Bed Bath & Beyond adds to closures

Four state locations part of announcement

Bed Bath & Beyond, the home goods retailer that is reportedly teetering on a bankruptcy filing, is closing more stores in Connecticut and across the country.

The chain — once a favorite for bridal and baby registries — confirmed Tuesday it will close outlets in Wethersfield, Enfield, Southington and Fairfield. The company told the Courant in a statement that liquidation sales “will commence and continue over the next few weeks and months.”

Bed Bath & Beyond had already closed locations in Waterford and Stamford and is in the midst of a closure in Hamden. After all the closures, the chain would have these five locations in Connecticut, according to the retailer’s website: Brookfield, Guilford, Manchester, Norwalk and Simsbury.

Reuters reported Tuesday the retailer was preparing to seek bankruptcy protection, possibly as soon as this week, and has lined up liquidators to close additional stores unless a last-minute buyer emerges, citing four people familiar with the matter.

Last fall, the retailer announced plans to close 150 underperforming stores nationwide as it sought to cut expense and gain financial stability. An additional round of closures is now being rolled out, including 87 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, five buybuy BABY and all its Harmon drug stores.

“As we continue to work with our advisers to consider multiple paths, we are implementing actions to manage our business as efficiently as possible,” the company’s statement said. “We will update all stakeholders on our plans as they develop and finalize.”

For years, Bed Bath & Beyond was considered a “category killer” for it dinnerware and small appliances, but the chain lost its way, analysts say, because it was slow to move into online sales. The retailer also launched “in-store” brands that weren’t popular with customers.