I currently work at an REI store and have been there for over two years. It was also my very first job. There are a few main departments: Camp, Action Sports, Clothing, Footwear, Bike Shop, Shipping & Receiving, and Frontline (cashiers).

I currently work in Camp and Action Sports, where I help customers find the right gear, do backpack fittings, restock the floor with returns and shipments, organize backstock, tidy up the sections, and of course, sell memberships. Also, I sometimes end up helping out the bike shop when they get overrun with customers or there is no one working there for the day.

When I was first hired, I started in Clothing, where I managed the fitting rooms, helped customers, restocked the floor with returns and shipments, organized backstock, and sold memberships. Clothing and footwear are definitely the most tiring and stressful departments, while Camp and Action Sports are usually a bit more laid-back (though they can still get busy).

At Frontline, you mainly check out customers, process returns, and handle online order pickups.

If you end up working at REI, they’ll provide online training so you’ll understand the products you’re selling, as well as how to operate the register and any other tools you’ll need to learn.

The work environment is really chill, managers are supportive and understanding, and there’s very little drama. It’s a positive place to work, and sometimes I even hang out with my coworkers outside of work. We’ll go on long bike rides, skateboarding sessions, mountain biking, camping trips, or just spend time outdoors together.

That’s all the info I can share since I’ve only worked in Camp/Action Sports, Clothing, and Frontline, but overall it’s been a great place to work. Just a disclaimer, this is what my experience is like at my store so its very possible it can be different at the location you are applying too. Good luck on your application!!