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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009

Commission File Number 0-20214

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

650 Liberty Avenue, Union, New Jersey  07083

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 908/688-0888

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes  x  No  o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes  o  No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x   No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).                                         Yes  o          No  o      

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.          x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o  No  x

As of August 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates (which was computed by reference to the closing price on such date of such stock on the NASDAQ National Market) was $7,430,283,934.*

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock (par value $0.01 per share) at March 28, 2009: 259,664,269.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.

*                                         For purposes of this calculation, all outstanding shares of common stock have been considered held by non-affiliates other than the 17,353,465 shares beneficially owned by directors and executive officers, including in the case of the Co-Chairmen trusts and foundations affiliated with them. In making such calculation, the Registrant does not determine the affiliate or non-affiliate status of any shares for any other purpose.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Form 10-K

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PART I

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Company” refers collectively to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 28, 2009. The Company’s fiscal year is comprised of the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Saturday nearest February 28. Accordingly, fiscal 2008 and 2007 represented 52 weeks and ended on February 28, 2009 and March 1, 2008, respectively. Fiscal 2006 represented 53 weeks and ended on March 3, 2007. Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to periods of time (e.g., quarters and years) are to fiscal periods.

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

Introduction

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a chain of retail stores, operating under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops (“CTS”), Harmon and Harmon Face Values (“Harmon”) and buybuy BABY. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise principally including domestics merchandise and home furnishings as well as food, giftware, health and beauty care items and infant and toddler merchandise.  The Company believes that it is the nation’s largest operator of stores selling predominantly domestics merchandise and home furnishings while offering a breadth and depth of selection in most of its product categories that exceeds what is generally available in department stores or other specialty retail stores.

History

The Company was founded in 1971 by Leonard Feinstein and Warren Eisenberg, the Co-Chairmen of the Company. Each has more than 48 years of experience in the retail industry.

The Company commenced operations in 1971 with the opening of two stores, which primarily sold bed linens and bath accessories. In 1985, the Company introduced its first store carrying a full line of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. The Company began using the name “Bed Bath & Beyond” in 1987 in order to reflect the expanded product line offered by its stores and to distinguish its stores from conventional specialty retail stores offering only domestics merchandise or home furnishings. In March 2002, the Company acquired Harmon, a health and beauty care retailer, which operated 27 stores at the time located in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. In June 2003, the Company acquired CTS, a retailer of giftware and household items, which operated 23 stores at the time located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. In March 2007, the Company acquired buybuy BABY, a retailer of infant and toddler merchandise, which operated 8 stores at the time located in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. In December 2007, the Company opened its first international BBB store in Ontario, Canada.  Since May 2008, the Company, through a joint venture, operates two stores in Mexico under the name “Home & More.”

Operations

It is the Company’s goal to offer quality merchandise at everyday low prices; to maintain a wide assortment of merchandise; to present merchandise in a distinctive manner designed to maximize customer convenience and reinforce customer perception of wide selection; and to emphasize dedication to customer service and satisfaction.

Pricing. The Company believes in maintaining everyday low prices. The Company regularly monitors price levels at its competitors in order to ensure that its prices are in accordance with its pricing philosophy. The Company believes that the application of its everyday low price philosophy is an important factor in establishing its reputation among customers.

Merchandise Assortment. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise principally including domestics merchandise and home furnishings as well as food, giftware, health and beauty care items and infant and toddler merchandise. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings includes categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares and general home furnishings.

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The Company encourages local store personnel to tailor the merchandise mix as appropriate to respond to changing trends and conditions. The factors taken into account in selecting the merchandise mix for a particular store include store size and configuration and local market conditions such as climate and demographics. The Company, on an ongoing basis, tests new merchandise categories and adjusts the categories of merchandise carried in its stores and may add new departments or adjust the size of existing departments as required. Additionally, the Company continues to integrate the merchandise assortments within its concepts. The Company believes that the process of adding new departments, integrating the Company’s merchandise within concepts, and expanding or reducing the size of various departments in response to changing conditions is an important part of its merchandising strategy.

Merchandise Presentation. BBB has developed a distinctive style of merchandise presentation. Primarily all of the BBB stores have groups of related product lines presented together in separate areas of each store, creating the appearance that the store is comprised of several individual specialty stores for different product lines. BBB believes that its format of merchandise presentation makes it easy for customers to locate products, reinforces customer perception of wide selection and communicates to customers that its stores offer a level of customer service generally associated with smaller specialty stores.

