The lessons from Bed Bath & Beyond's bankruptcy

Author

Stephen Babcock
April 27, 2023

Bed Bath & Beyond was once known as a category killer. But now, it is the home goods retailer that is searching for a lifeline. What went wrong? Industry leaders queried by The Current zeroed in on Bed Bath’s failure to adapt to retail’s digital shift, a private label strategy that didn’t land and mounting competition from a new wave of home goods retailers. In the end, Bed Bath & Beyond was out of step with consumers.

Gap Inc. is set to make a second round of layoffs in a year, this time affecting headquarters and “upper field” roles across brands such as Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Interim CEO Bob Martin said the team has been “dampened by a complicated organizational structure, bureaucracy, and outdated processes.” – CNBC

Combining marketplaces and first-party data, retail media provides a powerful pathway to reach consumers, right in the space where they are shopping. To find success, brands must be ready to navigate continuous change. Download the infographic for the latest data on market size, challenges and innovation opportunities in retail media. – Sponsored by Incremental

A number of brands are experimenting with the metaverse to reach consumers. Here’s a look at how a beauty company is crossing the digital and physical worlds to bring together its own team. Coty Campus will provide a virtual space for training. Built by Spatial, the experience will also offer rewards to employees for engagement. – CGT

The advertising momentum keeps growing at eBay, offering another data point illustrating the rise of retail media. Ad revenue was up 23% in the first quarter, while promoted listings drove 31% growth in first-party products. CEO Jamie Iannone said the marketplace is continuing to make upgrades to relevance and improve its more recently introduced CPC format.

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