embody its values and have a genuine love for the outdoors. Interested candidates can visit https://rei.jobs.

About The FORTUNE 100 Best Companies To Work For®

Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index™ survey responses from more than 310,000 employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations with more than 1,000 employees. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit greatplacetowork.com.

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For®” and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, industries and, internationally, countries and regions. Through its culture consulting services, Great Place to Work helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, retention and stock performance.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About the REI Co-op

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.