Bed Bath & Beyond’s flagship store in New York City, located at 620 6th Avenue.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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On Thursday morning, Bed Bath & Beyond will officially open the doors of its newly renovated flagship location in New York City.
For nearly three decades, the approximately 92,000 square foot 6th Avenue location in the Chelsea neighborhood has remained virtually untouched. The fixtures have become dated. The goods were piled higher and higher up to the ceiling. The signage was dark and the lower level looked like a dungeon, noted general manager Mark Tritton during a media tour of the store this week.
The renovated space is nothing like what it was before. Come Thursday morning, shoppers will be greeted by open windows next to a cafe area, a one-of-a-kind SodaStream bar, wider aisles, less merchandise, new brands – including a range of Bed Bath & Beyond clean – and bright, modern brand.
It is one of the first of 450 Bed Bath & Beyond properties to undergo a facelift over the next three years. A key part of Tritton’s turnaround strategy is to invest around $ 250 million in updates to gain new customers and retain existing customers.
The Chelsea location now has a vast health and wellness area, which the retailer says results in frequent visits to its stores and helps create larger, more profitable baskets.
“It’s really emblematic of the renovations we’re going to be doing over the next three years,” Tritton said. “But there won’t be anything like this Chelsea store. “
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The store was cluttered with merchandise piled up to the ceiling.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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The Chelsea location also provides space for Bed Bath & Beyond’s private labels to shine. This is at the heart of Tritton’s recovery plan. He takes inspiration from the playbook of Target, his big-box rival, where he was previously Chief Merchant and has helped develop a number of successful internal brands from scratch.
Bed Bath & Beyond plans to roll out at least eight internal brands in fiscal 2021, and more than 10 over the next three years. Some have been launched in recent months, including a line of storage containers called Squared Away; a swimwear brand known as Haven; and a range of household items under the nickname Bee & Willow.
According to Joe Hartsig, director of merchandising at Bed Bath & Beyond, the company picked up merchandise in certain categories, like travel, which did not sell as well in the past at this Chelsea location, in order to make room. for more bedding and bath items.
Reducing inventory also gave Bed Bath & Beyond a chance to declutter and organize inventory by brand, price and sometimes color, he said.
“We know it is difficult to shop in our stores,” said Hartsig while touring the store with Tritton. “So we really tried to make the aisles easier to navigate… the wider aisles are very clean. The presentation is very tight. “
Customers at this store will also be able to use a new scan and shop feature recently launched in Bed Bath & Beyond’s mobile app, whereby shoppers can bypass the checkout line and pay in-store from their phones.
Here is a first glimpse of the interior.
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Bed Bath & Beyond’s private labels, like Our Table, are featured prominently throughout.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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A space at the front of the store will rotate with seasonal merchandise. It is currently devoted to back-to-school products.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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A one-of-a-kind SodaStream station will be staffed so customers can design their own flavored carbonated water drinks.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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And there is a cafe right by the entrance to the street.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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A health and beauty department at the back of the store offers everything from travel soaps to vitamins and makeup.
Source: Bath in Bed and Beyond
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Downstairs shoppers will find bedding and bath items.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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Customers can also purchase mattresses and pillows at a pint-sized Casper store within that store.
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond PR
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