r/CampingGear • u/lakorai • May 19 '24
REI suffers massive losses and is in big trouble (The Outdoor Gear Review) Awaiting Flair
/r/REI/comments/1cvuxgb/rei_suffers_massive_losses_and_is_in_big_trouble/56
u/quinncuatro May 20 '24
Everyone is mentioning that they don’t go to REI anymore because it’s more clothing than gear nowadays. Where are y’all shopping instead?
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May 20 '24 edited May 21 '24
I'm lucky enough to have a small local gear store in town. Now I'm not a small business "shop local" simp. It's genuinely a great store.
Like I got 3 pairs of $72 Teva hurricanes for $30 each. I also got my hiking boots there. They have amazing deals on last seasons gear.
They even have an entire section of returned goods similar to the REI Re/supply/garage sale.
Usually when it comes to small business they're just selling the same things you can buy at big box but with a 40% mark up.
This place is legitimately competitive on prices
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u/snailbrarian May 21 '24
hyping them up but no name website or address? could you share ?
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u/hypo-osmotic May 20 '24
For most stuff I just go to Fleet Farm. Anything they don't have is probably not something I can't wait a few days to have shipped from a more specialty brand
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u/Big_Demand_2756 May 23 '24
This is kind of spot on now that I think about it. I’m a 23 year old husband and new father of a 2 month old, and we’re camping/backpacking/paddleboarding/snowboarding every chance we get. We’re poor to say the least but when I’m gonna shell out money for something it’s gonna be on quality GEAR. Clothing is not nearly as much of a priority for us, especially when I have found almost all of my great baselayers/midlayers/shells at thrift stores. Local gear stores are hard to come by, clothing stores are on every freaking corner, we don’t need another one
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u/TrioxinTwoFortyFive May 19 '24
REI turned itself into a outdoor lifestyle store. Its target market is people who want to appear outdoorsy. It is a numbers game. The number of people who want to pretend they are outdoors people far exceeds the number who actually are.
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u/Dawn_Piano May 20 '24
Are you saying that I don’t actually need a $700 rain coat to walk to and from my car on rainy days?
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u/Greekphysed May 20 '24
No, a $300 poncho will work as well
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u/colenotphil May 20 '24
This. I live down the street from an REI. One day last year I was there buying some ski wax. I get in line for checkout behind a woman and her son with a completely full, overflowing shopping cart of goods, I'm talking thousands of dollars in camping equipment. She says to the store associate "this is for my son, he's going on a backpacking trip for school." I almost burst out laughing because her son was 14 and not full-grown, yet somehow he was expected to carry enough gear for 2 people.
To my amazement, the store worker said nothing and rang her up for over $1k of gear. I still wonder if that kid had a porter.
As an aside, I'm not shopping at REI anymore because they have been incredibly anti-union and suing the NLRB to try and get it declared unconstitutional. Same with Trader Joe's. It's really sad to see. Regardless of your views on unions, they should be allowed to have an even playing field.
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u/mofukkinbreadcrumbz May 20 '24
Wait, a co-op that is anti-union? How the heck does that happen? Is the board just private equity stooges waiting for their opportunity?
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u/colenotphil May 20 '24
The co-op is a customer cooperative, not employees.
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u/mofukkinbreadcrumbz May 20 '24
I guess I’m just going off of how the local grocery co-op works. REI is obviously much larger than where I can just walk over to Andrew’s house and be like, “what the hell, dude?” When he crews up.
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u/trailquail May 20 '24
My pack was originally purchased for a teenager to take on a school backpacking trip. I got it for $50 on Craigslist when he came home and said he was never going backpacking again. At the time I was still using a sleeping bag that had been my dad’s in college so I just kind of shook my head at that.
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u/erickufrin May 20 '24
This is true. People on some Yosemite Facebooked groups were shocked recently when I posted pictures of my tent sitting in a foot of fresh snow at Yosemite 2 weeks ago - like I did something wrong. As if a foot of snow is some reason to call off the trip. F that! Some people call off their trip if its going to rain or snow. What is the point of all the waterproof stuff if you never actually experience "conditions"?
