Latest news with #Dormify
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
High-end retailer buys bankrupt specialty online shop
When I worked in higher ed, I learned quite a few things myself. Or rather, I had to relearn some things that had evolved since I was a student. For example, we weren't supposed to call the newest students 'freshmen.' They were first-year students now. And there were always the gentle reminders that it wasn't a dorm, it was a residence hall. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter That last one was more than just potayto, potahto. It was about the experience. A dorm was just for sleeping, but a residence hall was about building community and offering students the chance to learn and grow with their peers outside of the classroom. Related: Another popular furniture company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Retailers hawking back-to-campus products would appear to have not gotten the memo about dorms now being called residence halls, though. And to be fair, things like compact storage solutions and cute bedding and decor are all about making the actual dorm room experience more comfortable. While the retail world's choice of words might not always align with what's preferred on campus, one retailer has shown that it has a finger on the pulse of what college students need. Williams-Sonoma (WSM) has announced the acquisition of Dormify, a retailer specializing in bedding, decor, and storage solutions tailored to the needs of college students and other young adults living in tight quarters. 'The acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property aligns with our strategy to build and acquire brands that meet customers at every stage of life across various aesthetics,' said Williams-Sonoma, Inc. President and CEO Laura Alber in a statement. 'We look forward to integrating our operational excellence, in-house design capabilities, digital expertise, and world-class customer service into Dormify to accelerate the brand's growth and scale its reach.' Dormify was founded in 2011 by mother-daughter duo Karen and Amanda Zuckerman. It started as a campus lifestyle blog focused on furniture and decor for college dorms and eventually launched a line of related products. The online company grew through partnerships with major retailers, including The Container Store, Macy's, Office Depot, and American Eagle. American Eagle even led a $3.45 million Series A investment in 2018, per Retail Dive. Still, Dormify declared Chapter 11 in November 2024. And Williams-Sonoma spotted a greater opportunity to reach the Gen Z market. The Education Data Initiative reports that there will be 19.57 million undergraduate students enrolled this fall, up from 19.28 million last fall. While not all of them will be living on campus, it's still a sizeable market to tap into. Acquiring Dormify isn't the only indication of the Williams-Sonoma family of brands' attempt to capture more Gen Z customers, who are still years away from buying a set of Le Creuset cookware. Pottery Barn Teen also recently introduced Dorm Concierge, a new service for customers to pick up dorm product purchases near their campus or at any of the 450 participating locations, including Williams Sonoma and West Elm stores. This summer, select Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids stores will house a 'Dorm Shop' to send students off to campus in stylish comfort. Related: Sephora unveils new brand partnership Gen Z will love But even though there's a fresh set of incoming students every year, they will soon age out of that customer demographic. In 2024, Amanda Zuckerman told Entrepreneur, 'It's hard because we have a new customer every single year. So it's not just about acquiring them and continuing to nurture that customer. It's acquiring a new customer every single year.' Of course, by nurturing this fresh batch of consumers every summer, Williams-Sonoma is hoping that they will eventually graduate into its other brands. More retail: Nike turns to unexpected brand in desperate bid to win back Gen ZAfter bankruptcy, closed clothing chain hints at comebackT-Mobile makes unexpected move to lure customers from competitors Dormify's current home page announces: 'We appreciate your patience while we work on a new assortment and site experience designed to inspire your next dorm room. In the meantime, check out Pottery Barn Dorm for our latest collection of bedding and decor.' The FAQ page states that Williams-Sonoma cannot offer support for past Dormify orders, and gift cards and rewards are invalid. Williams-Sonoma plans to relaunch Dormify in 2026. No word yet on whether there are plans to change the name to Residentialhallify. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Williams-Sonoma acquires Dormify IP to expand in dorm market
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) announced the acquisition of the intellectual property of Dormify, an online retailer and content resource for college students and young adults. The company stated this strategic acquisition reinforces its commitment to long-term growth and its ability to capture market share. Williams-Sonoma plans to relaunch Dormify in 2026. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders' Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on WSM: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Williams-Sonoma price target lowered to $160 from $165 at UBS Williams-Sonoma price target lowered to $182 from $189 at RBC Capital Williams-Sonoma Hold Rating: Merchandise Margin Decline Overshadows Strong Sales and EBIT Margin Expansion Williams-Sonoma: Hold Rating Amid Strong Performance and Tariff Challenges Williams-Sonoma: Strong Performance Amid Valuation Concerns and Short-term Risks
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ACQUISITION TO EXPAND IN DORM MARKET