BBB believes that its extensive merchandise selection, rather than fixturing, should be the focus of customer attention and, accordingly, primarily uses simple modular fixturing throughout its stores. This fixturing is primarily designed so that it can be easily reconfigured to adapt to changes in the store’s merchandise mix and presentation. BBB believes that its merchandise displays create an exciting and attractive shopping environment that encourages impulse purchases of additional items.

Advertising. In general, the Company relies on “word of mouth advertising,” its reputation for offering a wide assortment of quality merchandise at everyday low prices and the use of paid advertising. The Company distributes full-color circulars and other advertising pieces as its primary vehicles of paid advertising via direct mail or inserts. Also, to support the opening of new stores, the Company primarily uses “grand opening” direct mail and newspaper advertising.

Customer Service. The Company places a strong focus on customer service and seeks to make shopping at its stores as pleasant and convenient as possible. Most stores are open seven days and six evenings a week in order to enable customers to shop at times that are convenient for them. In addition, the Company’s websites, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, www.christmastreeshops.com, www.harmondiscount.com, www.facevalues.com and www.buybuybaby.com are available for customers to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Suppliers

In fiscal 2008, the Company purchased its merchandise from approximately 5,600 suppliers with the Company’s largest supplier accounting for approximately 3% of the Company’s merchandise purchases and the Company’s 10 largest suppliers accounting for approximately 18% of such purchases. The Company purchases substantially all of its merchandise in the United States, the majority from domestic sources and the balance from importers. The Company purchases a small amount of its merchandise directly from overseas sources. The Company has no long-term contracts for the purchase of merchandise. The Company believes that most merchandise, other than brand name goods, is available from a variety of sources and that most brand name goods can be replaced with comparable merchandise.

Warehousing

The Company’s merchandise displays allow a substantial amount of merchandise to be displayed on the sales floor at all times. Merchandise not displayed on the sales floor is typically stored in warehouse space within the store. In addition, the Company maintains twelve supplemental storage locations as well as three central distribution centers. The majority of the Company’s merchandise is directly shipped to stores from vendors through third party carriers and service providers; the remainder of the Company’s merchandise is shipped to stores through its distribution centers.

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In addition, the Company maintains three E-Service fulfillment centers.

Employees

As of February 28, 2009, the Company employed approximately 37,000 persons in full-time and part-time positions. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are very good and that the labor turnover rate among its management employees is lower than that generally experienced within the industry.

Seasonality

The Company exhibits less seasonality than many other retail businesses, although sales levels are generally higher in August, November and December, and generally lower in February and October.

Expansion Program

The Company is engaged in an ongoing expansion program involving the opening of new stores in both new and existing markets, the expansion or relocation of existing stores and the continuous review of strategic acquisitions. In the 17 year period from the beginning of fiscal 1992 to the end of fiscal 2008, the Company has grown from 34 stores to 1,037 stores. The Company’s 1,037 stores operate in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, including: 930 BBB stores operating in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada; 52 CTS stores operating in 13 states; 40 Harmon stores operating in three states; and 15 buybuy BABY stores operating in eight states. Total square footage grew from approximately 0.9 million square feet at the beginning of fiscal 1992 to approximately 32.1 million square feet at the end of fiscal 2008. During fiscal 2008, the Company opened a total of 67 new stores, including 49 BBB stores throughout the United States and Canada, 11 CTS stores, one Harmon store and six buybuy BABY stores, and closed one Harmon store, all of which resulted in the aggregate addition of approximately 1.9 million square feet of store space.

The Company intends to continue its expansion program and believes that the continued growth of the Company is dependent, in large part, on the success of this program. As part of its expansion program, the Company expects to open new stores and expand existing stores as opportunities arise. The Company opened its first international store in Canada in December 2007 and opened three additional Bed Bath & Beyond stores in Canada in fiscal 2008. Since May 2008, the Company, through a joint venture, operates two stores in Mexico under the name “Home & More.”  In addition, the Company continues to explore other international opportunities.

In determining where to open new stores, the Company evaluates a number of factors, including the availability of real estate, demographic information (such as data relating to income and education levels, age and occupation) and distribution. The Company has built its management structure with a view toward its expansion and believes that, as a result, it has the management depth necessary to support its anticipated expansion program.