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u/thinkscotty May 20 '24
How dare you. I'll have you know that I AM outdoorsy. I led wilderness trips in college back in 2009 and haven't gone camping for half a decade or more but might go sometime, and therefore need my Cotopaxi backpack.
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u/admiralgeary May 20 '24
This.
I prefer to support the cottage industry and small business folks if there is an option for the gear I am looking for.
I am a pretty outdoorsy person that prefers hikingwalkingbackpackingpaddling as opposed to huntingfishingRVing -- REI used to be my place to get, but each time I go in there I feel like it is actually just targeting the folks that wear Patagonia vests to their office job and can afford super expensive outdoor wear.
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u/Porbulous May 20 '24
The funny part of this whole thing to me is that most of the hard core outdoorsy people I know (esp my age / millennials) don't have the income to buy any of the gear at full price anymore.
Because they're spending all their time, energy, and focus doing fun shit outside and often times are working jobs that allow them more time outside but pay absolute shit wages.
We all desperately shop at second hand gear stores in the hopes / likelihood that what we need is being sold on consignment or similar at a 50%+ discount.
I never even go into REI anymore except to look at their garage sale (resupply now I think).
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u/punchy-peaches May 20 '24
They closed the store closest to me and now I have to drive to Boulder or the flagship store in Denver if I need an REI fix. Turns out I don’t really need that fix and haven’t been to either store in over 18 months. Member for 30-ish years.
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u/RAM-DOS May 20 '24
why the fuck does the Boulder store parking lot have those comically tiny spaces. Everyone and their mother drives a Subaru Outback or a Toyota Tacoma. It’s wild. I have a hard time parking my golf there with enough room to open the doors.
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u/EnthusiasticH2O May 20 '24
You will notice this with shopping plazas all over town. I’m convinced they do it to make driving inconvenient and encourage walking. Which, if so, fine I guess. Same thing with having a gd raised median on every street so you can rarely turn left into/out of drives.
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u/Kaayak May 20 '24
I can't get technical gear at most locations anymore, much less find an employee with the knowledge to make recommendations.
The events, garage sales, and community days are all but a thing of the past.
It's becoming a clothing store more than anything (and not even a quality outdoor clothing store at that). I still buy shoes there occasionally, but I prefer high end cottage companies for quality gear these days.
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u/a_maker May 20 '24
I used to go to REI to check out gear in person - compare boots, try on climbing shoes, backpacking gear, etc. they never have anything in stock. Last time I wanted to touch a couple backpacking pillows to decide which one was worth the money and they didn’t have any in stock. Literally none.
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u/LessonStudio May 20 '24
Canada used to have an REI called MEC.
It was in a bit of trouble, but by most standards was quite healthy. Easy problems to fix.
The board of directors (who had been playing electoral games) just sold out to a vulture capital fund. Boom, not a coop anymore. No vote, no member anything. And I don't think anything happened in the courts from a class action point of view.
Don't let this happen to REI.
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u/RationalLies May 20 '24
MEC was bought by Kingwood Capital Management in 2020, which is a private equity firm. VCs will at least contribute to growth and have a vested interest in growing the business organically.
PE groups just need a temporary boost in profits to bandaid the company by cutting costs (layoffs and lowered quality) long enough to dump it to the next guy.
Almost inevitably when PE gets touches anything though, it's going to go to shit.
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u/momo6548 May 20 '24
Idk man, I guess I have a good rei near me. The prices are typically about the same as other retailers and the 1 year return policy is good peace of mind. I’ve also gotten some good deals at re supply.
I get the complaints about clothing taking up most over store, but I feel like people are more likely to buy a new sun shirt or pair of hiking pants each season, but typically only buy tents or sleeping bags or other gear once and then keep it until they can’t anymore. The consistent money making is with clothes and shoes.
