Latest news with #homeDecor
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Report: Home chain with 200 stores across 40 states plots bankruptcy
Another home decor retailer is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. At Home, the Texas-based home chain with 200 stores nationwide, is preparing to file for Chapter 11 protection in the coming weeks, according to Bloomberg . The company reportedly missed a critical interest payment on May 15. It has until June 30 to chart a path forward, which may include bankruptcy. The retailer, a competitor to online brands like Wayfair, entered private equity ownership in 2021 when Hellman & Friedman acquired it for $2.8 billion. At Home sells low- and mid-tier decor across 40 states, with products ranging from $30 area rugs to $450 accent chairs. But the products have failed to capture consumer imaginations, according to Neil Saunders, managing director and retail expert at GlobalData. 'They have way too much debt, their stores are not particularly interesting, and they are being beaten on price and interesting assortments by chains like IKEA and HomeGoods,' Saunder said. He added that the company could look to close some of its underperforming stores if it files for bankruptcy, but cautioned: 'This remains to be seen.' Bankruptcy rumors started swirling around the brand in mid-April , when reports emerged that the business was mired in more than $2 billion in debt and tangled in the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariff regime. At Home sources most of its inventory from China. Trump's policies could force the company to take on even more debt — or raise prices on already price-sensitive products. Right now, products made in China face a 30 percent tariff rate . At Home has been trying to pivot away from Chinese suppliers since late 2023, Bloomberg noted, with recent efforts to forge relationships with manufacturers in India. But that shift takes time, and retail experts have long warned that brands are likely to pass rising costs along. India is currently negotiating with US officials to remove a currently-paused 26 percent tariff. At Home isn't the only struggling home retailer. Home improvement retailers saw a pandemic-era boom between 2020 and 2021, when lockdowns inspired a wave of home redecoration. But shoppers, worn down by years of inflation , have pulled back from discretionary spending. 'Although inflation has been easing, overall prices are still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels,' Tim Hynes, Debtwire's global head of credit research, told 'There is a notable shift away from discretionary goods, such as home furnishings, towards essential items and experiences.' That shift has contributed to a wave of bankruptcies across the industry. Since 2022, Bed Bath and Beyond , Christmas Tree Shops , Bargain Hunt , Conn's , LL Flooring , and The Container Store have all filed for Chapter 11 protection. LL Flooring (formerly known as Lumber Liquidators) and The Container Store have since exited bankruptcy proceedings. The rest shuttered their physical locations entirely. Hynes noted that if At Home follows suit, consumers could see short-term gains in the form of steeper promotions and discounted merchandise. But in the long run, Trump's tariff policies could keep costs elevated for both businesses and shoppers.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
IKEA rival with 200 stores across 40 states plots bankruptcy as it struggles with Trump's tariffs
Another home decor retailer is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. At Home, the Texas-based home chain with 200 stores nationwide, is preparing to file for Chapter 11 protection in the coming weeks, according to Bloomberg. The company reportedly missed a critical interest payment on May 15. It has until June 30 to chart a path forward, which may include bankruptcy. The retailer, a competitor to online brands like Wayfair, entered private equity ownership in 2021 when Hellman & Friedman acquired it for $2.8 billion. At Home sells low- and mid-tier decor across 40 states, with products ranging from $30 area rugs to $450 accent chairs. But the products have failed to capture consumer imaginations, according to Neil Saunders, managing director and retail expert at GlobalData. 'They have way too much debt, their stores are not particularly interesting, and they are being beaten on price and interesting assortments by chains like IKEA and HomeGoods,' Saunder said. He added that the company could look to close some of its underperforming stores if it files for bankruptcy, but cautioned: 'This remains to be seen.' Bankruptcy rumors started swirling around the brand in mid-April, when reports emerged that the business was mired in more than $2 billion in debt and tangled in the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariff regime. At Home sources most of its inventory from China. Trump's policies could force the company to take on even more debt — or raise prices on already price-sensitive products. Right now, products made in China face a 30 percent tariff