REI to offer curated selection of Athleta apparel at the co-op
Brands behind female-focused “Force of Nature” initiative and “Power of She” campaign come together to expand access to Athleta’s women’s performance apparel
Feb 26, 2018
Today, REI and Athleta announced plans to bring a curated selection of current Athleta apparel to 14 REI stores and REI.com this spring. The partnership will bring Athleta hiking, yoga, swim and other performance apparel to select REI stores and REI.com. Beginning February 28, women can pick-up their favorite Athleta Trekkie hiking pants and Powervita yoga tights while they’re planning their next outdoor adventure at 14 REI locations and at REI.com. The partnership brings together two purpose-driven brands that share a commitment to empowering women to enjoy active outdoor lifestyles.
Athleta creates versatile performance apparel designed by women athletes to inspire a community of active, confident women and girls to reach their limitless potential. “With their #ForceofNature initiative, REI has built a longstanding commitment to supporting women through outdoor adventure, deepening their connection to our mission at Athleta,” says Chris Samway, Athleta’s CFO and head of strategy & business development. “This partnership is an exploration of a new way to reach a broader group of women living a healthy, active lifestyle.”
Outdoor co-op REI believes a life outdoors is a life well lived, for all. This commitment was central to its #ForceofNature initiative to advance gender equity outdoors, and grounds its philosophy for bringing on new partners like Athleta.
“REI continues to focus on advancing gender equity in the outdoors, and to elevating brands that help customers reach their outdoor goals. We have long admired Athleta for being a leading women’s brand with an extraordinary product line as well as its “Power of She campaign,” says Susan Viscon, REI’s senior vice president of merchandising. “Athleta apparel delivers the technical performance our customers are looking for to support their outdoor adventures in designs they will want to wear all day.”
To celebrate the curated line at the co-op, Althleta and REI Outdoor School are partnering to hold free Vinyasa yoga events taught by Athleta Ambassadors at select REI stores in late February and early March. Visit https://www.rei.com/events to find an event near you.
The curated assortment will be available on REI.com, as well as select REI store locations across the country including: Seattle; Washington D.C.; New York (SoHo); Bloomington, Minnesota; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Santa Monica, California; Bellevue, Washington; Dillon, Colorado; Rockville, Maryland; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Burbank, California; Greenwood, Colorado; and Rochester, New York.
About Athleta
Athleta creates versatile premium performance apparel designed by women athletes to inspire a community of active, confident women and girls to reach their limitless potential. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to carry a woman through her life in motion – from yoga and training to commuting and travel. In 2016 the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE:GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its 140 retail stores across the country, through its catalog, and at athleta.gap.com.
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.