Bed Bath & Beyond Changes, Closures: Can MD's 19 Stores Survive?

MARYLAND — Bed Bath & Beyond, the popular home accessories store with 19 locations in Maryland, has a few changes coming to some of its stores before Christmas, while underperforming locations might close or be relocated in the near future.

The news came in a letter to shareholders from the interim CEO Mary A. Winston and the chairman of the board of directors, Patrick R. Gaston.

In the letter, the company executives said a rapid refresh of 160 Bed Bath & Beyond locations is underway and is expected to be finished before the 2019 holiday season. It's not known which locations will see this changed look but the improvements will be clearly visible and will improve the shopping experience, the letter says.

In the spring the company said about 40 stores will close this year while 15 "lab" stores offering more home decor and food products will open. It's unclear if the number of stores facing closure has changed. Based in New Jersey, the company also operates Buy Buy Baby and World Market.

Below are the 19 Bed Bath & Beyond locations in Maryland:

• Annapolis
• Bel Air
• California
• Capitol Heights
• Columbia
• Frederick
• Gaithersburg
• Gambrills
• Germantown
• Hagerstown
• Hanover
• Ocean City
• Owings Mills
• Rockville
• Salisbury
• Towson
• Waldorf
• Westminster
• White Marsh

The company will also shed itself of up to $1 billion in inventory over the next 18 months, the letter says. Any excess or aged inventory is expected to be taken off store shelves before the 2019 holiday season.

The expected store closures or relocations will happen over the next couple of years. More details on the company's future are expected on the next earnings call in October.

"As we continue to work toward executing on our business transformation, we remain confident in the strength of our brand and the future of Bed Bath & Beyond," the executives said in the letter. "Our focus on putting the customer at the center of our transformation, supported by data and insights, is intended to restore Bed Bath & Beyond to its iconic status and improve the Company's competitive position.

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