This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Dive Insight: Bed Bath & Beyond and The Brand House Collective aren’t waiting for their agreement to close to build up their leadership team. Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman and principal executive officer at Bed Bath & Beyond, called Gomez’s hire “a major addition as we enter 2026” and said she will bring “operational precision.” The merger is a cul ...

Core Insights - Bed Bath & Beyond has entered into a merger agreement to acquire The Brand House Collective, previously known as Kirkland's Inc, valued at $26.8 million [1][2] - The merger will lead to the conversion of approximately 250 Kirkland's stores into Bed Bath & Beyond locations, with some stores set to close [4][5] - The acquisition aims to create a more efficient consumer engagement and is expected to eliminate over $20 million in duplicate costs [2] Company Strategy - The executive chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, Marcus Lemonis, emphasized that the acquisition is a significant step towards building a profitable, growth-oriented company [2] - Early conversions of Bed Bath & Beyond stores have shown double-digit sales growth post-reopening [2] - The company plans to open 300 new stores over the next 24 months, although it will not open any locations in California due to regulatory challenges [6] Market Position - Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and closed all physical stores, but is now attempting a comeback through planned reopenings [7] - The Brand House Collective has identified over 40 underperforming Kirkland's stores for closure in early 2026 [7] - The acquisition of Kirkland's intellectual property for $10 million is expected to facilitate more store conversions [4]

Bed Bath & Beyond should acquire The Brand Collective in 2026, shuttering 40 stores. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Getty ImagesIn a move that signals a further reshaping of the home goods retail landscape, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has agreed to acquire The Brand House Collective in a deal valued at roughly $26.8 million.The all-stock transaction means shareholders of The Brand House Collective will receive 0.1993 shares of Bed Bath & Beyond common stock for each share they own and the deal will formalize ...

Core Insights - U.S. small businesses are significantly impacted by President Trump's tariffs, struggling to cope with increased costs compared to larger retailers [1][3] - The complexity of supply chains for small businesses has escalated, with some reporting a tenfold increase in challenges [1] - Small businesses account for approximately 43% of U.S. GDP, highlighting their importance to the economy [2] Impact on Small Businesses - Small business owners report a decline in top line revenue year-over-year due to tariffs [2] - The current economic climate, exacerbated by tariffs, poses a threat to the livelihoods of small business owners [2] - Many small businesses lack the resources to stockpile inventory, making them more vulnerable to tariff impacts [2]

Group 1 - At Home has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a new financial structure, eliminating nearly all of its $2 billion in funded debt and securing $500 million in exit financing [3][7] - The company is heavily reliant on seasonal sales, with 40% of its net sales coming from holiday and seasonal decor and accessories [3][7] - The new ownership includes funds from Redwood Capital Management, Farallon Capital Management, and Anchorage Capital Advisors, leading to changes in the board of directors [4][7] Group 2 - CEO Brad Weston described the company's new phase as an "exciting new beginning," emphasizing a focus on becoming more relevant and connected to customers [4][7] - The company currently operates 229 stores across 39 states, down from 260 at the time of its bankruptcy filing [7] - The challenges faced by At Home include tariffs impacting most of its merchandise and ongoing consumer uncertainty regarding discretionary spending [3][7]

Core Insights - Affirm is enhancing its partnership with Wayfair by integrating its buy now, pay later (BNPL) option into Wayfair's checkout process, aiming to improve customer experience during peak shopping periods [1][2][3] Partnership Expansion - The partnership is being expanded ahead of Wayfair's "Way Day" sales event from October 26 to 29 and the upcoming holiday shopping season, with the initial collaboration dating back to 2017 [2] - Affirm's BNPL solution will now be available for consumers at checkout for various brands under Wayfair, including Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, and Perigold [3] Consumer Benefits - Affirm allows consumers to split purchases into biweekly or monthly payments, with terms extending up to 36 months and rates starting at 0% APR, making it an attractive option for shoppers [5] - The integration of BNPL options is seen as a natural progression to meet the needs of Wayfair shoppers, who value flexible payment solutions [3][4] Market Trends - Research indicates that rising tariffs and inflation have led consumers to seek flexible payment plans, which has helped maintain demand in the retail sector [6] - The trend of early holiday shopping is also noted as consumers aim to budget more effectively amid economic pressures [6] Competitive Landscape - Affirm is not the only player in the BNPL space; competitors like Sezzle are also promoting their payment options to capture demand during the holiday season [7] - The popularity of BNPL services is growing, particularly for larger purchases such as furniture and home décor, with increasing usage both online and in physical stores [7]

Group 1: Robinhood Performance - Robinhood shares surged over 12% to an all-time high, driven by CEO Vlad Tenev's announcement of surpassing 4 billion event contracts traded on its prediction markets [4][9] - Analysts from Piper Sandler cited the growth in prediction markets as a reason for raising their price target on Robinhood's stock [4] Group 2: Market Overview - Major U.S. equities indexes experienced modest gains, with the S&P 500 advancing 0.3%, the Dow increasing by 0.2%, and the Nasdaq rising by 0.5% [3] - The overall market sentiment was influenced by the potential implications of a government shutdown later in the week [3] Group 3: Other Notable Stock Movements - Shares of Western Digital rose by 9.2% following price target increases from Morgan Stanley and Rosenblatt Securities, attributed to growing demand for hard drives in support of artificial intelligence [5] - Coinbase Global's shares gained 6.8% as the price of Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies increased, with regulatory clarity around crypto being advocated by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce [6] - AppLovin's shares jumped 6.3% to a record high after Morgan Stanley raised its price target, highlighting the upcoming launch of Axon Ads Manager [7] Group 4: Negative Stock Movements - Shares of Vistra fell by 4.5% after announcing a power supply agreement for its Comanche Peak nuclear facility, raising concerns due to a lack of information about the buyer [11] - Carnival's shares dropped 4% despite reporting strong bookings, as the company issued a lower-than-expected forecast for net yields [12] - Williams-Sonoma's shares sank 4.7% following President Trump's announcement of potential tariffs on imported furniture, negatively impacting businesses reliant on imports [10]

