“ According to recent statements by Marcus Lemonis, Executive Chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, the company will not be opening or operating new retail stores in California. This decision is based on the company's assessment that California presents an "overregulated, expensive, and risky" environment for businesses, making it difficult to operate profitably and deliver value to customers.
Specifically, Lemonis cites concerns over:
Higher taxes and fees
Higher wages
Endless regulations that hinder growth
Instead of opening physical stores, Bed Bath & Beyond will focus on a "California strategy" centered on online sales and efficient delivery, offering 24- to 48-hour delivery, and in some cases, same-day service, according to Lemonis. Lemonis emphasized that this online-focused approach will allow Californians to access Bed Bath & Beyond products without the inflated costs associated with what he described as an unsustainable brick-and-mortar model in the state.
This decision comes as Bed Bath & Beyond is re-emerging after its bankruptcy filing in 2023, and while they plan to open around 300 stores across the country, California will not be part of this expansion, according to Lemonis. “