REI appoints a new e-commerce manager

Recreational Equipment Inc. has appointed Brad Brown as vice president of e-commerce and web strategies. Brown had been REI’s vice president of information services since 1998. Prior to joining REI, Brown acquired more than 20 years of retailing experience with Bon Marché, Pay ‘n Save, Egghead Software and QFC.

As part of his new duties, Brown will lead the development of the next generation of REI.com as the site approaches its 10-year anniversary. “We will discover better ways for customers to access information about gear and how they can do more cycling, hiking, climbing, camping and kayaking,” Brown said. “I want REI.com to be the place that people think of first when they think of the outdoors.”

REI.com was launched in September 1996 and today the site offers 45,000 products and thousands of pages of information about gear and outdoor activities.

REI, No. 74 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide to Retail Web Sites, is adding several new components to its web strategy, including a real simple syndication program for REI-OUTLET.com.