As of 2023, REI has announced plans to close several stores across the US, leaving many outdoor enthusiasts wondering what this means for their favorite gear and community.
A total of 17 REI stores are scheduled to close in 2023, with locations in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington being affected.
These closures are part of a larger restructuring effort aimed at improving the company's financial performance and better serving its customers.
REI has been working to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences, and these store closures are a key part of that strategy.
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Announced Closures
REI has announced the closure of several stores, citing various reasons such as increased crime and declining sales.
The company will close its store in Buford, Georgia, after over 20 years in business, due to a decline in core outdoor gear sales following the pandemic boom.
REI has also announced plans to close its store in Portland's Pearl District in early 2024, citing an increase in break-ins and thefts in the neighborhood.
The company had spent $800,000 on additional security in 2022, but still experienced 10 burglaries that year, including a car crash into the store on the day after Thanksgiving.
REI's decision to close the Portland store is also attributed to the store having outgrown its location and not being able to provide the level of customer and employee experience the company strives for.
The company will keep its suburban stores open in the Portland area, including locations in Tualatin, Hillsboro, and Clackamas.
REI has a total of 192 full-line stores across the country, plus two "Re/Supply" stores that sell repurchased used gear at discounted prices.
The company has also announced plans to open at least six new stores in the next two years, including locations in California, New York, Colorado, and Washington.
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Impact and Dates
REI has announced the closure of its store in Buford, which will happen after over twenty years in business.
The store first opened in 2003 in the Marketplace at Millcreek shopping center.
REI's original Atlanta store in Brookhaven opened in 1990, making it the oldest store in the Atlanta market.
The company has experienced a decline in its core outdoor gear sales following the pandemic boom.
Over the past two years, REI has laid off hundreds of employees, mainly at its corporate office and distribution centers.
Despite the layoffs and store closure, REI plans to open at least six new stores in the next two years.
These new stores will be located in California, New York, Colorado, and Washington, and are expected to open in the spring and summer of next year.
REI currently has 192 full-line stores across the country, plus two "Re/Supply" stores that sell repurchased used gear at discounted prices.
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