How to easily start a fire outdoors
This is the correct way to start and extinguish a campfire.
Problem solved, reviewed
Outdoor retailer REI will be pitching tents at three locations.
The Seattle-based cooperative, which has more than 25 million members and more than 190 stores, announced it will close stores in Boston, New York City and Paramus, New Jersey in 2026.
“We are deeply grateful to our team, members, customers and store community for their support over the years,” REI said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “As markets and customer needs evolve, we must adapt to ensure the Co-op’s long-term success. We will continue to serve our members and customers at these stores until closing, and at our other stores in the New York and Boston areas.”
Outdoor retailers make concessions as consumer confidence shakes
REI isn’t the only outdoor retailer facing challenges. Outdoor sporting goods chain Orbis recently announced plans to close around half of its stores by early 2026, with Orbis president Simon Perkins citing an “unprecedented pricing situation” that was driving up costs and price tags.
Additionally, real estate news site Costar.com noted in an Oct. 10 article that Eddie Bauer has closed several stores this year, reflecting problems for outdoor retailers as consumer spending on goods has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Consumer sentiment among low- and middle-income earners has declined due to stricter discretionary spending. The outdoor industry has grown 31% since 2020, but the market is down 2% from a year ago, Matt Tucker, director of client development for Circana’s sporting goods business, told Outside magazine earlier this year.
“Out-of-home specialty retail has experienced four quarters of decline, and the trend is getting worse,” former REI CEO Eric Ertz told employees in early 2024. The co-op continues to face challenges, reporting a net loss of $156.4 million in 2024. Revenue decreased 6.2% year over year, REI reported in May 2025.
In January 2025, REI discontinued its experiences business, which included adventure travel, day trips, classes, and other events. The company also laid off 180 full-time and 248 part-time employees, most of whom were employed in its operations.
REI will open 10 new stores in 2024 and six more in 2025, according to its website. Mary Beth Lawton, who took over as CEO of REI in February, announced on September 29 the details of a new three-year strategic plan titled “Peak 28: Rising Together,” with the goal of becoming “the most trusted retailer for people who love the outdoors.”
As Lawton said in an email to employees (and a post on the REI website), “Making these changes won’t be easy. They will require us to fundamentally transform, make hard choices, and evolve the way we work over the next few years.”
Which REI stores will be closing?
- Paramus, New Jersey: It will be completed in the first three months of 2026.
- Boston: Closed at the end of 2026.
- New York City: The REI SoHo flagship store is scheduled to close at the end of 2026.
Contributor: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: blythe & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
What is everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter and get the latest news of the day
