Home / Business and Economy / Bed Bath & Beyond Abandons California Expansion Amid Regulatory Woes
Bed Bath & Beyond Abandons California Expansion Amid Regulatory Woes
20 Aug
Summary
- Bed Bath & Beyond will not open or operate retail stores in California
- Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis cites California's "overregulated, expensive, and risky" business environment
- Company to change corporate name to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and trade under ticker 'BBBY' starting Aug. 29, 2025
In a significant move, Bed Bath & Beyond has announced that it will not be opening or operating any retail stores in the state of California. The decision, made by Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis, is a direct response to what he describes as "one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America."
Lemonis stated that the challenges posed by California's regulatory landscape make it "harder to employ people, harder to keep doors open, and harder to deliver value to customers." This decision, he emphasized, is not politically motivated but rather a pragmatic one based on the realities of doing business in the state.
Separately, the company also revealed that it will be changing its corporate name to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and its common stock will begin trading under the ticker symbol 'BBBY' on the New York Stock Exchange, effective August 29, 2025. This rebranding effort is part of the company's ongoing strategy to adapt to the evolving retail landscape.
