{"id":15819,"date":"2025-08-25T07:14:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T07:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/the-weekly-closeout-bed-bath-beyond-battles-california-and-guess-to-go-private\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T07:14:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T07:14:08","slug":"the-weekly-closeout-bed-bath-beyond-battles-california-and-guess-to-go-private","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/the-weekly-closeout-bed-bath-beyond-battles-california-and-guess-to-go-private\/","title":{"rendered":"The Weekly Closeout: Bed Bath &#038; Beyond battles California and Guess to go private"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/online-workshops-list\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-496\" src=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\" alt=\"Retail Online Training\" width=\"729\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png 729w, https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/a><\/p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech\">\n    <button class=\"text-to-speech__button button\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"text-to-speech__button__icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.retaildive.com\/static\/img\/play.svg?500116090725\" alt=\"\"\/><br \/>\n        Listen to the article<br \/>\n        <span class=\"text-to-speech__button__audio-length\">7 min<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls\">\n        <audio controls=\"\" class=\"js-text-to-speech\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dmgi9movl\/video\/upload\/q_1\/v1755879826\/news\/text_to_speech\/bed-bath-beyond-battles-california-guess-goes-private-authentic_oozzbo.wav\" type=\"audio\/mp3\"><\/source><\/audio><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls__text\">\n            This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback.\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we\u2019re still thinking about.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>From Chipotle partnering with Urban Outfitters to consumers feeling pressure during the back-to-school season, here\u2019s our closeout for the week.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><span><span>What you may have missed <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span><span><span><span><span>Bed Bath &amp; Beyond battles California <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Beyond Inc. (now <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Bed Bath &amp; Beyond<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>) has picked a fight with the state of California \u2014 also known as the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>world\u2019s fourth-largest<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cWe will not open or operate retail stores in California,\u201d the company\u2019s Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>said in a statement<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Wednesday. \u201cInstead, we are investing in a California strategy that works: 24\u201348-hour delivery, and in many cases, same-day service. Californians will continue to get the products they love through BedBathandBeyond.com \u2014 but without the inflated costs created by an unsustainable model.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Lemonis believes California is overregulated, expensive and has a risky business environment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The executive <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>received a sharp response<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> on the social platform X (formerly Twitter) from the press office of California Governor Gavin Newsom.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cAfter their bankruptcy and closure of every store, like most Americans, we thought Bed, Bath &amp; Beyond no longer existed,\u201d the post said. \u201cWe wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again as they try to open a 2nd store.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The company opened its <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>first retail store since bankruptcy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> in August through a complex deal with home retailer Kirkland\u2019s (now The Brand House Collective).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>Milk Makeup parent company announces strategic review<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Waldencast, parent company to Milk Makeup and Obagi Medical, announced Monday that it was undergoing a strategic review. The company also <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>postponed reporting its H1 earnings<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> and conference call and lowered its outlook, but is working to file its H1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within regulatory deadlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Co-founder and CEO Michel Brousset said the company and board have received a \u201cgrowing number of opportunities.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cWe believe the actions we are taking will set us up to strengthen our foundation for delivering our long-term ambitions and accelerated future growth and profitability,\u201d Brousset said in a statement.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>Authentic acquires majority stake in Guess <\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Authentic Brands Group announced it is acquiring a <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>majority stake in the intellectual property<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> of fashion company Guess, which will go private, according to a Wednesday press release. The deal is for around $1.4 billion and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Guess\u2019s 2026 fiscal year, according to documents filed with the SEC.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Under the agreement, Authentic will own a 51% stake in a newly formed entity that will own and license nearly all Guess IP and will assume the majority of the company\u2019s product licensing agreements. The remaining 49% of the entity will be owned by co-founders Maurice Marciano and Paul Marciano, Nicolai Marciano and Guess CEO Carlos Alberini.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Authentic will leverage the IP by launching into new categories and territories, per the release. Guess will become Authentic\u2019s second-largest brand in its portfolio.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><span><span>Retail therapy <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>Sports and burgers, please!\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Two Texas-based companies, Academy Sports and Outdoors and Whataburger, have partnered on a limited-time <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>collection that celebrates tailgate season.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"image-right inside_story\">\n<div class=\"figure_content\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" data-imagemodel=\"-1\" src=\"https:\/\/imgproxy.divecdn.com\/qd3UPFJTf9wmwFDatOCwJVxz7fdYa7PjhXv-oma64RA\/raw:1\/Z3M6Ly9kaXZlc2l0ZS1zdG9yYWdlL2RpdmVpbWFnZS9TY3JlZW5zaG90XzIwMjUtMDgtMjJfMDk1MDE2LnBuZw==\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inside_story_caption\">\n<p>Image courtesy of Academy Sports and Outdoors and Whataburger\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Items include a co-branded Hey Dude shoe alongside jerseys, hats, shirts, drinkware, coolers, wagons, tables, chairs, blankets and outdoor games.