After 6 years at the helm of REI, the co-op’s president and CEO Eric Artz will retire at the end of March. His successor, Mary Beth Laughton, will take over the role on February 3 and assume full CEO responsibilities by March 31.
Laughton is a former REI board director who most recently served as a board member for Instacart and led Nike Global Direct to Consumer Sales. She’s also held leadership roles with Athleta, Impossible Foods, and Sephora.
“Mary Beth has the ideal experience to build on this foundation and to lead REI forward into our next chapter,” REI Board Chairman Chris Carr said in a statement. “The world needs a strong REI, and we are confident Mary Beth will hit the ground running.”
REI confirmed that Artz’s departure and Laughton’s appointment follow a “planned succession process.”
Eric Artz: REI Legacy
Carr also praised Artz for his leadership during what he called “some of the most challenging years the retail sector and our co-op ever faced.”
To be sure, Artz faced a variety of unprecedented issues in his tenure. He stepped into the role of president and CEO amid a swirl of speculation following an internal REI investigation that led to the unexpected resignation of Artz’s predecessor, Jerry Stritzke, in 2019.
Less than a year later, Artz and the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted every sector, upending retail and supply chains. Still, Artz helped the co-op achieve climate neutral status in 2020 and led the brand through significant social and structural changes that reshaped the brand.
Since 2020, REI has redoubled its efforts to improve representation and accessibility in its products, partnering with brands like Outdoor Afro on capsule apparel launches and retooling its flagship Magma sleeping bags to offer more inclusive “gender-free” sizing options. And the co-op helped launch the Embark Program to support BIPOC-led startups through a partnership with Founded Outdoors.
But for REI, the last 6 years were not without troubles. In 2022, the co-op was thrust into the national spotlight over workers’ health, safety, and culture concerns when its SoHo, N.Y., store pushed to unionize. That effort succeeded despite the co-op’s position against it. In the ensuing years, the number of unionized stores grew to 10, with an 11th store awaiting a vote.
Most recently, Artz made the “difficult decision” to end REI’s Experiences adventure travel program after 40 years. In doing so, the co-op eliminated jobs for 180 employees and 248 part-time guides.
Looking Ahead
Despite recent obstacles, REI said it’s on track to meet its 2024 goals. It will break even on operating profit and nearly break even with free cash flow, according to REI managers.
“REI is in a strong position today because [Artz] always kept our purpose, values, and people as his north star,” Carr said.
When she steps in as president on Feb. 3, Laughton will begin her tenure with REI by hitting the road to visit stores and distribution centers. She plans to meet in person with employees, partners, and community members, according to the co-op.
In a letter to employees, Artz expressed gratitude for the support of REI’s staff while reaffirming the co-op’s mission.
“Our shared belief is that a life outdoors is a life well lived; that time outside is where we are our best selves and where we are most connected to one another,” Arts wrote.
“Being outside means something different for everyone and our job is not to tell people what that looks like. It is to show one another and to welcome others, always making time outside more accessible to more people in more ways. That is worth fighting for and why I believe the world must have a strong REI. THANK YOU for believing in this power and sharing your passion with millions of people every day.”