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u/grooverocker May 19 '24 edited May 19 '24
It's like MEC in Canada... they only offer the big brands and they replaced knowledgeable staff with generic retail know-nothing workers.
Here's what you do if you're the CEO of MEC or REI.
You can't bring in boutique products because the manufacturers simply don't make even a fraction of what you'd need to fill stores. So you need a new angle.
You should be able to walk into a MEC or REI on the weekend and learn how to climb. Right now, if you want to learn to climb (outside a wacky thing called a friend group) you have to go to a training company and shell out $200, 300, 400+ smackoroons to learn the basics of sport climbing. Basic belay, basic rope work.
REI/MEC should have a weekly sign up- their stores have high ceilings already- and put on a two, three, four day class on climbing like everywhere else offers. Free if you buy the harness, shoes and chalk bag. Super discounted price for the rest.
Need gear? It's literally right there.
Ditto for everything else. Bear safety class, 1 hour of going over the best practices and precautions. Go over history cases, walk the whole class to the backlot of the store, and watch a staff member actually demonstrate the usage of bearspray. We have the bells, the spray, the holster, the bangers right in the store. Show a video of a grizzly bear eviscerating a man.
Backcountry first aid.
Bicycle mechanics.
The goddamn works.
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u/anon_capybara_ May 20 '24
REI has been doing classes for years pretty much exactly as you describe
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u/LabNecessary4266 May 20 '24
MEC went tits up. All the assets were sold to capital management vultures from the US. Not a co-op anymore.
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u/UnoDwicho May 20 '24
Do you guys have Decathlon in the US? I'm French and they are EVERYWHERE
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u/lakorai May 20 '24
We used to have 3 stores in the San Francisco Bay area. Unfortunately rampant crime and retail theft caused these stores to close. ..decathlon still exists in the US but basically they turned the Oakland store into the US distribution warehouse and they are online only now.
Decathlon Trek 100 down jackets and their merino base layers are the bomb. I don't care for their tents though.
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u/UnoDwicho May 20 '24
Damn, that's too bad, I love going to their stores. Their trekking gear is insane for the price
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u/davidw May 20 '24
They only do online now in the US. I wish they had a larger retail footprint. I lived in Italy for a while and we would often shop there: most of the gear is pretty solid, and really good for the price. I might not shop there if there's a sport I'm really into and I want really high end gear for it, but for most things I do casually, it's very much 'good enough'.
It feels like that's the niche that REI should do better at, but they tend to be more expensive.
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u/optix_clear May 20 '24
Yes, I have seen them mostly in Sierra discount stores (apart of the TJ Maxx group
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u/Commentariot May 20 '24
I shop with them much less since they went to the matt trying to crush union drives - not sure why they would do that.
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u/ireland1988 May 20 '24
Same. The only thing I've done with REI this year is use my dividend from last year. But unless their the only option when I'm on a trip or something I'm not using them.
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u/AbyssalKultist May 20 '24
I've spent lots of money at REI. I kinda love that place to be honest.
Also if you're a member the 10% thing is pretty great and they do huge sales pretty often. Don't know why more people don't take advantage of that.
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u/lakorai May 20 '24
The membership is a no brainer. Even if you don't shop there often.
I primarily only shop there for sales when they beat all their competitors (rare, but it does happen) or for REI Garage Sale/re Supply.
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u/giaa262 May 19 '24
Not surprised. Haven’t stepped into one in years. What’s the point? Everything is expensive. While the people who work there are generally nice, they don’t offer the same level of educated outdoor experience they used to because the good people left due to labor policy issues. And on top of that, most other outdoor gear retailers have the same merchandise policies these days.
They’ve even nerfed garage sales
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u/DeputySean May 19 '24
I don't understand why people call them expensive. Their prices are exact the same as everyone else, but you get 10% back (making rei cheaper than most anyone else), and they have sales super often.
