DENVER — REI Co-op will be closed on Thanksgiving and Black Friday once again.
The outdoor retailer said its more than 180 locations will be closed as part of a movement the retailer calls "Opt Outside."
"Rather than focusing on profits and sales, the co-op is paying its 16,000 employees to spend the day outside, while calling on the broader community to join and help others to do the same," REI said in a statement.
In 2022, REI announced Opt Outside would become an ongoing, permanent, employee benefit.
REI will close all stores, distribution centers, activity centers, call centers, and headquarters on Black Friday. While customers can still place an order on REI.com, order processing and fulfillment will not begin until the following day.
"Eight years ago, we asked everyone to join us in ditching the chaos and mass consumerism of Black Friday and instead spend the day outside. But for millions of people living in America, the invitation to Opt Outside isn’t so simple," said REI CEO Eric Artz. "We’re committed to changing that."
REI said it wants to help pass the Outdoors for All Act, which would secure funding for green spaces in underserved communities.
"If you’re planning to Opt Outside with REI on Black Friday, help others do the same," said Artz. "Voicing support for the Outdoors for All Act is a simple, but impactful step that can help make the possibility of Opt Outside a reality for everyone."
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