The Kroger Co. and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a retailer for home, baby, and wellness products, announced a collaboration, Tuesday, to directly offer Kroger customers a selection baby products and goods for the home through Kroger.com and a small-scale physical store pilot at select Kroger locations beginning next year.
"Kroger is a leader in fresh food and innovation," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO, in a statement. "Every day, we look for new and differentiated ways and experiences to meet our customers evolving needs and elevate and celebrate the moments that matter most to our customers. As an illustration, Bed Bath & Beyond has a compelling portfolio of products that complement the items our customers already love to shop. This strategic online collaboration and in-store pilot will provide Kroger shoppers easy access to essential home and baby products alongside their favorite grocery staples – continuing to fulfill our commitment of providing our customers with anything, anytime, anywhere."
The omnichannel collaboration will include popular items – from bedding and storage to baby furniture and gear – from Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby's assortment, including the company's Owned Brands as well as national brands.
"Many of life's special moments revolve around a meal," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger's senior vice president and chief merchant & marketing officer, in a statement. "This collaboration will bring Bed Bath & Beyond as well as buybuy Baby products to our e-commerce and in-store experiences, expanding the ways we can help celebrate those first homes, moves to college, growing families and more. Now, when visiting a family member's new home, loved ones can surprise them with a meal and a new set of dishes to serve it on in one convenient shopping experience."
Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby products will launch on Kroger.com by early 2022. The e-commerce venture will be enabled by Kroger's Ship marketplace. A branded shop-in-shop experience pilot in select stores will follow.
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