Retail sales---Good company, PT benefits, limited opportunities if your life/family is established - Sales Specialist REI Employee Review

4.0
18 Apr 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good training, good customer service policies, good products. Nice health insurance and savings benefits for PT employees.

Cons

Retail leadership could be more honest and open. Limited opportunities in retail management, since you're expected to move frequently, rather than stay in one store. Need to complete "endorsement process" by store manager to be able to apply for retail management jobs. Very conservative culture, which is a liability in the 21st century.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
24 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great work environment, Management Cares. Great discounts if you are into outdoors stuff

Cons

Sometimes mundane work, but coworkers are great

3.0
9 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Most coworkers, some managers, discounts, outfitting people properly without extra nonsense

Cons

Some truly horrible managers, pressure to sell credit cards is a morale killer, the union people. Employees drinking the union kool aid fail to see the company’s position, REI cannot give higher pay, better benefits , consistent hours, etc… with the erratic revenue stream that comes in , if a 5 year average is X in revenue and 5 year average is Y on wages and costs, how are they supposed to increase wages and benefits? It’s numbers and they don’t line up, if REI gives the increases which increases the expenses greatly, they will cut staff, a lot fewer employees which will eliminate a bunch of union supporters, an REI job is not supposed to be a lucrative deal, when you get hired the part time , part time plus and full time options are there and you choose what you want fully understanding what hours you are going to get at minimum, they will hire those positions on a need basis, to cry later that you don’t make enough money is your fault, the terms were clear and you signed off on them. The union is promising rainbows , reality will be far different, careful what you wish for

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