Build-A-Bear to Shutter Friends 2B Made Concept

Build-A-Bear to Shutter Friends 2B Made Concept
September 17, 2008

St. Louis-based Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. announced plans to close its Friends 2B Made concept, a line of make-your-own dolls and related products. The company expects to complete the nine location closures by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, however the specific timing of the closures is dependent on finalizing third-party agreements, and is subject to change. Of the nine Friends 2B Made locations, all but one of the stores is inside or adjacent to a Build-A-Bear Workshop. The company plans to convert several of these locations to expanded Build-A-Bear Workshop locations in 2009. In addition to closing the nine Friends 2B Made doll locations, the company will remove Friends 2B Made products from separate display fixtures in approximately 50 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and will discontinue product sales at Friends2bmade.com. "To take this concept to the next level would require additional investment and the development of an online presence--which today is required to be a viable children's-entertainment brand," said Maxine Clark, chairman and CEO of the company. "With the slowdown in consumer spending, particularly for discretionary products, we believe the best strategic course for the company is to continue to focus our primary efforts on building our Build-A-Bear Workshop."

Produced by: Nielsen Business Media, a part of the Nielsen Company
	Hospitality Design \| Kitchen & Bath Business \| Display & Design Ideas Multi-Housing News \| Commercial Property News \| Impressions

DDI has been heralding the latest retail store design ideas since 1988 and has become a trusted source for all things retail. When DDI first appeared 20 years ago, the market was right for a magazine that focused on the retail environment. DDI has grown to become the retail design resource for store design concepts and a trusted guide to retail design ideas. DDI carefully chronicles the changes and focuses on the things that generate a buzz the world over in the retail industry.