In Q3 FY22, Bed Bath & Beyond banner’s comparable sales declined 34 per cent year-on-year (YoY), while Buybuy Baby’s comparable sales declined in the low twenties per cent range YoY. The sales performance was driven by lower in-stock position of approximately 70 per cent and decrease in customer traffic, the company said in a press release.

In terms of channels, in Q3 FY22, comparable sales declined by 31 per cent in stores and by 33 per cent in digital, versus Q3 FY21.

The company’s GAAP gross margin was 22.1 per cent and adjusted gross margin was 22.8 per cent, reflecting the continuation of incremental clearance activity related to discontinued owned brands merchandise and increased promotional activity.

Selling, general, and administrative expense was $583.6 million in Q3 FY22, significantly below $698 million in the corresponding period of last year, driven by successful execution of aggressive cost reduction initiatives to right-size expense structure. The company expects to deliver its previously announced selling, general, and administrative expense reduction target of approximately $250 million versus last year for the second half of fiscal 2022, or approximately $500 million on an annualised basis.

Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 FY22 was minus $225 million, reflecting lower net sales and lower adjusted gross margin.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the company reported negative operating cash flow of approximately $307.6 million.

"At the beginning of the third quarter, we initiated a turnaround plan anchored on serving our loyal customers, following a period when our merchandise and strategy had veered away from their preferences. Although we moved quickly and effectively to change the assortment and other merchandising and marketing strategies, inventory was constrained, and we did not achieve our goals. We will continue to rebalance our assortment towards national brands and refine our owned brands mix to reflect the deep understanding of our customer, along with the selection and value only we can offer in the Home and Baby markets. We are actively pursuing higher in-stock levels to meet proven demand," said Sue Gove, president and CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)