REI Co-Op Foregoes Holiday Sales To Let Workers Be With Families

AUSTIN, TX — Despite the challenges faced by the retail industry in a time of pandemic, REI will again — for the sixth consecutive year — will allow its workers to spend time with friends and family by closing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, officials said.

Employees will be given the time off with pay, officials noted. All told, the Seattle-based retailer employs nearly 13,000 workers nationwide, including those at two Austin locations. The two Austin sites are at 9901 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 200, and 601 N. Lamar Blvd.

According to an October Harris Poll, 65 percent of Americans say they have been trying to find outdoor activities to spend their time, which is leading to increased use of local trails, parks and public lands, REI officials noted. Given the heightened importance of spending time outdoors amid the coronavirus, REI is encouraging all to recreate responsibly as they #OptOutside on Black Friday.

Together with more than 800 partners across the country, REI established seven guidelines to stay healthy and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while getting outside and minimize impact on outdoor places as they see increased use.

“In the middle of everything, we have watched as people all over the world – some of them for the first time – looked to time outside to reflect, restore and connect to one another,” REI CEO Eric Artz wrote in a letter to employees and members last month. “In this year of unprecedented challenges staying true to our purpose, living our values and caring for our people and communities is more important than ever.”

REI officials said the move was in keeping with its core values by prioritizing the health and safety of its employees, continuing to support nonprofits, giving employees and members the tools and information to vote and recently announcing a sweeping carbon commitment to steward the planet for future generations.

“One of the gifts that time outside offers is perspective — on our own lives, on our work and on the places where those intersect,” Artz wrote. “We are focusing on what matters most – on caring for one another, caring for our community, and sharing the connection brought by time outside."

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 more than 19 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 168 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

Those unable to visit a storefront are encouraged to shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear, officials noted. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company, a global leader that runs more than 200 itineraries across all continents. In every community where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities.

To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to — and steward — "...the outdoor places that inspire us all," officials wrote.