Nau (clothing retailer)
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| Nau | |
| Industry | Clothing, Accessories, Sustainable clothing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Eric Reynolds, Chris van Dyke, Mark Galbraith, Jil Zilligen, and Ian Yolles |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Jun Kang (President) DH Lee (VP) Mark Galbraith (GM) Greg Keeling Allison Ross Nick Lawrence Brent Damkroger Kyle Duford |
| Products | Jackets, Hard Shells, Soft Shells, Shirts, Pants, Dresses, Shorts, Skirts, Sunglasses |
Number of employees | 20 |
| Parent | Black Yak |
| Website | www |
Nau is an apparel brand established in 2007 by Eric Reynolds, the founder of Marmot, and operates out of Portland, Oregon, United States.
Sustainability
Nau’s operational approach centers on utilizing fabrics crafted from environmentally responsible technical fibers that comply with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The company incorporates ethically sourced Merino wool and other natural fibers into its collections, alongside innovative materials such as recycled polyester, Tencel, Cocona synthetic down, and responsibly obtained goose down. Employees benefit from complimentary access to public transportation, while the firm offsets carbon emissions linked to corporate travel and product deliveries directly to customers. In recognition of its workplace environment, Nau was honored as one of Outside magazine’s Best Companies to Work For in 2010.
Partners for Change program
At the heart of Nau's business strategy is the commitment to allocate 2% of every purchase to designated community organizations through its "Partners for Change" initiative. After completing their transaction, customers select which partner group will receive the contribution. By 2014, these beneficiary organizations included People for Bikes, Ashoka, Breakthrough Institute, Mercy Corps, and EcoTrust. Notably, Nau channels the entirety of these donated funds directly to the chosen nonprofits.
Ownership
Nau established multiple retail locations throughout the United States, including cities such as Portland, San Francisco, and Chicago. However, on May 2, 2008, the company announced it would halt operations, largely due to challenges in securing additional funding. Later that year, Horny Toad, Inc. acquired Nau and resumed its commercial activities in October.
In October 2013, ownership of the Nau brand transferred from Horny Toad to South Korea-based Black Yak for an undisclosed sum. Black Yak intended to expand the brand's presence via e-commerce platforms, wholesale distribution, and eventually through dedicated retail outlets.