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The closing of Bed Bath and Beyond was the end of an era for many of us. However, you may be happy to hear that there’s an all-new iteration of Bed Bath and Beyond, and it’s bigger and better than before.
In this post, we’ll talk about where to shop this iconic retailer, what has changed, and what has stayed the same.
What Happened To Bed Bath and Beyond?
At the time I’m writing this, all physical locations of Bed Bath and Beyond and Buy Buy Baby have been closed. And while the writing has been on the wall for this beloved retailer for quite some time, something new happened that no one predicted.
Overstock and Bed Bath and Beyond merged! Not only, did they merge, but they’ve shaken things up in an unexpected way.
The expansive Overstock catalog of products has now been moved to Bed Bath and Beyond and Overstock has dropped its name completely.
In fact, if you go to overstock.com you’ll be immediately redirected to bedbathandbeyond.com.
The Best of Both Worlds
The marriage between these two companies makes perfect sense. Each is bringing something to the table that the other lacks.
Bed Bath and Beyond was struggling with its catalog and identity. In the end, they were selling everything from curtains to candy to hair tools and As Seen on TV gimmicks.
The name and aesthetic, on the other hand, were strong. Everyone was still fawning over the golden years of Bed Bath and Beyond when they were a fresh, new version of JCPenney or Macy’s but without the clothes.
It was the name and the memory that kept bringing back the old shoppers. Unfortunately, we always ended up being disappointed once we walked into the store and saw the selection. Worse, saw the prices that went along with the terrible selection.
No amount of 20% off coupon codes could save them when pitted up against the likes of Target, Wayfair, and Amazon.
Overstock, on the other hand, had all the right products at the right prices, but it couldn’t shake the reputation of being a store filled with leftover products that other people didn’t want.
The name itself implied that someone has overstocked or rather overestimated the demand for certain products. And now they’re discounted just to get rid of them.
Despite a full-blown marketing campaign called “See For Yourself” trying to debunk these assumptions.
However, with the cachet of the Bed Bath and Beyond name, Overstock may be able to position itself as a true competitor for Wayfair.
That being said, there’s 1 critical distinction that still exists between the two that makes all the difference, in my opinion.
But, we’ll get into that in a minute.
The New Bed Bath and Beyond
The new website has a beautiful, clean, aesthetic and is filled with an exhaustive selection of everything from furniture to rugs and decor.
It is also following the marketplace model like many major retailers these days. This means that they allow third-party sellers to make sales through their website for commission.
Doing this attracts new brands and new product options for its customers.
Lots of other retailers use this model, like Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair.
Bed Bath and Beyond vs Wayfair
There’s no doubt Bed Bath and Beyond can survive in its new and improved online form.
Many popular retailers have closed down their physical stores and moved on to virtual storefronts like Payless, Pier1, and Stein Mart.
The real question is, can it compete with the likes of Wayfair, HomeGoods, and At Home?
It now has the expansive product catalog it needs, popular home decor brands, and competitive prices.
In addition, it is preserving the Overstock Club O rewards program which my friend Katt from lanidoesit.com says is one of the best around. It’s just being renamed to the “Welcome Rewards” loyalty program.
What they don’t have, that Wayfair, At Home, Target, and Walmart do are influencer collaborations and collections.
Bed Bath and Beyond Influencer Collaborations
Before the merger, Overstock was running in the right direction by introducing 17 exclusive furniture brands.
Unfortunately, I’ve never heard anyone talk about any of these brands. And that’s a bigger problem that I think Overstock realized.
Traditional commercials are dead. Let’s face it, if you’re 45 or under you probably don’t have cable television, a house phone, or listen to the radio.
If your ad is not on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, or Pinterest, I’m not seeing it.
If your product or brand has not been endorsed by someone whose style I love and whose opinion I trust, i’m probably not buying it.
I’ll visit Target just to see what’s new from Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, Opalhouse with Jungalow, or Threshold with Studio McGee.
I’ll browse around Walmart to see what just released from The Home Edit, or Better Homes and Gardens, or The Pioneer Woman.
And, I will most certainly visit Wayfair just to see the latest Kelly Clarkson Home line.
Even At Home has curated collections from the likes of Laila Ali, Tracey Boyd, and Ty Pennington.
If you’re reading this, Bed Bath and Beyond (aka Overstock in a trenchcoat and sunglasses), create more exclusive brands for home decor and collaborate with an influencer/celebrity to create a curated collection.
That’s what you’re missing. People will keep returning to the site each season to see what their favorite celeb/influencer has released.
Exclusive furniture brands won’t do it. Furniture is expensive and no one wants to test the quality of a brand for $500.
Instead, go for home decor. The price point is lower and more fish will bite with that bait.
Conclusion
Bed Bath and Beyond has all the makings of an incredible comeback. With the product catalog, prices, and loyalty program Overstock was known for now packaged up inside of a brand name we’re all fond of, they can’t miss.
All they need is a few celebrity collabs to send them on the rise.
Here are a few more posts you may like:
- The Best of Better Homes and Gardens
- 11 Favorites From Kelly Clarkson Home
- 7 Affordable Home Decor Brands You Need To Know
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What do you think?