Probably the best retail job you can have, but its still corporate retail - Retail Sales Associate REI Employee Review

3.0
Feb 2, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great company culture and team if you love being outdoors; many coworkers hiked the AT or PCT, ran marathons, were divers, everyone had an interesting story - Great job for extroverts, conversations with customers are about adventures and travels - Paid volunteer days - Flexible schedule - Great benefits - Progressive values

Cons

- Training is on the computer at work and too thorough and rushed, its a lot of information and hard to know which parts are most important to retain. Way easier to acclimate if you come in with a lot of gear knowledge already. - HUGE emphasis on daily membership rates and convincing customers to become members or get REI credit cards, like your life depends on it (your job does, and so does the happiness of your manager) - Progressive values are only surface-level

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good managers, deals, coworkers, products

Cons

No cons, I really liked my time.

3.0
May 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most coworkers, some managers, discounts, outfitting people properly without extra nonsense

Cons

Some truly horrible managers, pressure to sell credit cards is a morale killer, the union people. Employees drinking the union kool aid fail to see the company’s position, REI cannot give higher pay, better benefits , consistent hours, etc… with the erratic revenue stream that comes in , if a 5 year average is X in revenue and 5 year average is Y on wages and costs, how are they supposed to increase wages and benefits? It’s numbers and they don’t line up, if REI gives the increases which increases the expenses greatly, they will cut staff, a lot fewer employees which will eliminate a bunch of union supporters, an REI job is not supposed to be a lucrative deal, when you get hired the part time , part time plus and full time options are there and you choose what you want fully understanding what hours you are going to get at minimum, they will hire those positions on a need basis, to cry later that you don’t make enough money is your fault, the terms were clear and you signed off on them. The union is promising rainbows , reality will be far different, careful what you wish for

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