Kevin JohnsonBed Bath & Beyond is an American retailer headquartered in Union, New Jersey, offering housewares, furniture, and specialty items. Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein opened a Bed ‘n Bath store in Springfield, New Jersey, in 1971. The retailer rebranded to Bed Bath & Beyond in 1987 to reflect its growing inventory. In Jun 1992, Bed Bath & Beyond went public via IPO on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
The company expanded to become a Fortune 500 big-box retail chain with 1,530 stores. Then, it started to decline in 2019. Bed Bath & Beyond sold its subsidiaries and closed over 200 stores between 2020 and 2022.
In Apr 2023, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The retailer auctioned its leases to wind down its store footprint. In Jun 2023, Overstock.com acquired Bed Bath & Beyond’s brand name, intellectual property, and e-commerce site for $21.5 million. [1]
Bed Bath & Beyond is an iconic brand and a household name in North America. The retailer offers housewares, furniture, and specialty items, including bedding, pillows, mats, and rugs. After closing the acquisition deal, Overstock morphed its website and app with Bed Bath & Beyond. In August 2023, Overstock.com was relaunched as BedBathandBeyond.com.
The move consolidates the merchandise categories of both brands into one platform. Overstock added over 600,000 new products to the BedBathandBeyond.com site. Although Bed Bath & Beyond is now an online-only retailer, it faces stiff competition from old rivals like Pottery Barn, HomeGoods, Dormify, Wayfair, Macy’s, and West Elm. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of Bed Bath & Beyond’s top competitors and alternatives:
1. Pottery Barn
Year founded: 1949
Headquarter: San Francisco, California
Pottery Barn, a store chain specializing in upscale home furnishing, is owned by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. The retailer offers furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, window treatments, tabletop, lighting, and decorative accessories. In 2023, Pottery Barn operated around 200 stores.
Pottery Barn is a premier specialty retailer offering stylish home furnishings through physical stores and e-commerce platforms.
In Nov 2023, the company launched a new mobile iOS shopping app to improve the customer shopping experience. It also helps users create and manage a registry on the go. College students can use the Pottery Barn Teen iOS app to shop for dorm items similar to Bed Bath & Beyond. Pottery Barn is the top Bed Bath & Beyond competitor and alternative. [3]
2. HomeGoods
Year founded: 1992
Headquarter: Framingham, Massachusetts
HomeGoods is a home furnishing chain store. It is owned by TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Sierra. As of Oct 2023, HomeGoods operated around 900 stores.
HomeGoods offers kitchen gear, rugs, bedding, furniture, and home decor accessories. In Oct 2023, the chain shut down online shopping on HomeGoods.com two years after launching the service.
The move allows HomeGoods to focus on expanding its 900 brick-and-mortar stores. Customers can still access decor inspiration and home trends on the site. As a TJX brand, HomeGoods has enough resources to compete against Bed Bath & Beyond. [4]
3. Dormify
Year founded: 2011
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Dormify is a dorm décor brand. The company offers college-centric products, including bath sets, bedding, care packages, and décor accessories. As of Aug 2023, Dormify worked with around 1,700 ambassadors to ensure up-to-date on the latest trends.
Dormify was overshadowed by Bed Bath & Beyond – once the go-to destination for dorm goods. The retailer now has a unique opportunity to dominate the dorm décor space. In the summer of 2023, Dormify expanded its partnership with The Container Store to sell its college-centric products. The brand uses Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok to engage its target consumers. #dormify has been viewed 45.9 million times on TikTok. Dormify is the best alternative to BedBathandBeyond.com for dorm products. [5]
4. Wayfair Inc.
Year founded: 2002
Headquarter: Boston, Massachusetts
Wayfair is an e-commerce company offering furniture and home goods. It owns and operates six online shopping sites – Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional. In 2023, Wayfair had over 15,000 employees.
Wayfair owns valuable home brands that cater to different consumer segments. Wayfair.com for essential home goods, Joss & Main for stylish edits, AllModern for ultra-modern items, Birch Lane for the classics, Perigold for luxury designs, and Wayfair Professional for home décor pros. As of Sep 2023, Wayfair had 22.3 million active customers. Wayfair is one of the best alternatives to BedBathandBeyond.com. [6]
5. Macy’s
Year founded: 1858
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Macy’s is a department store chain offering high-quality brands at great value. Customers can access furniture, bedding, kitchen appliances, and home décor accessories at Bed Bath & Beyond-level prices. In Dec 2023, Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management offered to buy Macy’s for $5.8 billion. [7]
Macy’s integrated retail business combines e-commerce with physical stores to streamline the shopping experience. In Oct 2023, the chain announced an accelerated expansion strategy to triple its small-format outlets by fall 2025. The company operates 15 small-format stores and plans to open 30 more in 2024. Macy’s is one of the top competitors for Bed Bath & Beyond. [8]
6. West Elm
Year founded: 2002
Headquarter: Brooklyn, New York
West Elm is a global design company owned by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. The brand is focused on transforming living spaces through creativity and style. As of Jul 2023, West Elm’s home goods were sold online and in over 100 stores globally.
