Pros
The people who work there love what they do, each other, and engaging people about the Outdoors. It can be a wonderful community. The customers are mostly there because they are interested in excited in the products and people. I love the theme of stewardship and getting people connected with the natural world, and themselves in it.
Cons
Really poor pay, and the compensation package does not make up for it. Average benefits, unless your first interest in getting gear. People have to make sacrifices to work here. The CEO committed to "stay ahead" of the market pay scale, but REI has failed to do so in many areas of the country. Employees start at minimum wage, or just above, and are held to a very high standard for performance. Merit increases are a joke, between 1% and 5%, once a year, with no adjustment for inflation. Cost of medical benefit premium increases are greater than the merit increase. It is impossible to stay in the job without advancing to management. Highly biased and competitive to advance in their retail management. A boss who chooses not to support you can destroy your chances to advance, transfer or grow in any way. Absolutely no employment reward for tenure. If you don't advance, you are managed out of your job, and they want young, hungry people in their leadership roles, willing to relocate. Minimal relocation financial support.