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you think of Texas, you think of football \u2014 so teaming up with Academy for a third campaign just in time for the season made perfect sense,\u201d Rachael Jones, Whataburger\u2019s group director of CPG and retail marketing, said in a statement.\u00a0\u201cThis collaboration brings a fresh take on tailgating and gives fans a fun way to work both iconic brands into their fall traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Products are available at Academy Sports and Outdoors locations and online at both companies.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>Chipotle launches rewards program, partners with Urban Outfitters<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper hide-small show-large\" id=\"desktop-carousel\"\/>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>As scholars return to college campuses, Chipotle announced a student rewards program\u00a0in what the company says is the \u201cfirst major national restaurant brand to launch a loyalty program for college students.\u201d Chipotle U rewards members will receive 1,000 points upon signing up, and 12 points for every $1 spent at the restaurant.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"inside_story\">\n<div class=\"figure_content\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" data-imagemodel=\"-1\" src=\"https:\/\/imgproxy.divecdn.com\/Sol3vdgc_MhyIhrYeHNR_a_9nCoasptBwZGeaR3Jndo\/raw:1\/Z3M6Ly9kaXZlc2l0ZS1zdG9yYWdlL2RpdmVpbWFnZS9TY3JlZW5zaG90XzIwMjUtMDgtMjJfMTAxMzM1LnBuZw==\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inside_story_caption\">\n<p>Image courtesy of Chipotle<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To celebrate, Chipotle teamed up with <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Urban Outfitters on a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0limited-edition \u201cA Little Extra\u201d\u00a0dorm collection inspired by its menu. The capsule includes a tumbler, doormat, pillows, chairs, a throw blanket and more.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>&#8220;Urban Outfitters is Gen Z&#8217;s destination for their next favorite find, and Chipotle is an iconic part of campus life, so teaming up was a natural fit,&#8221; Cyntia Leo, head of brand marketing at Urban Outfitters, said in a statement. &#8220;We&#8217;re excited to bring this collaboration to life together, encouraging consumers to be a little extra and bring that energy into their dorms and homes.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><span><span>What we\u2019re thinking about <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>$1.50<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>That\u2019s the price of some Dollar Tree items, marked up from $1.25. On a store visit to a Dollar Tree location in Maryland, Retail Dive observed employees placing stickers marked with \u201c$1.50\u201d over products previously marked $1.25.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"inside_story\">\n<div class=\"figure_content\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" data-imagemodel=\"-1\" src=\"https:\/\/imgproxy.divecdn.com\/Mc7J9VjmrYBoWBkn9qL4OsN3FA2AKNJN0J3eEhCaEDU\/raw:1\/Z3M6Ly9kaXZlc2l0ZS1zdG9yYWdlL2RpdmVpbWFnZS9TY3JlZW5zaG90XzIwMjUtMDgtMjJfYXRfMTAuMzcuMjZBTS5wbmc=\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inside_story_caption\">\n<p>A package of sponges from Dollar Tree that were previously priced at $1.25 with a new $1.50 sticker placed on top as of Aug. 16.<\/p>\n<p>Caroline Jansen\/Retail Dive<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Dollar Tree has been testing higher prices in recent years. In 2021, the dollar store chain announced plans to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>increase prices from $1 to $1.25<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> across the majority of its assortment. And executives last year said <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>some items in its stores will cost up to $7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>1,500+<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>That\u2019s how many <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>pop-up locations Spirit Halloween intends to open<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span> this season.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper show-small hide-large\" id=\"mobile-carousel\"\/>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Stores feature a Madison Scare Park theme \u2014 a haunted subway platform with interactive design elements. This year, stores includes costumes of popular characters from \u201cSquid Games,\u201d \u201cWicked\u201d and \u201cMarvel.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>&#8220;We know every guest looks to our stores as an entertainment destination that brings the spirit of the season to life \u2013 and this year is no different, as we unveil our unique in-store experience inspired by the gritty allure of underground subways, alongside the best selection of costumes, decor and accessories for every type of Halloween enthusiast,\u201d Spirit Halloween CEO Steven Silverstein said in a statement.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><span><span>What we\u2019re watching <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><em><span>Back-to-school season under pressure as consumers remain \u2018<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><em><span>stretched and selective\u2019 <\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Some retailers, especially those selling apparel and footwear, will be under pressure during back-to-school season, as tariff-related concerns weigh on them and many of their customers, according to Jefferies analysts.\u00a0Inflation is still a top concern for those surveyed by the firm\u2019s consumer team, with 12% reporting \u201cmaximum anxiety,\u201d according to a Wednesday research note.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cMall traffic is softening, compares are challenged, inventories are elevated, and tariffs continue to weigh on margins,\u201d the analysts said. \u201cAfter two years of strong consumer trends, many retailers now face the challenge of sustaining peak fundamentals amid signs of a stretched and selective U.S. consumer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Off-price retailers and discounters like Walmart are poised to benefit. More than 45% of consumers waited for Amazon\u2019s Prime Day to tackle their back-to-school lists, and Walmart+ is perceived by frequent online shoppers as an even better deal than Amazon Prime, Jefferies found. Walmart\u2019s basket is also cheaper than Target\u2019s, according to a Jefferies pricing study.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/online-workshops-list\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-496\" src=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\" alt=\"Retail Online Training\" width=\"729\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png 729w, https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/a><\/p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen to the article 7 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. It\u2019s been another week with far more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15820,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15819"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15819\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}