West Elm creates original, modern, and affordable home décor. In Jul 2023, the company launched a new collaboration with interior stylist Colin King. The 41-piece collection includes furniture, lighting, textiles, and decorative accessories. West Elm is one of the top competitors for BedBathandBeyond.com. [9]
7. Walmart
Year founded: 1962
Headquarter: Bentonville, Arkansas
Walmart, a multinational retail corporation, is the world’s largest retailer. The chain has an extensive furniture and home furnishings department, offering in-house and global brands. In 2024, Walmart had over 2 million employees and operated over 10,500 stores worldwide.
Walmart has been building its home assortment for years. The retailer collaborated with Sofia Vergara, Drew Barrymore, and Gap to create exclusive collections. In Nov 2023, Walmart opened 117 upgraded stores across 30 US states. Walmart is a formidable competitor for Bed Bath & Beyond. [10]
8. Target Corporation
Year founded: 1902
Headquarter: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Target is one of America’s largest retail chains. The corporation sells general merchandise, including housewares, furniture, and specialty items similar to Bed Bath & Beyond. In Dec 2023, Target had over 440,000 employees and operated 1,948 stores.
Target sells home furnishings and other products through its discount chain, hypermarkets, and target.com. In 2023, Target closed underperforming outlets and opened 21 stores across the US. The company’s retail network is crucial because over 90% of its online orders are picked and packed in-store. Target is a formidable competitor for Bed Bath & Beyond. [11]
9. Kohl’s
Year founded: 1962
Headquarter: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Kohl’s is one of America’s largest department chains, with 1,170 stores. In Q3 2023, Kohl’s home department outpaced the company’s overall performance. The company recently expanded its home goods and décor categories, including wall art, glassware, ceramics, barware, and lighting. [12]
Kohl’s sells products through physical stores and online channels. However, the retailer is changing its strategy. The chain’s new approach includes shifting its focus to brick-and-mortar stores and pursuing more name brands. In 2023, the retailer is introducing more name brands, and revamping existing ones. These efforts can help Kohl’s poach customers from Bed Bath & Beyond. [13]
10. BJ’s Wholesale Club
Year founded: 1984
Headquarter: Marlborough, Massachusetts
BJ’s is a membership-only warehouse club chain. The company sells grocery and general merchandise, including indoor and outdoor furniture and household supplies. As of Nov 2023, BJ’s operated 239 warehouse clubs in 20 states.
BJ’s is the go-to destination for bulk buyers. Members pay an annual fee to shop at BJ’s warehouses. In 2023, BJ adopted robots in its locations to lower labor costs and increase profit margins. The wholesaler had deployed autonomous AI-powered robots in all its 239 clubs by Nov 2023. BJ’s is the best alternative to Bed Bath & Beyond for bulk shoppers. [14]
References & more information
- Knauth, D. (2023, Jun 28). US judge approves Overstock’s $21.5 million Bed Bath & Beyond purchase. Reuters
- Kavilanz, P. (2023, Aug 1). Bed Bath & Beyond is back from the dead. CNN
- Pottery Barn (2023, Nov 14). Pottery Barn launches a mobile app featuring a new shopping and design experience. Business Wire
- Gautieri, A. (2023, Oct 19). The Real Reason HomeGoods Is Shutting Down Online Shopping After This Week. Good Housekeeping
- Ruben, H. (2023, Aug 15). How Dormify remains relevant with Gen Z this back-to-school season. Retail Dive
- Wayfair, LLC (2023, Nov 1). Wayfair Announces Third Quarter 2023 Results, Reports Positive Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth. PRNewswire
- Fonrouge, G. (2023, Dec 10). Macy’s shares surged 21% after it received a $5.8 billion buyout offer. CNBC
- Macy’s, Inc. (2023, Oct 3). Macy’s Unveils Plan to Open up to 30 Small-Format Stores. MacysInc.com
- Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (2023, Jul 31). West Elm launches collaboration with interior stylist Colin King. Williams-SonomaInc.com
- Grothaus, M. (2023, Nov 2). Walmart is opening 117 upgraded stores. Here’s the list and map of redesigned locations. Fast Company
- Repko, M. (2023, Nov 13). As Target shutters some stores, the retailer looks to prove it can grow and avoid new setbacks. CNBC
- Marks, J. (2023, Nov 21). Expansion of home décor categories pays off for Kohl’s. Home Textiles Today
- Howland, D. (2023, Nov 21). Kohl’s CEO shifts focus back to stores: The digital business is bringing us down. Retail Dive
- PYMNTS (2023, Nov 17). BJ’s Wholesale Club Taps Robots to Boost Curbside Fulfillment Efficiency. PYMNTS
- Walmart (2024, Feb 29). Walmart Location Facts.
- Featured Image by Christopher Jolly.
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Ava Abbott
Brianna Parker
Definitely a must-read for anyone looking for alternatives in this space!