Outdoor gear retailer REI gets its geek on, names several techies to board

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REI may be known for ice axes and backpacks. But the Seattle online retailer is getting a little geeky in the board room. The company today announced that it has named venture capitalist Steven Hooper —  the former CEO of AT&T Wireless and co-founder of Ignition Partners — and Matt Compton — the CEO of… Read More…

Obama picks REI exec Sally Jewell as Interior secretary

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Big news out today in the world of politics with President Barack Obama announcing that he’s chosen former REI Chief Executive Sally Jewell as Interior secretary. In the role, Jewell will oversee the country’s national parks as well as drilling operations on public land. At outdoor retailer REI, Jewell was praised for expanding the company’s… Read More…

Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks make Fortune’s 100 best companies to work for

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Six Washington companies made it to Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list this year, with Microsoft (75), Nordstrom (88) and Starbucks (95) all making the list. REI was the top-ranked Washington-based company, coming in at No. 17. Law firm Perkins Coie was next at No. 33, while The Everett Clinic ranked 58th. Google ranked… Read More…

REI, LinkedIn land in top 10 places for work-life balance; Facebook falls off

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When employers dangle salaries and signing bonuses and Justin Bieber songs in front of prospective employees, they might just want to consider how well they’re doing on one more thing: work-life balance. These top 25 companies in 2012 must be doing something right. Jobs and workplace site glassdoor.com just released its cumulative study of employee… Read More…

Amazon tops e-retail satisfaction survey with highest score ever

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Amazon.com has few physical touch points with its customers, operating somewhat mysteriously from its headquarters in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. No stores. No customer support line. But that lack of interaction doesn’t seem to be holding the company back. In fact, customers love the company more than ever, according to ForeSee’s Top 100 E-Retail… Read More…

Is Amazon.com about to get all outdoorsy on REI? Job posts indicate new sports site

Is Amazon about to step on REI and others? Photo: Alan Cleaver

Should REI start sweating about Amazon.com, its new neighbor in the South Lake Union neighborhood? Job postings from Amazon’s Quidsi unit indicate that the company may be getting ready to put its foot down in a new category: outdoor sports. Quidsi has launched a number of key vertical shopping sites in recent months, including Wag.com (Pets) and YoYo.com… Read More…

Seattle companies dominate Consumer Reports ‘Naughty & Nice’ holiday list

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Maybe the “Seattle Nice” stereotype really does hold true. Well, at least when it comes to doing business. Consumer Reports today unveiled its 2011 Naughty & Nice Holiday List, showcasing the best and worst holiday shopping policies of companies. Interestingly, four of the 10 companies on the “nice” list — Amazon.com, Costco, Microsoft and REI —… Read More…

REI’s new Android app brings a whole new definition to outdoor retailing

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Now, you’ll be able to purchase that Gore-Tex parka while getting soaked in the rain in Forks or skiing the slopes at Crystal Mountain. Too bad it just won’t get delivered to you in person. REI today released a new mobile app for Android phones, which among other things allows users to read reviews and… Read More…