Cotopaxi and NEMO Partner with Trove and REI to Bring More Gently Used Outdoor Gear Options to Customers

Brisbane, CA – June 9, 2021 – Cotopaxi and NEMO announced the launch of a new trade-in recommerce program with Trove and REI to give customers more Used Gear options. This collaboration and first-of-its-kind resale program allows Cotopaxi and NEMO to quickly enter the resale market, Trove to further its mission to create a world with less waste through a more circular economy, and REI to continue growing its high-quality used gear assortment. 

REI will sell Cotopaxi’s and NEMO’s preowned merchandise through its existing Used Gear resale site. Through this partnership, Cotopaxi, NEMO and REI will be prolonging the lifecycle of their products, promising customers sustainable design and product integrity, while engaging conscious consumers and driving a more sustainable and circular retail economy.

Customers can trade in their Cotopaxi and NEMO items in exchange for a gift card by mailing in their gently used gear and apparel. The items are sent to Trove, which assesses each product, assigns a condition grade, and cleans and/or repairs the item prior to approving it for photography and placement for sale on REI’s Used Gear site.

“Cotopaxi has always strived to design in ways that reduce waste and contribute to sustainable development,” said Davis Smith, Founder and CEO of Cotopaxi. “Our partnership with Trove and REI will help us to further that commitment, allowing our gear to prove its durability, reenter the marketplace and reduce its impact on the planet.”

“As a small company, NEMO values opportunities to collaborate and accelerate change,” said Cam Brensinger, founder and CEO of NEMO. “To hit the outdoor industry’s 2030 climate goals, we have to find new ways of doing business. With this recommerce pilot, we’re one step closer to a truly circular economy.”

“Consumer demand is growing for secondhand goods and circular shopping models that keep quality products in use for as long as possible,” said Andy Ruben, CEO of Trove. “It’s more important than ever for brands to stay close to their customers and offering them new, relevant ways to engage through trade-in will become standard for leading brands.”

“We believe moving towards a more circular economy is critical for the health of our planet,” said Ken Voeller, REI director of circular economy. “This collaboration allows us to provide customers a wider selection, keep gear in use for as long as possible, and enable more people to get outside.”

All partners worked closely to build out this unique trade-in program to give customers more options. Customers who want to trade in a preowned product can choose whether to use REI’s mail-in trade-in program or go directly through Cotopaxi or NEMO. The value of each product will be the same no matter which option the customer chooses. Customers who initiate trade-ins through REI’s program will receive an REI gift card and those who initiate trade-ins through each brand’s program will receive a gift card for that brand’s website.

ABOUT COTOPAXI

Cotopaxi is an outdoor gear brand and Benefit Corporation founded to alleviate poverty in our lifetime. With five storefronts and a strong ecommerce platform, and employing over 80 staff members, we design, manufacture, and sell packs, apparel, and gear, raising awareness and funds for various humanitarian causes through the Cotopaxi Foundation. In 2020, Cotopaxi gave close to $1 million to alleviate the financial impact of COVID-19 through traceable grants through its eponymous foundation. To help close the gap in human development caused by the pandemic, Cotopaxi has a goal of assisting 1 million people experiencing extreme poverty in 2021. For more information please visit https://www.cotopaxi.com and https://cotopaxi.trovecircular.com/about-trade-in 

ABOUT NEMO

NEMO is a New Hampshire-based outdoor gear design company known for creating award-winning products that are built to last, comfortable and fun to use. Recently recognized by New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility as a small business leader for the environment, the brand has won over 100 major awards for its designs since its founding in 2002. NEMO’s reputation for design innovation across its product lines—tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads accessories, and furniture—is an outgrowth of its design philosophy to never bring anything to market that doesn’t offer a meaningfully better experience. Its team of designers and engineers are motivated by a passion for outdoor adventure and sustainability. For more information on NEMO, please visit https://www.nemoequipment.com/. NEMO will be piloting its trade-in program this summer with a full customer launch in the fall.

ABOUT TROVE

Trove builds technology that allows brands to take control of their resale marketplaces, deepening customer loyalty and generating new profits. The company provides white-label technology and end-to-end operations that power circular shopping for premium and luxury brands such as Levi’s, lululemon, Patagonia, REI, Eileen Fisher and Arc’teryx. Trove enables brands to take back items from customers’ closets while maintaining control of their brand equity and owning their customer experience, data and relationships. Rooted in a commitment to sustainability, Trove aims to create a world where all consumers have access to better products with less waste. https://trove.co/

ABOUT THE REI CO-OP

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 20 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 168 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

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