Bed Bath & Beyond is closing hundreds of stores. But they won’t be empty for long

By Nathaniel Meyersohn | CNN

Bed Bath & Beyond is stripping down its big blue signs, clearing out aisles of linens and closing 400 stores as it tries to stave off bankruptcy.

Already, chains including TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Ross have scooped up the vacant stores. Burlington, Five Below, Nordstrom Rack and budget gym Planet Fitness may also fill up the spaces, say retail landlords and real estate analysts.

Bed Bath & Beyond’s real estate is a precious, scarce resource for retailers, gyms and anyone else who needs ample space. There’s been little new retail development since the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of online shopping, and vacancy rates