REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) said it will open its first store in Ohio, a new store in Medford, Ore., and relocate its current location in Cary, N.C.
Located at Rookwood Commons, REI Cincinnati will open next fall and is the co-op’s first location in Ohio. The nearly 22,000-square-foot, one-story location will serve outdoor enthusiasts in the area, including more than 5,000 active REI members. REI Medford’s 23,500 -quare-foot, one-story location will open next fall in Alba Village and help outfit approximately 7,300 local active members and other adventurers.
Relocating its current store in Cary, N.C. from Crossroads Plaza to Devonshire Place in the spring of 2012 will allow REI to expand from approximately 21,000 square feet to 27,200 square feet. The larger footprint will allow the retailer to increase its product offerings in cycling, footwear and paddling. The Cary location joins stores in Durham, N.C., Greensboro, N.C. and Raleigh, N.C. in serving 77,600 active REI members in the area. The original Cary store opened in 1992.
In addition, the community rooms in REI Medford and REI Cary will allow the company and its local partners to host outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.
For the stores in Cincinnati and Medford, REI will recruit between 40 and 50 new employees who share a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to quality customer service.
Opening eight new stores in 2011, REI operates 122 retail stores in 29 states with two online stores rei.com and REI-OUTLET.com. The new stores will join three additional 2012 store openings in Indianapolis, IN (opening in the spring), Oxnard, CA, and Woodbridge, VA (both opening in the fall).
While anyone may shop at REI, members pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases in 2010. Earlier this year, $94.3 million in annual refunds was distributed to more than 4.4 million active members. Members also receive discounts on gear rentals, REI Adventures trips and REI Outdoor School classes.
