A vintage Bath & Body Works store, similar to the first locations opened, at Shenango Valley Mall
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]
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 itself.[citation needed] The brand created a mascot named Kate who serves as a founding figure, with the store layout being modeled as her country house.[6] 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.[7]
Bath & Body Works launched both a seasonal catalog and a website in 2006. In November 2006, the company launched its first television commercial advertisement.[8] Net sales as of January 28, 2006 were $2.3 billion, significantly higher than all other L Brands companies other than Victoria's Secret.[9]
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.[10][11]
Bath & Body Works operates more than 1,900 stores.[12] In October 2010, it opened its first stores outside of North America in Kuwait, by the franchise giant M. H. Alshaya Co.[13]
