In Brief

Business mogul Marcus Lemonis announces that Bed Bath & Beyond will avoid opening retail stores in California, citing high costs and regulatory hurdles—and will instead focus on e-commerce and delivery.

Key Points

  • Lemonis confirms Bed Bath & Beyond will not open physical stores in California.
  • Decision driven by high taxes, fees, wages, and heavy regulations.
  • California customers will still be served through BedBathandBeyond.com with 24–48 hour and same-day delivery.
  • Lemonis frames the move as practical, not political.

MURRAY, UT — August 20, 2025 — Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond (Beyond, Inc.), announced today that the company will not open or operate physical retail stores in California, opting instead for a robust digital-first strategy.

Context and Background

Once a dominant brick-and-mortar retailer, Bed Bath & Beyond declared bankruptcy in 2023 and closed all its locations. Under Lemonis’s leadership, Beyond, Inc. is being reshaped with a renewed focus on ecommerce, online efficiency, and strategic cost control WikipediaBeyond Investors.

Direct Quotations

Lemonis clarified the decision, saying:

“We will not open or operate retail stores in California. This decision isn’t about politics — it’s about reality. California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America.” Beyond Investors

He added that the company will continue to serve California customers via digital channels:

“Californians will continue to get the products they love through BedBathandBeyond.com … with 24–48-hour delivery, and in many cases, same-day service.” Beyond Investors

Balanced Reporting

Lemonis frames the decision as practical: high taxes, fees, wages, and regulation make California’s retail environment “unsustainable,” while his company realigns towards affordability and efficiency Beyond InvestorsMorningstarGuruFocus. The approach allows the company to maintain customer access without the burden of physical-store overhead.

On the other hand, critics and local officials may view this as a retreat from job creation and community investment in California—though the statement emphasized a focus on serving customers while protecting business and shareholder interests Beyond Investors.

Conclusion / Next Steps

Beyond, Inc.’s next moves include optimizing its online delivery model and ensuring fast, reliable service to California customers—without physical presence. Stakeholders will watch whether this digital-only approach delivers cost efficiencies and customer satisfaction or risks creating a service gap. Meanwhile, California’s policymakers may weigh whether over-regulation is driving businesses away.

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