Shelves at the Coquitlam Bed Bath & Beyond at 1175 Woolridge St. are emptying a month after the U.S.-based company announced it was closing Canadian operations.
A clerk told the Tri-City News that the store will likely close some time in April, at which point a third-party professional liquidator will acquire the remaining bed and bath linens, kitchen supplies and housewares.
Once that happens, the home goods retailer is expected to vacate its leased premises.
What's left at the store is a small clearance section, including some Christmas items, shelves of kitchenware, including cutlery, plates, Nespresso and Kitchenaid machines with most items 20 per cent off. There are also some sheets and bed covers as well as an extensive bath section and personal care items.
There were some empty shelves when the Tri-City News visited Monday (March 13) and many decor items, such as throw pillows, were gone.
In mid-February the international chain announced it was unable to keep the Canadian stores going.
Court filings state that Bed Bath & Beyond's troubles began in 2018 but have worsened throughout 2022 "with declining year-over-year sales in both the United States and Canada, multiple credit rating downgrades, cash flow constraints, and significant inventory reductions."
The company had sought a buyer for the Canadian division and looked at alternatives, such as shutting down under-performing stores.
But there were too many obstacles, including lack of support from lenders, leading the company to make the difficult decision to close.
At the time of the court filling, Bed Bath & Beyond had 387 full-time employees and 1,038 part-time employees in 65 stores across Canada, including 11 Buybuy Baby stores..
Bed Bath & Beyond in Coquitlam is not the only local home goods store that is closing.
Danish-owned Jysk is closing its store Jysk is closing its Sunwood Square store after 25 years. Its United Boulevard store will remain open.
