REI Co-op Names Former Foot Locker Exec as Chief Commercial Officer

Core Insights - REI Co-op has appointed Kim Waldmann as the new chief commercial officer, effective March 9, to enhance its commercial ecosystem across stores, e-commerce, and operations [1] - Waldmann's experience includes her role as global chief customer officer at Foot Locker, where she led customer experience transformation [2] - She previously served as chief marketing and digital officer at Athleta, focusing on digital acceleration and customer growth [3] Group 1 - Waldmann is expected to unite key elements of REI's commercial ecosystem to better serve member-owners and customers [1] - The appointment is seen as pivotal for REI and the outdoor industry, emphasizing the company's market leadership and member-first approach [4] - Waldmann's leadership is anticipated to help REI evolve while maintaining its distinctive qualities [2] Group 2 - The new chief commercial officer brings a strong member-first mindset and deep commercial expertise to REI [2] - Waldmann's previous roles at Foot Locker and Athleta highlight her capability in connecting strategy and execution across various channels [2][3] - Her vision includes elevating the member experience and inviting more consumers to engage with the outdoors [4]