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REI shuttering stores Black Friday, urges fans, workers to enjoy the outdoors

Outdoor retailer REI is closing its doors to shoppers and urging employees, as well as consumers, to enjoy the biggest shopping day of the year in the outdoors.

November 2, 2015

As some retailers are closing on Thanksgiving to let employees enjoy the national holiday, outdoor retailer REI is closing its doors to shoppers and urging its employees, as well as consumers, to enjoy the biggest shopping day of the year in the outdoors.

It is also hoping consumers and fans will share what they plan to do on Black Friday by uploading a photo and a note on a special page.

In a letter to both employees and fans, President and CEO Jerry Stritzke says in closing all 143 retail locations, headquarters and its two distribution center, and giving the day as a paid work day to its 12,000 employees, it’s hoping all will take advantage by doing what they love most — enjoying the outdoors.

The retailer is inviting the nation to join in by choosing to #OptOutside to reconnect with family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday.
 
"Black Friday is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the essential truth that life is richer, more connected and complete when you choose to spend it outside. We’re closing our doors, paying our employees to get out there, and inviting America to OptOutside with us because we love great gear, but we are even more passionate about the experiences it unlocks," writes Stritzke, who quotes outdoor visionary John Muir, who said in 1901, "thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home."
 
To help aspiring adventurers choose how to #OptOutside, optoutside.rei.com features recommended hiking trails, many built and nurtured by nonprofits supported by REI.

On the day itself, REI.com states it will feature a black takeover screen that encourages customers to #OptOutside.

"As a member-owned co-op, our definition of success goes beyond money. We believe that a life lived outdoors is a life well lived and we aspire to be stewards of our great outdoors. We think that Black Friday has gotten out of hand and so we are choosing to invest in helping people get outside with loved ones this holiday season, over spending it in the aisles. Please join us and inspire us with your experiences. We hope to engage millions of Americans and galvanize the outdoor community to get outside," pens Stritzke.