Bed Bath & Beyond has extended its store closures until at least May 16, but the company is making the most of the situation to boost its e-Commerce presence: 25% of its locations in the U.S. and Canada have been converted into regional fulfillment centers, almost doubling the retailer’s digital fulfillment capacity. This has helped the company keep up with digital demand, which has grown by more than 85% since the beginning of April.
The added e-Commerce activity has allowed Bed Bath & Beyond to return several hundred employees from furlough and create hundreds of new positions across its existing distribution centers. The retailer also has launched curbside pickup at all Harmon stores; buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and curbside pickup at buybuy BABY locations in Canada; and rolling out BOPIS to U.S. stores in Florida and Texas.
“We’re prioritizing the health and safety of our people, customers and communities by extending the temporary closure of most of our stores at this moment,” said Mark Tritton, President & CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond in a statement. “This is a fluid situation, so as well as serving our loyal customers online in their homes, we will also expand the number of locations where customers can buy online and pick up at store, or simply drive up and enjoy contactless, curbside pick-up, in line with local, state and federal guidance.”
Despite the company’s e-Commerce success, the continued store closures have led to an extension of existing furloughs for the majority of store associates and some corporate workers. Bed Bath & Beyond also will temporarily reduce executive salaries by 30%.
Advertisement
