REI to Open in Clackamas Town Center in Portland, Oregon

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced plans to open a store at Clackamas Town Center in Portland, Oregon, in the fall of 2007.

“More than 138,000 active REI members reside in the Portland area and we believe our Clackamas location will be an added convenience for our members, customers and outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities,” said Tim Spangler, retail regional vice president, west region. “The new store will also provide additional opportunities for REI and our employees to be involved in the community and with local nonprofit groups dedicated to protecting shared lands and increasing outdoor participation.”

REI’s presence in Oregon dates back to 1976 when the cooperative opened in Jantzen Beach, the third store for the company. The store was relocated to Portland’s Pearl District in 2004. Other REI stores in Oregon include Tualatin, Eugene, Hillsboro and Bend, which opened in 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2005 respectively. REI’s Pearl District store is 13 miles from the Clackamas Town Center location.

The two-story approximately 29,000 square-foot store will be located near I-205 at Sunnyside Road and employ 65-70 full and part-time staff. The store will provide top outdoor brands of outdoor gear and clothing for camping, climbing, cycling, paddling, hiking, travel and snow sports, including REI’s own line of award-winning gear and apparel.

While anyone may shop at REI, members pay a one-time $15 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. Earlier this year, the co-op returned $58 million to its members through the refund.

REI is known for knowledgeable employees who help select the right gear and offer information and useful tips on how to achieve a great outdoor experience. A gear rental department encourages customers to try new outdoor activities. Internet kiosks within the store provide access to REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com for product information and to order products not currently in stock. More than half of online customers choose REI Store Pickup, a service that allows customers to pick up online purchases at a store without a shipping charge.

REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. In 2006 REI supported 25 conservation and outdoor recreation nonprofit organizations throughout Oregon. The company provided grant support to several groups that are active in the Clackamas region, including Camp Fire USA, Girls Inc. of NW Oregon, Tualatin Riverkeepers and Willamette Riverkeeper.

Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is an outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure. REI operates 90 stores in 26 states, two online stores – REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. For 10 consecutive years, REI has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” In 2007, the company ranked 27th overall and first among companies that encourage employees to balance work and personal lives. For information about employment opportunities with the co-op, visit www.rei.com/jobs.