At REI, I look forward to coming to work due to great coworkers, great customers, and I believe in our products.
Pros
At REI, we are selling quality outdoor products to a customer base that loves to recreate outdoors. Most of the employees share that passion as well so the environment is very positive, which is rare in retail. The company takes its ethics seriously and treats its employees well, providing excellent benefits and decent pay. The review process is straightforward and there is a comprehensive plan for moving up and around the company. Middle and upper management values input from every employee and it shows in our annual surveys: REI ranks high in employee satisfaction. The company is well run, financially stable with steady growth and has weathered the economic downturn in the black while still opening stores. Online sales are rising rapidly expanding REI's reach into areas where brick and mortar stores do not currently exist.
Cons
It's retail. The cons are somewhat typical, but not to the extremes of some retailers. The pay is low, but it's probably at or above market rates. The hours are not guaranteed for non-management employees, so when it's slow, you are struggling to make ends meet. Although, if you're a student or this is a job to get out of the house, it's perfect. Again, it's retail.