Home Outfitters, a division of Hudson's Bay Co., will sell a line of Linens 'N Things branded goods at its 69 stores in Canada beginning next spring. The home goods retailer shut its doors last year.
The agreement, which includes a range of bed and bath, home decor and seasonal products, extends through 2016 and is projected to generate in excess of $100 million in retail sales over the term.
The licensee agreement marks the re-emergence of the Linens 'N Things brand at store level since launching www.LNT.com early this year.
"We intend to build on and cultivate the vast following of the Linens 'N Things brand in Canada," said Kerry Mader, senior vice president of Hudson's Bay, in a statement. "As a highly recognized and trusted brand it will provide a quality and fashionable alternative ideally suited for our customers."
Linens 'N Things, once the largest home goods retailer after Bed Bath & Beyond, went out of business last year after it failed to find a buyer in bankruptcy. At a bankruptcy auction in January, Gordon Brothers and Hilco Consumer Capital won the rights to Linens 'N Things' intellectual property. Gordon Brothers and Hilco also own brand rights to other defunct chains, The Sharper Image and Bombay Co.
The agreement comes as some other defunct store banners refuse to die. Circuit City came back online as a pure e-retailer in May 2009. Montgomery Ward returned online in January of this year. Sharper Image is now selling its branded goods at Macy's, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Kohl's as well as online.
Discussion Questions: What do you think of Linens 'N Things coming back as a retail brand? Would you like see other defunct retail names coming back as brands?