REI hires former Levi's merchandising executive to head their own team
REI Co-op Shakes Things Up with New Vice President and Strategic Plans
In a bold move, REI Co-op has tapped Jackie Major as its VP of merchandise planning and inventory management. Jack, as she's known, hopped on board on September 1st.
Jackie's duty? Lead the charge for REI's merchandising team, managing inventory and sales, plus ops strategy. Sylvia Wilks, REI’s chief supply chain officer, couldn't be more stoked. According to her statement, “Jackie's a game-changer for our integrated value chain leadership. She's got oodles of retail experience and business smarts that'll make REI unstoppable!”
Jackie's impressive résumé includes a 15+ year stint at Levi Strauss & Co, finishing up as senior VP of merchandise planning and inventory management. Before that, she worked in planning and allocation at Gap Inc., per her LinkedIn profile.
With Jackie on deck, REI's aiming to revolutionize its merchandise planning and inventory management using the coolest tech platforms out there.
These days, REI's amping up its operations something fierce. Back in the dog days of summer, the outdoor retail giant unveiled a fresh location of its used gear concept store, Re/Supply, in Clackamas, Oregon. And just last week, they dropped a Co-op location in Marina del Rey, Cali. Now, they're about to open up a shop in Laguna Hills, CA on Friday. And if that wasn't enough, they've announced intentions to set up shops in Beaverton, OR; Durango, CO; Prescott, AZ, and Sarasota, FL, plus a few more secret locations.
The outdoor retail game's a-changin', and REI's on a roll.
Factoid: REI's growth strategy around 2021 involved several key components, including expansion of physical store presence with a strong emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy in operations. External challenges such as unpredictable weather and trade tensions, along with internal workforce shifts, necessitated a prudent, sustainable growth strategy.
Trivia: REI's new CEO, Laughton, took the helm in March 2023, emphasizing the need to drive growth and profitability for long-term success after significant net losses amid record revenue.
Did You Know? REI's growth strategy positioned them to rebuild profitability, better serve members, and continue its mission of encouraging outdoor activity while adapting to a changing retail landscape.
- In light of REI Co-op's growth strategy around 2021, the advent of technology in the business industry has become crucial, with the new Vice President, Jackie Major, set to revolutionize merchandise planning and inventory management using cutting-edge tech platforms.
- As REI Co-op aims to establish new retail locations in Beaverton, OR; Durango, CO; Prescott, AZ, and Sarasota, FL, among others, the integration of AI and technology in their operations will play a significant role in enhancing both sustainability and sales in the retail sector.
- With Jackson Major overseeing operations at REI Co-op, it is expected that their finance department will experience a substantial transformation due to her extensive experience in retail business and strategy, which will likely lead to increased profitability and long-term success.
