Marketing - Anonymous employee REI Employee Review

3.0
Dec 11, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fun place to work; great people; outstanding prodeal program for outdoor gear; nice campus in Kent; good benefits

Cons

REI touts itself as an outstanding company to work for, but beware: Even though it is a co-op and privately held, profits -- like any company -- dictate direction. They will always put the needs of REI above employees (or REI members, for that matter). Again, this is not unusual for most companies, but you expect more from a company that spews life/work balance, stewardship, members first, etc. like it's a religion. Basically, don't drink the Kool-Aid. Additionally, pay is low to average at best. The benefits are good, however.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
Jun 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

very supportive management and team members.

Cons

sometimes, the hours are late. But very doable.

3.0
Jun 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Excellent coworkers - REI does a great job of hiring enthusiastic and personable staff - Slightly better pay compared with other retail in the area - Prodeals and discounts - Flexible hours - Good (although rapidly diminishing) healthcare benefits

Cons

- Once a (better) company known for its investment in knowledgeable and friendly staff via extensive training and investment, the company has been slowly slashing away at most of what makes it special since the pandemic - Hours and benefits are worsening, proper employee training is becoming hard to come by - lots of mediocrity and sometimes questionable ethical calls made by management - Punitive disciplinary policies that seem to be designed to create higher turnover (advantageous to them given the gradual pay, benefit and policy changes)

3
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