'Unviable': REI closes its Experiences travel division, resulting in the layoff of 428 staff members.

REI is closing its Experiences business, which includes adventure travel, day trips, classes and other events.

Consequently, the outdoor equipment retailer based in Seattle will be letting go of 428 workers, comprising 180 full-time employees and 248 part-time staff. These individuals were involved in REI's Experiences division, which provided a range of indoor and outdoor classes, skills training, and travel adventures.

On Wednesday, REI's CEO and President Eric Artz communicated the decision to all employees through a message.

"After a thorough review and careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to exit the Experiences business altogether, effective this week," he said in the note posted online.

In the note, Artz expressed, "You have fulfilled all the tasks assigned to you, put in tremendous effort, and successfully educated and crafted amazing experiences for almost one million individuals throughout the years."

In 2024, the division catered to 40,000 customers, accounting for less than 0.4% of the total REI Co-op clientele. "It costs considerably more to operate than the revenue it generates," Artz stated.