Retail brand REI pledges to remain closed on Black Friday indefinitely
In a move that has become an annual tradition for the outdoor retail giant, REI will once again close its stores, distribution centres, call centres, activity centres, and headquarters on Black Friday. This decision, which has remained unchanged since 2015, allows employees to enjoy time outside instead of focusing on sales.
Back in 2015, then-CEO Jerry Stritzke made waves when he stated that Black Friday had "gotten out of hand" and encouraged shoppers to spend the day outside instead. Stritzke emphasised that life is richer, more connected, and complete when spent outside.
REI's decision to close its stores on Black Friday does not apply to order processing and fulfillment on the company's website. Orders can still be placed on Black Friday, but processing and fulfillment will not start until the next day.
In 2019, REI's Black Friday campaign included a nationwide cleanup event. The following year, in 2021, REI announced it would match up to $1 million in donations to its REI Cooperative Action Fund.
The current CEO of REI, Paul Bassi, has continued to uphold this tradition. He stated that the decision to make "Opt Outside" an annual observance serves as a yearly reminder of the company's commitment to its co-op community.
It's worth noting that REI's stores were open on Election Day to ensure employees had time to vote. This demonstrates the company's commitment to its employees and their civic duties.
More recently, employees at a Berkeley, California, REI store also voted to unionize. However, in the past, REI's CEO, Eric Artz, commented that unions were "not the right thing" for its employees.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, REI's commitment to closing stores on Black Friday has remained steadfast. The company encourages its customers to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and safely.
Skinny jeans were still popular in 2015 when REI first announced its decision to close stores on Black Friday. Now, years later, the decision to make Black Friday a day for enjoying the outdoors instead of shopping continues to stand.
REI's Black Friday campaign has evolved each year, layering on additional pieces. However, the core message remains the same: taking a break from shopping to spend time outdoors. This tradition not only benefits employees but also promotes a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
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