Competition

The Company believes it is the preeminent retailer in its segment of the home goods industry, which is fragmented and highly competitive. In addition, the BBB stores compete with many different types of retail stores that sell many or most of the same products. Such competitors include: (i) department stores, which often carry many of the same product lines as the Company’s stores but do not typically have the same depth or breadth of product selection, (ii) specialty stores, which often have a depth of product selection but typically carry only a limited portion of the product lines carried by the Company’s stores, (iii) discount and mass merchandise stores and (iv) national chains. In addition, the Company’s stores compete, to a more limited extent, with factory outlet stores that typically offer limited quantities or limited lines of quality merchandise at discount prices.

Other retail chains continue to introduce new store concepts that include many of the product lines carried by the Company’s stores.

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There can be no assurance that the operation of store competitors will not have a material effect on the Company.

Tradenames and Service Marks

The Company uses the “Bed Bath & Beyond” name and logo and the “Beyond any store of its kind” tag line as service marks in connection with retail services. The Company has registered these marks and others, including names and logos of CTS, Harmon and buybuy BABY, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company also has registered or has applications pending with the trademark registries of several foreign countries, including having registered the “Bed Bath & Beyond” name and logo and the “Beyond any store of its kind” tag line in Canada. Management believes that its name recognition and service marks are important elements of the Company’s merchandising strategy.

Available Information

The Company makes available as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), free of charge, through its website, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, electronically filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors that may be outside the Company’s control. Such factors include the following:

General Economic Conditions

General economic factors that are beyond the Company’s control impact the Company’s forecasts and actual performance. These factors include housing markets, recession, inflation, deflation, consumer credit availability, consumer debt levels, fuel and energy costs, interest rates, tax rates and policy, unemployment trends, the impact of natural disasters and terrorist activities, conditions affecting the retail environment for the home and other matters that influence consumer spending. Changes in the economic climate have adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect the Company’s performance. See Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Competition and Pricing Pressures

The retail business is highly competitive. The Company competes for customers, associates, locations, merchandise, services and other important aspects of the business with many other local, regional and national retailers. Those competitors range from specialty retail stores to department stores and discounters. Unanticipated changes in the pricing and other practices of those competitors, including promotional activity, may adversely affect the Company’s performance.

Consumer Preferences and Demographic Factors

The Company’s success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing merchandise trends, customer demands and demographics. The Company’s failure to anticipate, identify or react appropriately to changes in customer tastes, preferences, spending patterns and other lifestyle decisions could lead to, among other things, excess inventories or a shortage of products and could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

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Unusual Weather Patterns

The Company’s operating results could be negatively impacted by unusual weather patterns. Frequent or unusually heavy snow, ice or rain storms, hurricanes, floods, tornados or extended periods of unseasonable temperatures could adversely affect the Company’s performance.

Cost of Labor, Merchandise and Other Expenses

The Company’s success depends, in part, on our ability to manage operating costs and to look for opportunities to reduce costs. The Company’s ability to meet its labor needs while controlling costs is subject to external factors such as unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation and changing demographics. The Company’s ability to find qualified vendors and obtain access to products in a timely and efficient manner can be adversely affected by political instability, the financial instability of suppliers, suppliers’ noncompliance with applicable laws, transportation costs and other factors beyond the Company’s control.

Expansion Program

The Company’s growth depends, in part, on our ability to open new stores and operate profitably. Our ability to open additional stores successfully will depend on a number of factors, including our identification and availability of suitable store locations; our success in negotiating leases on acceptable terms; our hiring and training of skilled store operating personnel, especially management; and our timely development of new stores, including the availability of construction materials and labor and the absence of significant construction and other delays in store openings based on weather or other events. In addition, as our business continues to grow, we are subject to more complex regulations and may be the target of private actions alleging violations of such regulations. This increases the cost of doing business and the risk that our business practices could result in liabilities that may adversely affect the Company’s performance, despite the exercise of reasonable care.

Auction Rate Securities

As of February 28, 2009, the Company held approximately $216.6 million of net investments in auction rate securities. These securities are invested in preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds, which are required, pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, to maintain minimum asset coverage ratios of 200% and also are invested in securities collateralized by student loans which are currently more than 100% collateralized and with approximately 90% of such collateral in the aggregate being guaranteed by the United States government. None of the auction rate securities held by the Company are mortgage-backed debt obligations. Beginning in mid-February 2008 due to market conditions, the auction process for the Company’s auction rate securities failed and continues to fail. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities, but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities. All of these investments carry triple-A credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies and the Company believes that given their high credit quality, it will ultimately recover at par all amounts invested in these securities.

