Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Introduction

Build-A-Bear Workshop (Build-A-Bear) is an interactive toy retailer engaged in marketing “Make your own stuffed animals”. The company operates nationally from its own chain of stores and internationally through a variety of franchised outlets. Build-A-Bear operates in the US, Puerto Rico, the UK, Ireland and France through company owned stores and in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa through franchise stores. The company is headquartered in Missouri, US and employs about 6000 people out of which 4,800 people are part-time employees.

History

Build-A-Bear Workshop (Build-A-Bear) was founded by Maxine Clark in 1997. The first store was located in St. Louis Galleria. The company rapidly expanded in the US during the late 1990s. Build-A-Bear expanded internationally in 2003 by opening its first store in the UK in Sheffield's Meadowhall Centre. During the same year, the company opened other international stores in Asia and Europe. The company became a publicly traded company in 2004. Build-A-Bear opened its first store in Australia in 2004 and France in 2005, further strengthening its international operations. In 2005, international franchisees opened 18 new stores. By the end of 2005, the company had eleven stores in the UK, five in Australia, four in Denmark, one in France, five in Japan, and one each in the Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden and Taiwan. Build-A-Bear signed a franchise agreement to open Build-A-Bear Workshop stores in Singapore in 2006. In Asia, the company signed franchising agreements with The Murjani Group in India and Central Department Stores in Thailand. The company acquired The Bear Factory, a UK-based stuffed animal retailer in 2006. Build-A-Bear also acquired its former UK franchisee, Amsbra in the same year. Amsbra previously held the Build-A-Bear Workshop franchise rights in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Build-A-Bear signed a franchise agreement with Choose Germany in 2006.

Choose Germany, a subsidiary of Choose Holding (a Danish company) held franchise rights to Build-A-Bear Workshop in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The company opened its new distribution center in Groveport, Ohio in 2006.The new location serves as the primary distribution center for the company's North America store operations. In the same year, Build-A-Bear formed a licensing partnership with Pulaski Furniture Corporation to market Build-A-Bear Workshop Home, a collection of furniture. Build- A-Bear opened a store in The Saint Louis Science Center in March 2007. The company introduced huggable Shrek and its outfit in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, producers of Shrek movies, in May 2007. Also, the company opened two stores in South Florida in July 2007. Stuff Fur Stuff club loyalty program, which is the company's key Guest retention program and communication platform, was expanded to Canada in late 2007.The company introduced its website, buildabearville.com, in January 2008. Build-A-Bear launched a new furry friend, Tropical Hello Kitty, by Sanrio in May 2008. The company plans to extend Stuff Fur Stuff club loyalty program to the UK in 2008. Further, the company plans to slow the new store openings in 2009 to include opening one store in North ...