Pretty good as far as a retail job goes. - Sales Specialist REI Employee Review

3.0
23 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great industry discounts on gear, with occaisonal freebies from vendors, pretty relaxed and really nice customers, teammates are for the most part, nice folks. Pay is slightly better than most other retail jobs, and management can be pretty lenient on days off provided you put in your time off early enough. Generally drama-free workplace and you learn a LOT from your colleagues, product trainings and other customers you meet in store. It's your standard retail job with slightly better pay than your average big-box store chain.

Cons

Not enough hours to make a living wage, most of my colleagues have to work multiple jobs to survive. Expect days where you work one to two days a week. Full-time status is almost never given to employees anymore unless you were grandfathered in pre-2023. Lots of pressure to sell memberships and credit cards from management and corporate. Not much room for growth internally nowadays since corporate almost always never hires from retail and management/lead roles are far and few in between. Most folks end up leaving after a year. Union-busting from management and corporate.

Explore other reviews about REI

5.0
16 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People and incredible work culture. REI truly walks the walk when it comes to company culture. Significant amount of focus on people and values in a genuine way. Exceptional benefits and pay. Making medical coverage available for all employees part time and full time.

Cons

Not many negatives to share.

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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