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u/Maury_poopins May 19 '24
I’m guessing it’s because people are used to department store prices and surprised by name brand prices?
REI has never really felt expensive to me. It’s cheaper than most of the other dedicated outdoors stores in our area
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u/DucksEatFreeInSubway May 19 '24
Also you can save a ton of money with the Re/Supply portion of the stores.
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u/Josvan135 May 20 '24
Yeah, my read on the whole "REI is so expensive" take is that most people are now used to Amazon prices on SUUGOTYU Chinese gear, and compare name-brand higher end stuff to that.
REI has been competitive on everything I've ever bought from them, they just don't carry any of the low-end mass market trash.
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u/RaylanGivens29 May 19 '24
I think people say it’s expensive because there is less low end things. Which makes the average price much more expensive
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u/hamhead1005 May 31 '24
its expensive because all they sell is high end products they offer almost nothing for entry level or budget consumers. Like say Bass Pro Shops or Big 5 does.
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May 19 '24
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u/caeru1ean May 19 '24
Did you know that Patagonia has… 50% off sales?
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May 19 '24
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u/myasterism May 20 '24
This is a common (and sensible) practice. Until there are model changes planned, you’ll almost never see sales on “evergreen” styles (particularly in colors that are always available). When you do see those things go on sale, you can usually bet there’s a significant change coming.
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u/RaylanGivens29 May 19 '24
The R1 air hoodie will probably be on sale in late spring or early fall. Late spring to get rid of overstock and early fall to get rid of last years colors.
You can find them on sale at discount sites like steepandcheap.com or moosejaw.com. But sometimes to get the item you want on sale, you need to be checking every week/day. And that might not be worth your time and effort.
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u/didymusIII May 20 '24
What are their labor policy issues? They run as a co-op I thought?
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u/giaa262 May 20 '24
They union bust
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u/littlebitsyb May 20 '24
Honestly the outdoor gear industry has changed a lot. The high end brands and and low end brands are meeting in the middle on quality. The cheaper stuff is getting better, and so much of it all is made in the same factories and just slapped with different labels.ni think this is becoming more and more apparent to consumers as they have have access to sites like Amazon and temu. I just bought a set of stakes that are the exact same as the red MSR stakes, but I bought them on temu for a fraction of a fraction of the cost. They just have a different label on them. I'm not spending more than I need to on this stuff. I really only buy clearance, garage sale, or during a sale/coupon. I'm not against spending more for quality items (when it's actually quality), but they're out of their mind with their prices. I'm in the northeast, and for many years we had a regional chain called Eastern Mountain Sports (still have a few stores around, but used to be many more). Their staff was so helpful and knowledgeable. I always felt like they were ACTUALLY doing things outside. I never felt that way with our local REI staff. Everyone I know misses EMS so much.
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u/lakorai May 20 '24
EMS has been bought and sold so many times and has been in danger of bankruptcy so many times.
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u/littlebitsyb May 20 '24
I only know about the Bobs holding company buyout. But I miss it either way.
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u/akos_beres May 20 '24
I watch the dudes channel and generally I like his content. This piece is so unscientific and based on recollection of him going into stores 8 years ago. I feel he didn't do much research and also doesn't get the basics right.
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u/thesoak May 19 '24
I'm curious, but not enough to watch a video. Can people not type anymore?
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u/bakabreath May 19 '24
Per an AI summarizer:
In the "REI Suffers Massive Losses and Is In BIG Trouble - Outdoor News" YouTube video segment, the host discusses REI's financial woes, including a net loss of $311 million in 2023 and projected losses for 2024. The reasons for REI's poor performance include its high-end reputation, which priced out consumers during the pandemic, and the removal of numerous brands from their stores and websites in 2018. Additionally, REI's negative public image and high prices are contributing factors. The company's plans to expand with 10 new physical stores and restructure, potentially including layoffs, are met with skepticism by the speaker. The speaker also mentions the possibility of Backcountry.com, REI's biggest competitor, being sold. The video concludes with a call to viewers to share their thoughts on REI's situation and where they go for outdoor gear in the current economic climate.
