Bed Bath & the great Beyond: How the home-goods giant went bankrupt

A total of 10 shoppers meandered the vast and visibly sparse aisles of a Bed Bath & Beyond in Northern Virginia on a recent Sunday.

Click here to read the story at npr.org.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is bankruptcy?
2. How do businesses go bankrupt?
3. Does bankruptcy automatically mean that the business will close? Why or why not?
4. According to this story, how did Bed Bath & Beyond go bankrupt?
5. What is promotion?
6. What type of promotion best describes the use of coupons?
7. Why was that such an important strategy for Bed Bath & Beyond?
8. What is the difference between e-commerce and retail?
9. The article suggests Bed Bath & Beyond “missed the boat” on e-commerce. What does that mean and how did that impact the company?
10. What is competition?
11. According to this news story, what are three examples of competitors that have adversely impacted Bed Bath & Beyond?
12. Why do you think those stores had an impact on Bed Bath & Beyond?
13. This news story suggests Bed Bath & Beyond is in search for an identity. What does that mean?
14. How might that provide an example of positioning?
15. What is a marketing plan?
16. What is a business plan?
17. Could a successful business and/or marketing plan help to get Bed Bath & Beyond back on track or do you think the company will be shuttered forever? Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.