ASOS vs REI: Tone of Voice Compared
A side-by-side comparison of how ASOS and REI communicate — tone words, language style, sentence structure, and taglines.
In short
ASOS and REI both compete in E-commerce, but they don't sound alike. ASOS sounds inclusive, trendy, young, writing in trendy, inclusive, and youth-focused language, while REI sounds adventurous, community, writing in adventurous language. They share no tone words at all. ASOS's tagline, "Discover Fashion Online", captures its voice; REI answers with "A Life Outdoors Is a Life Well Lived".
Voice comparison
| Dimension | ASOS | REI |
|---|---|---|
| Tone words | Inclusive, Trendy, Young | Adventurous, Community |
| Language style | Trendy, inclusive, and youth-focused | Adventurous |
| Sentence type | Command | Statement |
| Tense | Present | Present |
| Expression | Straightforward | Imaginative |
| Tagline | "Discover Fashion Online" | "A Life Outdoors Is a Life Well Lived" |
What ASOS and REI share
ASOS and REI share no tone words. Both compete in the E-commerce sector.
Where they differ
ASOS leans inclusive, trendy, young. REI leans adventurous, community.
Positioning & strategy
| Dimension | ASOS | REI |
|---|---|---|
| Brand message | Fashion democracy for twenty-somethings | Quality gear and expertise to fuel outdoor adventures |
| Mission | Becoming the world's number-one destination for fashion-loving 20-somethings | Inspire, educate, and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship |
| Core concept | Youth fashion marketplace | Outdoor Living |
| Core tension | Trend vs. Value | Indoor vs. Outdoor |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is ASOS's tone of voice different from REI's?
ASOS uses an inclusive, trendy, young tone with trendy, inclusive, and youth-focused language, while REI uses an adventurous, community tone with adventurous language. They share no tone words.
What is ASOS's tagline and what is REI's tagline?
ASOS's tagline is "Discover Fashion Online". REI's tagline is "A Life Outdoors Is a Life Well Lived".
Do ASOS and REI target the same market?
Yes — both ASOS and REI compete in the E-commerce sector, though ASOS focuses on fashion e-commerce and REI on outdoor retail / co-op.
Is ASOS or REI more figurative in its messaging?
ASOS's messaging is straightforward, while REI's is imaginative.