rate. At Home has been trying to pivot away from Chinese suppliers since late 2023, Bloomberg noted, with recent efforts to forge relationships with manufacturers in India. But that shift takes time, and retail experts have long warned that brands are likely to pass rising costs along. India is currently negotiating with US officials to remove a currently-paused 26 percent tariff. At Home isn't the only struggling home retailer. Home improvement retailers saw a pandemic-era boom between 2020 and 2021, when lockdowns inspired a wave of home redecoration. But shoppers,worn down by years of inflation, have pulled back from discretionary spending. Analysts told Daily Mail that the bankruptcies can lead to short-term bargain opportunities for home products - but they warn prices are likely to rise Meanwhile, furniture brands that have focused on modularity and low pricing, like IKEA, received praise for their consistent consumer interest 'Although inflation has been easing, overall prices are still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels,' Tim Hynes, Debtwire's global head of credit research, told 'There is a notable shift away from discretionary goods, such as home furnishings, towards essential items and experiences.' That shift has contributed to a wave of bankruptcies across the industry. Since 2022, Bed Bath and Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Bargain Hunt, Conn's, LL Flooring, and The Container Store have all filed for Chapter 11 protection. LL Flooring (formerly known as Lumber Liquidators) and The Container Store have since exited bankruptcy proceedings. The rest shuttered their physical locations entirely. Hynes noted that if At Home follows suit, consumers could see short-term gains in the form of steeper promotions and discounted merchandise. But in the long run, Trump's tariff policies could keep costs elevated for both businesses and shoppers. 'While some supply chain issues have stabilized, geopolitical risks and the potential for increased tariffs on imported goods introduce uncertainty,' Hynes added. 'Retailers like At Home, which rely heavily on imported products, could face higher procurement costs and potential disruptions if tariffs are implemented.'
Washington Post
28-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
10 ways to get a better outdoor space without spending a lot of money
Outdoor spaces are often treated like afterthoughts, but they should get top billing this time of year. The good news: You don't need much effort — or a ton of money — to spruce yours up. 'Even one little settee with a couple of colorful pillows can make a huge impact,' said Gideon Mendelson, the founder and creative director of Mendelson Group in New York. Here's how to freshen up your piece of the outdoors, whether it's a balcony, deck, terrace, patio or yard.
Entrepreneur
27-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How toTree Is Disrupting Furniture Shopping
Journalist Tim Struby spent 20 years traveling the world, penning stories for the likes of ESPN the Magazine, The New Yorker, and Outside magazine. When COVID lockdown hit, Struby found himself with the time to finally fix up his place. The only problem? He really didn't know anything about interior design, and the last thing he wanted to do was spend hours looking at couch options. It was a pain point that he realized many people shared, which led to his lightbulb moment and the founding toTree, which bills itself as "the company you think about when you don't want to think about furniture shopping." "Compared to writing, the life of a CEO and founder couldn't be more different," Struby told Entrepreneur. "The biggest challenge hasn't been the work, but rewiring my brain. I spent most of the past two decades at a far slower pace thinking, researching, talking, and listening to people. Today? It often feels like a blur, going 100 mph — managing people, managing budgets, holding meetings, and wearing more hats than I'd ever imagined possible. Every day is an adventure." Read on to learn more about Struby's journey from journalist to founder and to get his best advice for first-time entrepreneurs. Please give us the elevator pitch of your business. For millions of people, myself included, furniture shopping sucks. Too many brands, too many options, little to no guidance, and it's generally an exhausting/frustrating waste of time, energy, and money. toTree is revolutionizing the furniture shopping experience by solving those problems. Our secret? We're the first-ever furniture shopping service, combining just the right amount of interior design expertise with a remarkably fast and easy online process. What inspired you to create it? During the COVID lockdown, I was dating someone who had a great eye for interior design. I asked her to help me fix up my living room, which I'd been putting off for years. As we discussed the project, I realized that I knew so many people in the same boat. Especially guys. I literally declared, "I think this has potential for a great business." Related: An Idea This Dad Developed at His Kitchen Table