Bath & Body Works

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This article is about the retailer. For the parent company of the retailer, see Bath & Body Works, Inc.
Bath and Body Works, LLC.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1990; 34 years ago (1990), in New Albany, Ohio, U.S.
HeadquartersColumbus, Ohio, U.S.
Number of locations
1,710[1] (2023)
ProductsBath, lotions, fragrance, sanitary items, and candles
ParentBath & Body Works, Inc.
Websitewww.bathandbodyworks.com
A Vintage Bath & Body Works store similar to the first locations opened. Shenango Valley Mall

Bath & Body Works, LLC. is an American retail store chain that sells soaps, lotions, fragrances, and candles. It was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio and has since expanded across six continents.[2] In 1997, it became the largest bath shop chain in the United States.[3]

History

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Bath & Body Works was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio as the beauty line for Express, Inc.[4] The company's first store opened in a Cambridge, Massachusetts mall in September 1990.[5] In 1991, the Body Shop sued Bath & Body Works, resulting in Bath & Body Works rebranding itself.[citation needed] The brand created a mascot named Kate who serves as a founding figure, with the store layout being modeled as her country house.[6] In 1997, a secondary brand known as Bath & Body Works at Home was launched.[3] Two years later, the company launched the White Barn Candle Company, a division specializing in the sale of scented candles.[7]

A Bath & Body Works at the Rushmore Mall in Rapid City, South Dakota

Bath & Body Works launched both a seasonal catalog and a website in 2006. In November 2006, the company launched its first television commercial advertisement.[8] Net sales as of January 28, 2006 were $2.3 billion, significantly higher than all other L Brands companies other than Victoria's Secret.[9]

In July 2008, the company announced that it was opening six locations in Canada. With the company acquiring Canadian-based La Senza, they felt it was the opportunity to move into a growing Canadian market, with The Body Shop being its main competition.[10][11]

Bath & Body Works operates more than 1,900 stores.[12] In October 2010, it opened its first stores outside of North America in Kuwait, by the franchise giant M. H. Alshaya Co.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Number of Bath & Body Works locations in the USA in 2023".
  2. ^ Global Locations. Bath & Body Works Website. Retrieved on 2019-11-19.
  3. ^ a b "Bath & Body Works: 'The McDonald's of Toiletries'". BusinessWeek. 4 August 1997. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  4. ^ Yannetta, Tiffany (2014-12-03). "How Bath & Body Works Became America's Biggest Mall Beauty Brand". Racked. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  5. ^ Yannetta, Tiffany (December 3, 2014). "How Bath & Body Works Became America's Biggest Mall Beauty Brand". Racked.
  6. ^ Shapiro, Eben (1991-10-19). "The Sincerest Form of Rivalry". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  7. ^ "Intimate Brands Inc. starts candle store". The Akron Beacon Journal. November 10, 1999. p. C7. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  8. ^ Elleview.com Archived 2009-05-10 at the Wayback Machine. Elleview.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.
  9. ^ "Limited brands 2005 Annual Report" (PDF). annualreports.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  10. ^ The Canadian Press. "Bath & Body Works takes plunge into Canada". CBC.ca. July 10, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  11. ^ Mah, Bill. "Body Shop aims to boost its green cred" Archived May 19, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Edmonton Journal. August 8, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  12. ^ "Bath and Body Works Franchise Information". Home-business-expo.com. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  13. ^ Kowitt, Beth (February 12, 2013). "M. H. Alshaya: The mystery company importing Americana to the Mideast". Fortune. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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