In a surprising twist that’s got the business world buzzing, Bed Bath & Beyond’s executive chair Marcus Lemonis has declared the company will not reopen any stores in California, claiming the state’s business environment is “overregulated” and “expensive”.

Lemonis took to social media with a provocative statement, asserting that California’s regulatory landscape makes it “nearly impossible” for businesses to succeed. However, his claims seem to ring hollow considering California remains the world’s fourth-largest economy, boasting a robust $4 trillion GDP.

The move appears more politically motivated than a genuine business strategy. Lemonis, a known Trump supporter who previously appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, seems to be leveraging controversy to gain attention. His statement comes as the once-popular home goods retailer attempts to emerge from bankruptcy after closing stores nationwide.

California Governor Gavin Newsom wasn’t shy about responding to Lemonis’s claims. His press office sarcastically noted that most Americans already believed Bed Bath & Beyond had vanished, pointedly wishing the company luck in its efforts to become “relevant again”.

Currently, the struggling retailer has only reopened one store - located in Nashville, Tennessee - since its bankruptcy. Lemonis’s dramatic announcement about California seems more like a publicity stunt than a substantive business decision.

The broader context reveals a complex narrative about business adaptability. While Lemonis paints California as hostile to commerce, numerous successful companies continue to thrive in the state, from tech giants to innovative startups.

As Bed Bath & Beyond attempts to rebuild its brand, this controversial stance might ultimately do more harm than good. By alienating one of the nation’s most economically significant markets, the company risks further marginalizing itself in an already competitive retail landscape.

The saga continues to unfold, leaving business observers and California residents wondering about the true motivations behind Lemonis’s bold proclamation.