Real Estate Market Research Manager - REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)

REI is seeking a Real Estate Market Research Manager to support REI’s retail store expansion and market planning goals by conducting market and site analyses. The position is responsible for creating and maintaining a prioritized list of target markets, developing site specific sales forecasts, and to support the optimization of the current store portfolio by maintaining a market coverage plan for every market in the U.S. including new locations, relocations, expansions, and closures with the overall goal of optimizing financial performance in each market. Responsibilities include operating mapping software to analyze and illustrate market area demographics, transportation infrastructure, competition, member activity, trade areas and possible sites or target areas. This role is the primary analyst within the Real Estate team and will conduct various analyses using Excel, Tableau, and other software. 

• Develops prioritized REI new market opportunities for retail stores on a national basis.
• In collaboration with the Director of Real Estate, participates in the development and management of REI’s national portfolio and market optimization strategy.
• Identify market nodes or locations within a market based upon traffic patterns, market demographics, competitive analysis, retail activity, growth patterns, redevelopment, market study, and occupancy costs.
• Determine optimal number of REI locations in markets and forecast and review sales scenarios.
• Forecast store sales and cannibalization projections. Identify most salient factors driving the analysis (demographics, sister store competition, location attributes, and competitive presence).
• Provide decision support and recommendations in both written and verbal presentation formats based on general market knowledge, existing and forecasted sales patterns, member activity and competitive information.
• Prepare & present site research for real estate approval process including C-suite quality presentation reports, maps, graphs, and other outputs.
• Provide analysis on optimizing sales and minimizing the impact to existing stores.
• Function as the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert within the company. Stay current with changes in technology and industry best practices.
• Manage REI’s third-party sales forecasting and analytics partner including regular updates and overhauls to the sales forecasting and mapping systems.
• Operate market area demographics, transportation infrastructure, competition, member activity, trade areas and possible sites or target areas.
• Maintain and distribute a database of current stores, active projects, and target growth opportunities. Make the database available in spreadsheet and map formats.
• Execute demographic analyses to support site and market strategy.
• Conduct new store post-opening analyses.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in retail store location analysis, strategies and sales forecasting tools.
• Bachelor’s degree: geography, predictive analytics, location analysis, business or equivalent experience.
• National multi channel retailer/large box market research analysis experience.
• Proven track record demonstrating site selection principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of numerous U.S. DMAs. This includes an ability to speak to a market’s primary economic drivers, significant retail nodes, and population growth areas.
• Demonstrated understanding of GIS software – Map Info knowledge is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct extensive research via the internet and other channels
• Demonstrated software proficiency: MS Office (including: Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Teams), SmartSheet, and Tableau.
• Strong presentation skills, verbal and written communication skills required.
• Independent problem solver with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task and participate within a team environment.

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.  

Pay Transparency 

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.   

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off.  Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.