FREEPORT — Outdoor retailer L.L. Bean of Freeport was recently ranked in the top 10 in the country for the highest corporate reputation among the top 100 most visible companies by the annual Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study. Since 1999, the study has proven to be an important baseline for measuring the reputation strength of the most visible companies in the U.S. as perceived by the general public.

In the study, L.L. Bean was ranked seventh overall and was ranked the highest in the Retail Apparel Category. In addition, L.L. Bean performed in the excellent range on the reputation dimensions of Products and Services, Emotional Appeal, Workplace Environment and Financial Performance and was in the top three in the two categories of Emotional Appeal and Workplace Environment.

McCormick says

“These results speak to the impressive amount of brand affinity we have fostered, as well as the importance we place on our customers, employees, communities and the natural environment,” said L.L. Bean company president and CEO Chris McCormick. “It reflects many years of hard work and commitment from our employees to serve the customer, our communities and support one another as a team. Being listed and recognized as one of the most reputable companies in the country is quite an honor.”

The Reputation Quotient measures consumers’ perception of companies in the areas of:

— Social responsibility

— Vision and leadership

— Financial performance

— Emotional appeal

— Products and services

— Workplace environment

The online survey was completed by more than 27,000 people.