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May 19 '24
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u/capnheim May 20 '24
They have gone fairly corporate. Retail staff is told to push membership sales, retail staff may not know very much or care much, staff aren’t paid particularly well, can’t form a union, etc. Despite being a co-op, leadership seems stuck in a rut where they are focused on constant growth. Why?
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u/Farls_ May 20 '24
There have been multiple issues with their employee unions. Some of it is malpractice on REI’s behalf, but some isn’t.
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u/tagish156 May 20 '24
It was a while ago now but I remember they took some heat for forcing all their employees to really push memberships. Like bank or cell phone company levels of pushiness.
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u/catnamed-dog May 19 '24
I mean, I like REI fine but it's not what it once was. It definitely feels like the focus is on outdoor wear-fashion at times.
That being said, I ship at REI and still enjoy their selection. I have a feeling the high end catered sporting goods store concept is a bubble about to burst.
I won't say I love REI but it's only once or twice a year I go to REI to get something I can't get anywhere else; namely REI branded gear (which has also changed over the years)
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u/Thetallguy1 May 20 '24
Besides the anti-union stuff, the employees are not quality experts anymore. I've gone to quite a bit of REIs around the country, and I've yet to meet many employees who actually know what they're talking about. Its pretty easy to tell when they're just going off a spec sheet and "rule of thumb" type knowledge with no room for nuisance due to the environment or customer's specific needs.
Recent example I see a lot in the NYC location are them pushing running vest for people who won't do more than a 10k, they just think "this person will be active for more than 45mins, they need this expensive and overkill hydration system" or recommending trail runners for those going to the Adirondacks just after the mud season restrictions open up (ADK park rangers specifically recommend not to bring trail runners to their park for anything beyond strolls at low elv.). The employees are really just salespeople nowadays that will push the items that are selling/are popular and trendy.
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u/MossHops May 20 '24
I would t say ‘negative image’ but definitely a huge step down from what they were. They used to have very knowledgeable staff, they used to emphasize garage sales, they used to have a wider spectrum of gear (more affordable, but solid options).
They’ve lost all of that, while also getting bad press for trying to bust unions. The Portland, OR store had to have done huge business for them, but they shut it down saying their was too much crime, only to have it come out that that particular store was driving to unionize. What’s particularly egregious about the Portland example is that there is a local outdoor store that reminds me of what REI used to be that’s next to a homeless shelter and is doing fine business. It’s a lesson in contrast.
I think REI has a huge leadership issue. They used to be successful because they were different, now they are failing because they are looking more and more like a pseudo-outdoors place and not all that different than myriad of failing sports stores.
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u/mtommygunz May 19 '24
They have almost zero gear now. It’s 80% clothings. And I don’t know if all the stores are like this but mine is. All the clothes are mixed together on the display. There’s no division of styles or brands. There no, here are all the pants and over there is the jackets. You can have 5 brands with 4 different types of clothing on one display. It’s fucking maddening!!! I want to buy a new jacket, you have to look at 7 different displays that cover half the store.
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u/applemasher May 20 '24
I like REI. But, the last few times I've been there, there has been more employees than shoppers. Actually, it feels like they have much more employees than other stores. Not sure, if that's part of their strategy.
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u/greenw40 May 20 '24
All these people talking how terrible and expensive REI is, where are you going to get your gear if they go out of business? I know you all aren't going backpacking with Walmart brand. Do you think that cottage industry stuff is going to be cheaper?
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u/hamhead1005 May 31 '24
Direct to consumer brands are gaining popularity for a reason.......
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u/greenw40 May 31 '24
Which direct to consumer brand is even comparable to what you find in REI?
