Seattle — REI has promoted Rachel Ligtenberg to vice president of retail following a 25-year tenure with the co-op. In her new role, she adds retail operations to her current responsibilities of leading store design, visual merchandising and the co-op’s flagship strategy.
Ligtenberg, who reports to Tim Spangler, senior vice president of retail, will continue to enhance REI’s retail experience through new store design concepts to showcase its products, services and educational programs. The co-op currently operates 141 stores in 33 states, including four flagship locations in Seattle, Denver, Bloomington, Minn., and New York. REI’s fifth flagship location will open in the historic Uline Arena in Washington, D.C. in fall 2016.
Ligtenberg joined the co-op after college as a sales associate in the Sacramento store. During her time at REI, she has impacted many parts of the business by leading marketing, merchandising and retail teams. She served as the general manager of the Seattle flagship store for 7 years before becoming director of visual merchandising and later regional vice president of retail.
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. REI has 141 stores in 33 states. For more information, visit www.REI.com.
SOURCE: REI