Is Now a Beloved Kids' Toy That Has Sold Over 3 Million Units. Here's How the Inventor of Ollyball Made It Happen. What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking for funding? The traditional VC route isn't for everyone, so get creative and unconventional. When I was looking to do a friends and family raise, I turned to a poker player I'd written about 10 years ago for ESPN the Magazine. That conversation led to eight of the world's best poker players investing in toTree. Please share a breakthrough moment that let you know you were on the right path. Last year, we were really struggling to get users through the entire survey process, where people provide information about their needs, tastes and budget preferences. After months of testing and research, and then another few months of implementing changes, we're now seeing a 900% increase in survey completions. Survey completions lead to conversions. What does the word "entrepreneur" mean to you? Ferocity of spirit. A spirit that includes passion, curiosity, determination, drive, imagination, fearlessness, and self-determination. Related: They Started a Side Hustle in Their College Dorm and Bootstrapped Their Way to a Massive Business: 'It's Always Been About Being Scrappy' What is something many aspiring business owners think they need that they really don't? Deep knowledge of the space they're looking to disrupt. Specifically, a deep knowledge before starting out. Take furniture, for example. You don't need to have been a furniture expert with years of work experience to solve a significant problem in the space. In fact, I think it can be a liability because of the subconscious biases and prejudices that develop over time. To disrupt an industry, you often need an open mind, a tabula rasa. Only then can you step back and see that there might be a better way of doing things that no one else has seen. Is there a particular quote or saying that you use as personal motivation? I have two. "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid," and "That which does not kill you makes you stronger." The first gets me out of bed every morning, excited to change the world. The second helps me sleep at night!
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Dunelm shoppers rush to pick up ‘stunning' furniture bargains scanning at tills for £345 less in huge clearance
DUNELM shoppers are dashing to stores to bag major furniture deals in a huge clearance sale. One chuffed customer saved an eye-watering £344.60 after picking up two stylish wooden pieces. Sharing their bargain find on Facebook, they told followers that they'd purchased an Olney Storage Coffee Table and Wide Sideboard for just £73.40. The oak sideboard alone originally cost £249, and the coffee table was £169. Other members of Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK flocked to the comment section to congratulate him on the impressive find. "Brilliant," one wrote, while a second added: "Nice find, well done, the coffee table is stunning". It's worth remembering that while this is an incredible deal, it may not be repeated across multiple stores. It's always best to phone ahead to your local store to make sure it has stock in. Stores might discount some items to clear old stock from their shelves, or if the item appears damaged or defective. In some cases, like this one, the item might be dirty but will look good as new after a clean. It's worth noting that usually if you buy something with a known fault, you won't be able to return it for that reason. To find your nearest Dunelm store visit Another savvy shopper revealed a little-known hack to bag trendy items from the store for a massively reduced price. Taking to TikTok, the interiors fan, who posts via the account @maskedreno, shared how anyone can enjoy "up to 75% off" everything from sofas to lamps. The secret? Heading to one of Dunelm's outlet shops. In the viral clip, the bargain hunter said: "I wasn't expecting to find much as when I went I couldn't find anything except for an odd yellow sticker, but then I went upstairs and boy, there was so much. I could've spend ages in there. "I do love a good deal, if anyone's decorating or buying their new home I recommend checking this place out." The sprawling space was stacked with discounted finds, including a trendy wooden side cabinet, originally priced at £499 but reduced to just £125. And another even larger cabinet was slashed from £729 to £182. The shop also had plenty of lighting up for grabs, including a stylish table lamp which was originally priced at £20 but was marked down to £14. The discount shop had other items as well, including a sweet rattan shelf in the shape of a hot air balloon - perfect for kids' bedrooms. The shopper even spotted a kids desk and stool set for just £38.50, reduced from £55. Dunelm frequently has sales and promotions giving you up to 75% off, especially at certain times of the year. Check the clearance page on the Dunelm website for huge discounts and the latest promotions. You may also be able to combine these deals with other money-saving websites. 3