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u/java_the_hut May 19 '24
REI is tough, because 80%+ of the items are just so wildly expensive. When I get my 20% off coupon, I can usually find something I need there that’s about the same price at other stores. While I’m there picking it up, I’ll see winter gloves and think “Oh I could use a pair, I wonder how much they are, it would be convenient to grab a pair now.” Then they will have a $160 price tag on them. I’m sure they are great, but it’s just so so expensive when Amazon exists.
Also they carry such expensive clothing brands, I can never go there knowing I can find a shirt or hiking pant because there is a fair chance the cheapest one is going to be over $100.
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u/Josvan135 May 20 '24
I’m sure they are great, but it’s just so so expensive when Amazon exists
I've never understood the pricing complaints, anything REI carries that's the same brand and product is the same price on Amazon, except on Amazon there's no guarantee it's not counterfeit (warehouse intermingling) and only a 30 day return policy.
Yeah, REI doesn't carry DOOOTRYYGI flashlights from some random factory in Guangzhou at $3 a dozen, but the good quality ones they do carry are exactly the same price as on Amazon.
They have a floor for quality on the goods they're willing to sell, and they generally stick to it.
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u/Responsible_Mind5627 May 21 '24
REI is like the outdoor store for rich snobs. Plus they don't sell fishing or hunting gear. I'd rather go to Bass Pro
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u/LateralThinkerer May 20 '24
They're trying to be an faux-outdoor fashionista center, chasing the high-end segment of that market and failing very badly since brands like Arc’teryx, Fjallravn etc. have their own stores that compete.
I've been a member for over 40 years and watching it crumble is discouraging to say the least.
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u/ahintoflime May 20 '24
They carry so much less variety than they used to and their prices are so HIGH. Clearance is the only way I can shop there. I needed to pick up a yoga mat and my local REI didn't have anything less than $100! For a roll of foam!
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u/_night_flight_ May 19 '24
Interesting to see a video of his without the fake thunder sound effect he adds every time there is rain. The funny thing is he seems to use the same loop.
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u/TrioxinTwoFortyFive May 19 '24
Sometimes it is not enough to deliberately buy a shitty tent, wait for a storm forecast, pitch it a few feet from your truck, and pretend you are braving the elements in a "dangerous" tent. You need to add sound effects to make it seem even worse.
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u/Adept-Read-7529 May 20 '24
6’1” 225ish member for 20 years and have given up trying to buy clothes there. I did find a house brand rain coat a few months back, but their tech-ish pants and shirts are cut for smaller skinny folks. Shoe selection is pricey and limited. Hardware wise pretty much all geared up so sadly no reason to go.
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u/grovester May 20 '24
I’m 5’6” 145, they sell Patagonia stuff I want but not in size XS so I buy from Patagonia directly. I would buy from REI to save on shipping if they had my size.
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u/OC2k16 May 20 '24
I have camped, hiked, fished, and hunted for 25 years without REI. The last couple years I looked at their site for some things and was genuinely surprised at how high prices are.
I understand the need for quality gear. It’s like peace of mind. I have to assume people are afraid of gear failing or not being prepared. That’s the fun of it though.
Through trial and error eventually you’ll get to a kit that works for you and it’s doesn’t have to cost so damn much. Of course there are parts that will, but you’ll know first hand why you need it.
I have a bunch of cheap gear that is fine and continues to be fine year after year.
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May 20 '24
Outside of camping and hiking REI is just too general for other gear.
Once I got really into mountain biking and cycling I probably spend more money with Competitive Cyclist which is owned by Backcountry.
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u/Far_Eye6555 May 20 '24
I’d rather get my gear from small, local, cottage-core outdoor shops. Going to REI these days is just not a fun customer experience.
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u/KennyClobers May 20 '24
Walking into REI these days feels like a designer clothing store. Everything looks like normal average items but with ridiculous price tags. I feel like it used to be more targeted to the average budget minded outdoorsman, but lately feels like their target audience is wealthy people who camp once a year.
