REI optimizes app experience

Outdoor enthusiasts have been given a host of new capabilities on REI’s newest mobile app – including the ability to check snow conditions at popular ski destinations.



The recently introduced iPad app offers an optimized shopping and product research experience and gives users access to a broad and inspiring product selection of the top brands in camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, skiing, fitness and more. In addition to a store locator tool and product availability engine for those who prefer to buy at their nearest REI, iPad users will experience product imagery with more detail than ever before with the use of pinch-and-zoom and other native functionality.



“The best outdoor experiences take planning and that work often begins online,” said Brad Brown, REI’s SVP of digital retail. “Whether you’re scheming about a fall hike or getting ready for a season on the slopes, our apps deliver the information you want, when you most need it.”



According to the company, 75% of those who buy in REI stores also visited an REI digital property as part of their research and purchase decision.



One of the coolest features of the new app is an improved REI Snow Report feature that helps skiers and snowboarders know the details about their favorite slopes before heading to the mountain. Designed to leverage national and international resort feeds, users identify favorite locations and choose from intuitive alerts, such as new snow, weather forecasts and snow depth. Push notifications present engaging content, while trip planning with friends is easy through the social media sharing feature, according to the company.