Shake-up as REI expands in southern California
16/08/2010
“We want to provide families and those who love the outdoors with the advice, education and products they need to enjoy the outdoors comfortably and easily,” said Greg Mellinger, REI retail director for southern California. “This announcement reflects our commitment to expanding our presence in southern California and offering our members and customers more ways to get outside.”
The new store in Santa Barbara will open in the autumn of 2011. The location will offer products for outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel. The store will also provide a bike shop for assemblies and repairs, gear rental department and community space where non-profit organisations and outdoor bodies can hold classes and events.
The relocation of REI’s current store at McFadden Place in Santa Ana to The Market Place in Tustin will increase the store’s size by nearly 50%. Opening this autumn, the larger location will allow REI to increase its current product assortment by approximately 30%.
There are currently 257,000 active REI members within the Los Angeles area and 7,900 active members within the Santa Barbara area. The new stores will join additional locations in Arcadia, Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, Northridge, Rancho Cucamonga and Santa Monica. REI currently has 26 stores in California and 112 across the US.
REI will hire approximately 40 to 50 new employees for the new Santa Barbara store and approximately 25 additional employees for the larger Tustin location. The co-op recruits candidates that share a passion for the outdoors and quality customer service. More information about employment opportunities will be available at www.rei.com/jobs.
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