Recreational Equipment, Inc., doing business as REI, is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. It was formerly governed, and continues to brand itself, as a consumers' co-operative. REI sells camping gear, hiking, climbing, cycling, water, running, fitness, snow, travel equipment, and men, women and kids clothing. It also offers services such as outdoor-oriented vacations and courses.
Flagship store (1962–1996) in Seattle, circa 1980; 11th & Pine on Capitol Hill
REI store in Hillsboro, Oregon
REI store in Mountain View, California (2006-2021)
A consumers' co-operative is an enterprise owned by consumers and managed democratically and that aims at fulfilling the needs and aspirations of its members. Such co-operatives operate within the market system, independently of the state, as a form of mutual aid, oriented toward service rather than pecuniary profit. Many cooperatives, however, do have a degree of profit orientation. Just like other corporations, some cooperatives issue dividends to owners based on a share of total net profit or earnings ; or based on a percentage of the total amount of purchases made by the owner. Regardless of whether they issue a dividend or not, most consumers’ cooperatives will offer owners discounts and preferential access to goods and services.
Raunds Co-operative Society Limited was a consumer co-operative society based in Raunds, Northamptonshire, founded in 1891.
Model of Robert Owen's visionary project for a cooperative settlement. Owenites fired bricks to build it, but construction never took place.
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was established in 1844 and defined the modern cooperative movement.
January 1947 Co-op Magazine back cover designed as a promotional poster