KENT, Wash. — REI President and CEO Eric Artz announced Sunday that 162 stores will temporarily close from March 16-27, in response to the coronavirus emergency.
In a message sent out to the company’s co-op community, Artz said in part, "I believe that is the right thing for our community. In fact, I believe it is our duty—to do all we can to help keep one another safe in this unprecedented moment.
Artz said that employees would be paid during the temporary closure. He also said, while stores are closed, the company will be working hard to do everything to continue to serve its customers, mentioning that all orders through REI.com will be shipped free while stores are closed.
He also said:
“We’ve always been deliberate and transparent when making significant decisions about our business. This is a difficult decision for any business, and I do not make it lightly. Our decisions are grounded in the belief that there are more important things than business right now—we owe that to one another. Know that we will continue to work closely with our teams and public health officials throughout the country to understand how to best serve your needs, and serve our customers as soon as local conditions allow. We’ll continue to share information with our members and employees as we move forward together into a future that’s hard to predict.”
For the safety of our communities, all REI Co-op stores will be closed effective March 16 until March 27. All store employees will be paid during this temporary closure. Read the full letter from CEO Eric Artz.
— REI (@REI) March 16, 2020
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