Beyond's Lemonis Rejects California Due to 'Unsustainable' Business Environment

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: SeekingAlpha

Updated: Aug 20 2025

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Source: SeekingAlpha

CEO's Decision on California: Beyond CEO Marcus Lemonis has decided not to open Bed Bath & Beyond stores in California due to the state's overregulation, high taxes, and challenging business environment.
Focus on Online Sales: The company will serve California customers exclusively through its website, aiming for same-day delivery of products without the inflated costs associated with physical retail operations.
Economic Context: Despite Lemonis' decision, California remains a significant market with the highest GDP in the U.S. and a strong median income, although some retailers have closed locations in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Continued Operations Elsewhere: Lemonis continues to operate 14 Camping World dealerships in California, indicating that his decision is specific to Beyond and not reflective of his other business interests.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.