REI, one of the nation’s largest consumer co-op’s and a trusted retailer of outdoor gear, is proud to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.

History

REI was founded as an outdoor gear co-op on July 21, 1938 by Seattle mountaineer Lloyd Anderson.  Lloyd had wanted a reliable ice axe at a reasonable price, but had no success in finding one locally.  He finally found one in an Austrian alpine gear catalog for only $3.50 which included the shipping to the U.S.  Word quickly spread among Seattle climbers about his amazing find. This led Lloyd and his wife, Mary along with 21 fellow climbers to establish the outdoor gear co-op.  Today, REI has over $1.6 billion in sales. Its leadership has earned the title of Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” 15 years in row!

About

REI is committed to helping people enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest, from weekend family camping trips to Mt. Everest expeditions, by offering innovative and high-quality outdoor gear and apparel. REI’s values are reflected in everything they do, from their focus on customers to their commitment to environmental stewardship. Their values serve as a foundation for how they conduct business, how they serve members and how they treat each other.

Authenticity- being true to the outdoors

Quality- providing trustworthy products and services

Service- serving others with expertise and enthusiasm

Respect- embrace differences and listen and learn from each other

Integrity- demonstrate rock-solid ethics, honesty and decency

Balance- encourage personal growth and fun to enjoy all aspects of life

Milestones

• 1938- The first REI logo
• 1938- REI begins selling merchandise in the Richfield gas station
• 1940- Begins the decade with 200 members and $3,000 in annual sales
• 1944- The first REI store opens in Seattle
• 1945- Co-op creates a gear rental business
• 1946- Hiring of first part-time employee
• 1950- Begins the decade with 3,000 members and $40,000 in annual sales
• 1954- First of many expansions
• 1956- The co-op officially becomes Recreational Equipment, Inc. when members vote to incorporate as a nonprofit
• 1960- Begins the decade with 20,000 members and $500,000 in annual sales
• 1963- Grand Opening of REI’s 2nd location in Seattle
• 1962- Warehouse blow-out flood sale marks beginning of used-gear sales
• 1963- Jim Whittaker –sales manager and one of REI’s first employees, becomes first American to summit Mount Everest
• 1966- Debut of profit sharing plan
• 1967- THAW corporation- subsidiary of REI begins making sleeping bags and soft goods
• 1969- Climbing safety pioneer Cal Magnusson joins REI as the first quality control engineer
• 1970- Begins decade with 200,000 members, 2 retail locations in Seattle, and $5 million in annual sales, Lloyd Anderson retires
• 1972- REI announces 250,000th member
• 1975- Grand opening of REI’s first retail location outside of Seattle in Berkeley, CA
• 1976- REI launches giving program to support outdoor recreation
• 1977- First distribution center opens along with administrative headquarters, Tukwila, WA
• 1980- Begins the decade with 1 million members, 6 retail stores, and $50 million in annual sales
• 1983- REI launches Novara, a line of bikes, cycling clothing, and accessories
• 1987- REI Adventures is launched featuring unique travel itineraries focusing on sustainable, human-powered outdoor adventures, off the beaten path, in iconic destinations
• 1989- REI co-founds the Conservation Alliance to fund the protection of wild places
• 1990- Begins the decade with 2 million members, 26 retail stores and over $230 million in annual sales
• 1993-Mary and Lloyd Anderson are inducted into the Cooperative Business Association’s Hall of Fame
• 1993- Launch of REI Foundation in honor of 3 Seattle employees who died on Mt. Rainier
• 1996- flagship store opens in downtown Seattle and REI.com is launched as the largest outdoor gear and apparel store on the Internet
• 1998- REIoutlet.com launched
• 1998-2013- Forbes “Top 100 Companies to Work For”
• 2000- Begins decade with over 5 million members, 61 retail stores, and nearly $700 million in annual sales
• 2006- REI celebrates $1 billion in annual sales by awarding $1 million in grants to 100 national parks
• 2008- REI goes mobile and joins social media
• 2010- Begins decade with 10 million members, 114 retail stores, and  $1.66 billion in annual sales
• 2013- REI celebrates 75 years

REI is celebrating 75 years by having an anniversary sale of up to 30% off items and offering members 20% off one full price item.  Congratulations REI on 75 years!