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the acquisition of the intellectual property of Dormify, a trusted online retailer and content resource for college students and young adults seeking curated, space-saving home solutions. This strategic acquisition reinforces Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s ongoing commitment to long-term growth and showcases the company's ability to pursue targeted opportunities that capture market share and unlock white space across key demographic and lifestyle segments. 'The acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property aligns with our strategy to build and acquire brands that meet customers at every stage of life across various aesthetics,' said Laura Alber, President and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. 'We look forward to integrating our operational excellence, in-house design capabilities, digital expertise, and world-class customer service into Dormify to accelerate the brand's growth and scale its reach.' Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will relaunch Dormify in 2026. ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's products, representing distinct merchandise strategies — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or are proven incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the ability to integrate the company's operations into Dormify, the anticipated growth and scalability of the Dormify brand, and the timing of the relaunch of Dormify. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include the risks that: the company may be unable to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction; initiatives with Dormify may distract management from other operations; customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with Dormify customers until the relaunch) may be greater than expected; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our public announcements, reports to stockholders and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2025 and all subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. WSM-PR
National Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ACQUISITION TO EXPAND IN DORM MARKET
Article content SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the acquisition of the intellectual property of Dormify, a trusted online retailer and content resource for college students and young adults seeking curated, space-saving home solutions. This strategic acquisition reinforces Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s ongoing commitment to long-term growth and showcases the company's ability to pursue targeted opportunities that capture market share and unlock white space across key demographic and lifestyle segments. Article content Article content 'The acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property aligns with our strategy to build and acquire brands that meet customers at every stage of life across various aesthetics,' said Laura Alber, President and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. 'We look forward to integrating our operational excellence, in-house design capabilities, digital expertise, and world-class customer service into Dormify to accelerate the brand's growth and scale its reach.' Article content Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will relaunch Dormify in 2026. Article content Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's products, representing distinct merchandise strategies — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. Article content This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or are proven incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the ability to integrate the company's operations into Dormify, the anticipated growth and scalability of the Dormify brand, and the timing of the relaunch of Dormify. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Article content The risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include the risks that: the company may be unable to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction; initiatives with Dormify may distract management from other operations; customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with Dormify customers until the relaunch) may be greater than expected; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our public announcements, reports to stockholders and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2025 and all subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ACQUISITION TO EXPAND IN DORM MARKET
SAN FRANCISCO, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the acquisition of the intellectual property of Dormify, a trusted online retailer and content resource for college students and young adults seeking curated, space-saving home solutions. This strategic acquisition reinforces Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s ongoing commitment to long-term growth and showcases the company's ability to pursue targeted opportunities that capture market share and unlock white space across key demographic and lifestyle segments. "The acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property aligns with our strategy to build and acquire brands that meet customers at every stage of life across various aesthetics," said Laura Alber, President and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. "We look forward to integrating our operational excellence, in-house design capabilities, digital expertise, and world-class customer service into Dormify to accelerate the brand's growth and scale its reach." Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will relaunch Dormify in 2026. ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's products, representing distinct merchandise strategies — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or are proven incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s acquisition of Dormify's intellectual property, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the ability to integrate the company's operations into Dormify, the anticipated growth and scalability of the Dormify brand, and the timing of the relaunch of Dormify. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include the risks that: the company may be unable to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction; initiatives with Dormify may distract management from other operations; customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with Dormify customers until the relaunch) may be greater than expected; and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our public announcements, reports to stockholders and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2025 and all subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. WSM-PR View source version on Contacts Kendall ColemanWilliams Sonoma, Inc. Public Relationskacoleman@ 415-616-7926 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
