REI Co-op has appointed former Bed Bath & Beyond executive Mary-Farrell Tarbox vice president, physical stores and retail operations.
Tarbox will provide strategic leadership for REI’s almost 180 physical stores and the retail operations team, which accounts for more than three-quarters of the company’s 16,000-plus employee base, the outdoor specialist noted. Her responsibilities include advancing the co-op’s goals for its retail organization including enhancing the employee experience, customer service and culture of continuous improvement.
Tarbox was most recently a Bed, Bath and Beyond regional vice president overseeing 370 stores. She has also held senior leadership roles in retail and human resources at Crate & Barrel, Petsmart and Target Corp.
“Mary-Farrell is a proven leader in omnichannel operations. Her more than 30 years of leading successful teams across multiple retail environments made her a clear choice,” says Cameron Janes, REI Co-op chief commercial officer. “As REI’s retail presence expands across the nation, she will have a key role in helping the co-op achieve our aspiration to serve a 50-million-member community.”
