Episode 188: Why REI Is Committed To Developing Its Minority-Led Partners

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!Special guests Susan Vison, VP and executive director of REI’s Path Ahead Ventures, and Ed Chang, co-founder of Varlo, join Robin and Shelley to discuss how big companies can help elevate and support underrepresented BIPOC brand owners.An estimated one percent of founders in the outdoor industry identifies as a person of color, despite over 30 percent of outdoor participants identifying as such. REI is addressing that gap with its Path Ahead Ventures launched in 2021 to focus on providing support and solidarity to outdoor businesses that are BIPOC owned and led.REI is making a difference as a leader in supporting outdoor businesses that are owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs. For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.