Bath & Body Works

This article is about the retailer. For the parent company of the retailer, see Bath & Body Works, Inc.

Bath & Body Works, LLC. is an American retail store chain that sells soaps, lotions, fragrances, and candles. It was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio and has since expanded across six continents.^[2] In 1997, it became the largest bath shop chain in the United States.^[3]

Bath and Body Works, LLC.

Bath & Body Works located inside Southern Park Mall
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Retail
Founded	1990; 35 years ago (1990), in New Albany, Ohio, U.S.
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Number of locations	1,710[1] (2023)
Products	Bath, lotions, fragrance, sanitary items, and candles
Parent	Bath & Body Works, Inc.
Website	www.bathandbodyworks.com

A vintage Bath & Body Works store, similar to the first locations opened, at Shenango Valley Mall

History

Bath & Body Works was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio as the beauty line for Express, Inc.^[4] The company's first store opened in a Cambridge, Massachusetts mall in September 1990.^[5] In 1991, the Body Shop sued Bath & Body Works, resulting in Bath & Body Works rebranding ^[6] The brand created a mascot named Kate who serves as a founding figure, with the store layout being modeled as her country house.^[7] In 1997, a secondary brand known as Bath & Body Works at Home was launched.^[3] Two years later, the company launched the White Barn Candle Company, a division specializing in the sale of scented candles.^[8]

A Bath & Body Works at Uptown Rapid (formerly Rushmore Mall) in Rapid City, South Dakota

Bath & Body Works launched both a seasonal catalog and a website in 2006. In November 2006, the company launched its first television commercial advertisement.^[9] Net sales as of January 28, 2006 were $2.3 billion, significantly higher than all other L Brands companies other than Victoria's Secret.^[10]

In July 2008, the company announced that it was opening six locations in Canada. With the company acquiring Canadian-based La Senza, they felt it was the opportunity to move into a growing Canadian market, with The Body Shop being its main competition.^[11][12]

Bath & Body Works operates more than 1,900 stores.^[13] In October 2010, it opened its first stores outside of North America in Kuwait, by the franchise giant M. H. Alshaya Co.^[14]