REI Lays Off 400 Retail Employees

Despite a surge in the U.S. this spring and summer in outdoor recreation activities, such as camping, hiking, biking and paddling, REI this week is laying off about 400 retail employees who are currently furloughed, according to a letter to staff from REI CEO Eric Artz.

REI, which is headquartered in Kent, Wash., operates 162 stores in 39 states and employs approximately 13,000 people at its stores.

In a July 10 email to the Kent Reporter, a spokesperson said, “Nearly all REI stores are open in some capacity with a focus on health and safety standards for employees and customers, and we’ve been able to bring the majority of those employees back from furlough. This week we notified approximately 400 retail employees (less than 5% of our retail staff) that they will not be brought back when the furlough period ends on July 15.”

When REI closed stores in March because of COVID-19, retail employees continued to be paid and maintained their benefits through April 14. On April 15, 90% of the retail staff was placed on an unpaid 90-day furlough, while maintaining their benefits.

REI also laid off about 300 employees at the Kent headquarters which employs about 1,000 people in April.