REI Co-op honored On with its 2023 Vendor Partner of the Year award. The retailer said, “that by marrying style, comfort and functional performance, On continues to bring compelling, functional innovation to REI and attracts customers of all ages and backgrounds to running and hiking season after season.”

“Our vendors and their offerings play a vital role in keeping REI relevant to the consumer and our members,” said Chris Speyer, REI senior vice president and chief merchandising officer. “It’s always a challenge to select one partner as our vendor of the year, but for 2023 On stood out for being one of the fastest-growing brands in footwear and its commitment to empowering more people to get outside to run and hike. Most importantly, we’re excited about On’s continued enthusiasm to bring industry-disrupting innovation and sustainability efforts to our customers, all while continuing to be collaborative and agile through variable market conditions.”

REI Vendor Partner of the Year divisional award recipients include:

  • Danner (Footwear and Basics): The co-op said Danner continues to offer REI’s customers specialty, quality and innovative products that stand the test of time.
  • Exped (Camp): REI said the brand is a value-driven company known for high-quality materials and construction to ensure a comfortable sleep outside.
  • Quality Bicycle Products (Action Sports): REI said QBP has a long history of inspiring and enhancing the cycling experience and brings innovation and accessibility to make it easier for customers to keep their bikes geared up for adventures.
  • Smartwool (Apparel): REI said the brand, an overall REI Vendor Partner of the Year award winner in 2018 and nine-time divisional award winner, continues to innovate and lead sustainability efforts in the outdoor and merino wool industry. From a partnership perspective, Smartwool continues to look to REI to launch exclusive product collections and is a pioneer in wool sustainability.

REI’s Vendor Partner of the Year awards program began in 1993. Companies are nominated yearly by the co-op’s four merchandising divisions: action sports, camp, apparel, and footwear and basics, for “partnering with REI to meet customer needs, raise the bar for product quality and drive sustainable business practices.”

For the first time, REI will donate $500 for each divisional category winner and $1,000 for the overall vendor partner of the year to the REI Cooperative Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity launched in 2021 by REI Co-op.

Photo courtesy On