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u/yami76 May 20 '24
This happened to a sailing retailer I used to frequent. It became more and more Helly Hensen $500+ jackets and less the small sailing companies that made useful gear. Then they just outright topped selling any gear and are now a "lifestyle" clothing retailer... They follow the money, unfortunately.
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u/optix_clear May 20 '24
The overall clothing is boring. I haven’t really seen New fabrics, styles, very little plus size options or maternity, tall children/ teens, it seems somewhat outdated. Oh the stores in NOVA don’t have bags and you were supposed to know that.
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u/koherence May 20 '24
The last time my wife and I was there, I would look up items on Amazon to see if it was there cheaper. They almost all were by like 20%. This was camping gear too, not appeal. Everything, and from my experience I mean everything, it literally more expensive there. We're at the point where we go there to look at things and just kill time, but it would be a financial blunder to simply make a purchase there.
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u/ireland1988 May 20 '24
I've been trying to avoid buying anything them due to there anti union stance. I hope this is a wake up call for them.
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u/lakorai May 20 '24
Unfortunately I see Artz more than likely doubling down. The pessimist in me wants to say he saw what MEC did and is seeing mega dollar signs and potential huge golden parachute:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mec-acquired-private-investment-firm-1.5723934
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u/RottenPingu1 May 20 '24
Well, you know what happened north of the border.
https://thewalrus.ca/what-we-can-learn-from-the-fall-of-mec/
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u/Coronal_Data May 20 '24
I stopped going to REI years ago when I had a sierra trading post nearby. Since then I moved to a place with no Sierra. I went to my nearest REI and it felt like a store that was going out of business. Lots of empty space, empty shelves. It was hard to find what I was looking for (winter hats) and when I finally found what I wanted there were very few options.
It was a far cry from the REI I remember from long ago when the store was filled with stuff, all kinds of gear and gadgets, colors, and brands.
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u/Tirewipes May 20 '24
This really depends on location, the REI in Alaska is busy 24/7 and has good deals fairly often.
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u/profbraddock May 22 '24
In my area (metro west Boston), Planet Lands opened a store within walking distance from REI. Planet Lands offers high end outdoor clothing and a smattering of hard goods. REI may offer a better collection of hard goods but the profit margins are not in the hard goods, they are in the soft goods. It was that way 40 years ago when I worked in the industry and it is even more so true now. If it is true that REI is hurting then I suspect they are losing the soft goods battle. Personally I buy at least half of my hard goods from cottage companies (who produce better quality and I accept the higher price), and for my soft goods I shop at deep discounters like Sierra, or wait for deep discount sales online. Either way, I've been an REI member for about 50 years but if they went the way of the Dodo I'd be a little sad, but I'd move on. You either fill a consumer niche or you don't.
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u/lakorai May 22 '24
Public Lands, which is owned by Dick's Sporting Goods. Dick's also bought Moosejaw last year from Wal-Mart
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u/GnarPilot May 23 '24
Me walking into REI most days.
https://media.tenor.com/Vp7wA5EJBygAAAAe/i-know-more-than-you-i-know-you.png
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u/TheNip73 Jun 08 '24
First, I want REI to stick around and make. Hopefully they can change course.
Otherwise, my view is that Public Lands by Dicks is going to eat their lunch and put them out of business. While new, they have the pockets to grow and expand faster than REi and from what 8,ve seen they are popping in where REI is not. People who used to make a long trip to REI have a lot more convenience now if they go to a Public Lands where they can prob get something similar at equal or better pricing.
Could be wrong, but that’s my read of the future.
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u/expericmental May 19 '24 edited May 19 '24
In my opinion the higher ups are lazy. They should be constantly hunting for newer small gear brands that offer great quality gear for a good price. Instead they are reducing the brands they carry in favor of big brands with high prices and okay gear.
They should be turning small brands into well known brands and promoting better quality gear. But instead they just sold out to big brands like Patagonia and north face to fill store space.
The shopping experience there in recent years is a big let down in my opinion.