![]() ![]() Launched in the 1970s as a single store in New Jersey, Bed Bath & Beyond seemed unstoppable even through the Great Recession as it outlived its main rival, Linens 'n Things, and later bought BuyBuy Baby, World Market and online retailer One Kings Lane. In mid-April, its stock price sank to 24 cents. The company began striking last-chance deals to stay afloat, selling more shares, asking landlords for breaks on rent and even having another company pay for its merchandise. ![]() In January, the chain defaulted on some of its loans, prompting those lenders to cut off its credit. But lackluster sales led to waning enthusiasm from creditors in a trickier economic environment. ![]() Late last summer, the company had secured financing to propel it through the holiday shopping season. Suppliers hesitated about sending more stuff to Bed Bath & Beyond, worried they wouldn't get paid. Then came hundreds of store closures, sweeping layoffs and news of the shocking death of the company's financial chief. He shook up corporate leadership and then cashed out of his bet with a tidy profit. Last year, its shares rose and crashed as a meme stock on the news that activist investor Ryan Cohen invested in the company. The strategy exacerbated the industry-wide supply chain crisis, leaving top products like KitchenAid mixers missing from Bed Bath's shelves. But its website has long lagged behind its peers.Ī few roller coaster years finally tipped the retailer into bankruptcy.ĭuring the pandemic, the chain missed out on the historic home-goods shopping boom because it was in the middle of an overhaul that involved replacing big name brands with more profitable private brands. As recently as 2018, the chain had over 1,500 stores. Sales had fallen similarly in the quarter before that, down 32%.īed Bath & Beyond was once a dominant "category killer" that absorbed or outlived many early rivals. The retailer previously cited "lower customer traffic and reduced levels of inventory availability" as it flagged "substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern." A preliminary report for the holiday-season quarter showed sales falling 40% to 50% from a year earlier. Since first warning of a bankruptcy in January, Bed Bath & Beyond has exhausted numerous last-ditch efforts to shore up financing, including store closures, job cuts and several lifelines from banks and investors. "We have initiated a process to wind down operations." "We appreciate that our customers have trusted us through the most important milestones in their lives – from going to college, to getting married, to settling into a new home, to having a baby," the company said in an email to shoppers on Sunday. Gift cards are expected to stay valid through May 8. Starting on Wednesday, April 26, the chain will stop accepting coupons and discounts and sales will be final. The retailer says its 360 Bed Bath & Beyond stores and 120 BuyBuy Baby stores remain open, but will shutter over time. The company, which also owns the BuyBuy Baby chain, has struggled to regain its financial footing after a series of turnaround attempts that proved to be mistimed or ineffective. The once-dominant home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has filed for bankruptcy protection after months of losing shoppers and money. ![]()
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