Company Overview - The company is a $12 billion retailer of home goods operating in four countries: the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland [1] - The product categories include furniture and decor, housewares, and home improvement, including large appliances [1] - The total addressable market (TAM) in the four countries exceeds $0.5 trillion, indicating a large and fragmented market [1] Competitive Landscape - The company competes with a long list of competitors, with the scale of operations being a significant factor in its competitive positioning [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue of $12 billion, operating in four countries: the U.S., Canada, UK, and Ireland [2] - The total addressable market (TAM) for home goods in these countries exceeds $500 billion, indicating significant growth potential [2][7] - The company aims to achieve a 10% adjusted EBITDA margin, having reached 6% in the last quarter [50] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates multiple brands, including Wayfair as the mass platform, and specialty brands like AllModern, Birch Lane, and Joss & Main, which cater to different market segments [6][28] - The logistics network has been a significant investment, with a focus on heavy and bulky items, differentiating the company from general e-commerce players [12][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The home goods category is described as cyclical, with current market conditions being relatively flat after a decline [9][10] - The company believes it can gain market share even in a down market due to its unique business model and extensive logistics capabilities [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on becoming the go-to destination for all home goods, leveraging technology, logistics, and a deep supplier network [5][7] - Plans for physical retail expansion include opening stores in Chicago, Atlanta, and New York, capitalizing on existing logistics and brand recognition [41][45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the challenges in the current consumer discretionary market but remains optimistic about gaining market share [9][10] - The company is excited about growth opportunities in Canada and the UK, while not planning to expand further into Europe [48] Other Important Information - The company has shifted its capital expenditures towards maintenance of existing facilities rather than expanding the logistics network [15] - Supplier advertising is growing, contributing approximately 1.5% of revenue, with expectations to reach 3-4% in the long term [21][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company view the current category and its market share? - The company sees the home goods category as cyclical but believes it can gain share in both up and down markets due to its unique model and execution [9][10] Question: What investments have been made in the logistics network? - The company has built an expansive logistics capability tailored to heavy and bulky items, which is a competitive differentiator [12][11] Question: How does the company balance pricing and promotions? - Promotions are primarily funded by suppliers, and the company focuses on optimizing gross profit dollars while managing pricing strategies [18][19] Question: What is the strategy for physical retail expansion? - The company has learned from its Chicago store and plans to open additional locations in Atlanta and New York, leveraging existing infrastructure [41][45] Question: What is the current international strategy? - After closing the German operation, the company is focusing on growth in Canada and the UK, with no plans for further European expansion [46][48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue of $12 billion, operating in four countries: the U.S., Canada, UK, and Ireland [2] - The total addressable market (TAM) for home goods in these countries exceeds $500 billion, indicating significant growth potential [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has developed a proprietary logistics network of approximately 25 million square feet, which includes fulfillment centers and transportation terminals [4] - The logistics capabilities are tailored for heavier, bulkier items, which differentiates the company from general e-commerce players focused on lighter packages [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The home goods category is described as cyclical, with current market conditions being relatively flat after a decline [10] - The company believes it can gain market share even in a down market due to its unique model and execution [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be the go-to destination for all home goods, leveraging its technology, supplier network, and logistics capabilities [5][7] - The strategy includes expanding its brand portfolio with specialty retail brands and a luxury platform, while also exploring brick-and-mortar stores [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the cyclical nature of the home goods market but remains optimistic about gaining market share [10][11] - The company is focused on maintaining operational efficiency while pursuing growth, targeting a 10% adjusted EBITDA margin in the future [47] Other Important Information - The company has closed its German operations to focus on more promising markets like Canada and the UK [44][45] - The company plans to open new physical retail locations in Atlanta and New York, building on the success of its Chicago store [42][40] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company view the current category and its market share? - The company sees the home goods category as cyclical but believes it can gain share in both down and up markets due to its execution and model [10][11] Question: What investments have been made in the logistics network? - The company has built an expansive logistics capability since 2015, focusing on the unique needs of heavier, bulkier items [12][13] Question: How does the company balance pricing and promotions? - Promotions are primarily funded by suppliers, and the company aims to optimize pricing to grow gross profit dollars while maintaining margins [19][20] Question: What is the strategy for supplier advertising? - Supplier advertising has grown from 1% to 1.5% of revenue, with expectations for continued growth as the company improves its advertising tools [21][22] Question: How does the company align its various brands? - The company ensures that its brands do not compete directly with each other, leveraging its logistics and technology to provide a unique shopping experience [26][28] Question: What are the learnings from the Chicago store? - The Chicago store has been successful, creating a positive halo effect in the region, and the company plans to apply these learnings to future store openings [40][41] Question: What is the current international strategy? - The company is focusing on Canada, the UK, and Ireland, with no plans to expand further into Europe after closing its German operations [44][45]