Get All Access for $5/mo

Bed Bath & Beyond Plans to Raise Over $1 Billion to Pay Debts and Avoid Bankruptcy An 11th-hour deal could help the retailer avoid bankruptcy.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

Bed Bath & Beyond has had a brutal year as the company was met with supply chain disruptions, decline in sales, mounting debt and stock that's plummeted nearly 80% over the past year.

In the beginning of January, the retailer said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that there is "substantial doubt" the company would be able to continue operating.

"While the Company continues to pursue actions and steps to improve its cash position and mitigate any potential liquidity shortfall, based on recurring losses and negative cash flow from operations for the nine months ended November 26, 2022, as well as current cash and liquidity projections, the Company has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern," Bed Bath & Beyond stated in the filing.

Related: Bed Bath & Beyond Accused of Cutting Air Conditioning to Slash Costs

However, now the company could be saved in the 11th hour. A new $1 billion deal consisting of convertible stock and warrants, along with a $100 million additional credit line from one of its lenders, could be enough for the retailer to pay off debts and avoid bankruptcy, The Wall Street Journal reported.

While the raised capital could potentially save the company, the plan isn't exactly foolproof.

Reena Aggarwal, a professor of finance at Georgetown University, told The New York Times that a significant risk to Bed Bath & Beyond's plan is that by the time the shares are issued, the stock price could drop even further, putting the company in a position to issue more shares and further weaken its current shareholders.

However, diluted stock — as opposed to bankruptcy — may be the lesser of two evils for shareholders, as they are the last to get paid out in any filing.

Related: Is Big Lots the Next Bed Bath & Beyond Disaster in the Making?

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Growing a Business

How to Build, Grow and Make Money With Ecommerce

To grow your online business, you need to develop a strategy and invest your time wisely. These actionable tips can attract customers and increase online revenue.

Living

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate.

Here are three guidelines to help entrepreneurs achieve balance, growth and success in both their professional and personal endeavors.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Franchise

Kick-Start Your Small Business With These Cost Effective Strategies

Starting a small business is an exciting adventure, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. A key to success is effectively managing costs from the outset.