Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook.
In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot.
We cover:
- How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfired
- Why discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led business
- The missed opportunity in e-commerce and Amazon resellers
- What Bath and Body Works can learn from Walmart, Target and TJX
- How to think about profit from the core in your own business
If you want to sharpen your operator brain and see how a real consumer brand tries to pull out of a stall, this one is for you.
Partner Links:
- Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025
Chapters:
- 00:30 Introduction to Bath and Body Worksv
- 06:37 Analyzing Bath and Body Works' Strategy
- 11:40 Challenges in Product Expansion
- 17:32 E-commerce Strategy and Customer Engagement
- 27:34 Future Outlook
Free Consulting Prep Just Got a Whole Lot Better
Create a free MC account for access to step-by-step learning pathways, a brand new case prep course, and more. Download the MC app to prep anywhere.
MBB Undergrad Timelines Are This Month
Application deadlines are the earliest we've ever seen; join Black Belt for an accelerated, MBB-led prep program
Connect With Management Consulted
