Could a mysterious buyer save a struggling brand?
There could be some good news for fans of the baby retail chain buybuy Baby.
The chain of stores sells clothing, strollers, and other items for use with infants and young children and is owned by retailer Bed Bath & Beyond, which has filed for bankruptcy.
Both chains were expected to cease operations and stores close by June 30. However, news has come through of two potential bidders looking to buy the brand.
According to CNBC:
Buy Buy Baby is drawing interest from at least two bidders as its parent company, Bed Bath & Beyond, works to auction off its assets and keep some form of its business alive.
One of the bidders is "Babylist, a direct-to-consumer baby registry website that wants to buy its trademark and domain."
While Babylist has come forward as a buyer, the identity of the second bidder has yet to be revealed.
Ankura Capital Advisors, an investment banking firm, is representing the second buyer who has advised that were they to be successful, "75% of the 120 buybuy baby stores across the nation will remain open."
There are currently fifteen buybuy Baby stores in California, some of which could be saved should this new acquisition be approved.
List of buybuy BABY stores in California
- Chula Vista, 1660 Millenia Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91915
- Daly City, 149 Serramonte Center, Unit 150, Daly City, CA 94015
- Elk Grove, 7621 Laguna Boulevard, Elk Grove, CA 95758
- Encinitas, 1014 North El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
- Fresno, 7458 North Blackstone Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720
- Mission Viejo, 25322 El Paseo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
- Pleasant Hill, 3250 Buskirk Avenue, Suite 300-A, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
- Rancho Cucamonga, 11530 4th Street, Suite 125, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
- Redlands, 27651 San Bernardino Avenue, Redlands, CA 92374
- Roseville, 1120 Galleria Boulevard, Suite 160, Roseville, CA 95678
- San Jose, 5353 Almaden Expressway, Suite A100, San Jose, CA 95118
- Temecula, 40438 Winchester Road, Temecula, CA 92591
- Torrance, 3700 West Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90503
- West Hills, 6621 Fallbrook Avenue, Unit B, West Hills, CA 91307
- Yorba Linda, 22999 Savi Ranch Parkway, Yorba Linda, CA 92887
While there is some interest in acquiring the baby retail business, there do not appear to be any suitors for Bed Bath & Beyond at this stage. As a result, all 360 Bed Bath & Beyond stores would close if no buyer came forward.
Your thoughts
Would you like to see buybuy Baby stores remain open? Do you believe keeping brick-and-mortar stores open for those who don't like buying online is important? Would you like to see financial incentives offered to keep stores open and retail staff employed?
Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below and share this article with others so more people can join the discussion.
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