In October 2008, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) with the investment firm that sold the Company a portion of its auction rate securities which have a par value of approximately $43.2 million at February 28, 2009.  By entering into the Agreement, the Company (1) received the right (“Put Option”) to sell these auction rate securities back to the investment firm at par, at its sole discretion, anytime during the period from June 30, 2010 through July 2, 2012, and (2) gave the investment firm the right to purchase these auction rate securities or sell them on the Company’s behalf at par anytime after the execution of the Agreement through July 2, 2012. The Company anticipates that any future changes in the fair value of the Put Option will be offset by the changes in the fair value of the related auction rate securities with no material impact to the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

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As of February 28, 2009, the remainder of the Company’s investment in auction rate securities of approximately $176.0 million at par had a temporary valuation adjustment of approximately $2.6 million to reflect their current lack of liquidity. Since this valuation adjustment is deemed to be temporary it was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit of approximately $1.0 million, and did not affect the Company’s earnings for fiscal 2008. The Company does not anticipate that any potential lack of liquidity in these auction rate securities, even for an extended period of time, will affect its ability to finance its operations, including its expansion program and planned capital expenditures. However, if the interest rate environment changes, the Company may incur further temporary impairment losses. If uncertainties in the credit and capital markets continue and these markets deteriorate further, the Company may conclude that the decline in value is other than temporary and incur realized losses, including up to the full amount of the investments in auction rate securities, which could negatively affect the Company’s financial condition, cash flow and results of operations. The classification and valuation of these securities will continue to be reviewed quarterly.

Review of Equity Grants and Procedures and Related Matters

In June 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed a special committee of independent directors with authority, among other things, to conduct an investigation with respect to the setting of exercise prices for employee stock options and related matters. The review identified various deficiencies in the process of granting and documenting stock options and restricted shares. As a result of the deficiencies, the Company revised the measurement dates for various option grants. Counsel to the special committee notified the SEC of the review. Following such self-reporting, the SEC Staff commenced an informal inquiry and the United States Attorney’s office for the District of New Jersey commenced an inquiry regarding these matters. During fiscal 2007, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey concluded its inquiry and indicated it will take no further action related to this matter. During the fiscal first quarter of 2009, the SEC Division of Enforcement informed the Company that it concluded its inquiry and was recommending that no enforcement action be taken with respect to this matter.

The Company’s past stock option granting procedures have exposed the Company to risk factors that could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s business and financial condition, including any tax implications relating to the Company’s stock option grants.

ITEM 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

Most of the Company’s stores are located in suburban areas of medium and large-sized cities. These stores are situated in strip and power strip shopping centers, as well as in major off-price and conventional malls, and in free standing buildings.

The Company’s 1,037 stores are located in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada and range in size from approximately 5,000 to 100,000 square feet, but are predominantly between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet. Approximately 85% to 90% of store space is used for selling areas and the balance for warehouse, receiving and office space.

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The table below sets forth the locations of the Company’s stores as of February 28, 2009:

The Company leases primarily all of its existing stores. The leases provide for original lease terms that generally range from 10 to 20 years and certain leases provide for renewal options, often at increased rents. Certain leases provide for scheduled rent increases (which, in the case of fixed increases, the Company accounts for on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, beginning when the Company obtains possession of the premises) and/or for contingent rent (based upon store sales exceeding stipulated amounts).

In addition, the Company leases storage space in 15 locations, totaling approximately 1.1 million square feet, that provide supplemental merchandise storage space and fulfillment of BBB’s E-Service activities. This space is used to supplement the warehouse facilities in the Company’s stores in proximity to these locations. In addition, the Company also owns two distribution centers totaling approximately 1.5 million square feet.

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As of February 28, 2009, the Company occupied approximately 340,000 square feet of office space at four locations for procurement and corporate office functions.  Leased facilities in Farmingdale and Garden City, New York comprise approximately 120,000 square feet with the remaining approximately 220,000 square feet within owned facilities in Union, New Jersey and Middleboro, Massachusetts.  In addition, the Company owns a building in Union, New Jersey next to the corporate office location to support its continuing headquarters growth.

ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During fiscal 2006, a series of purported derivative actions were filed in courts in New York and New Jersey naming several officers and the directors of the Company as defendants and making allegations concerning alleged historical options backdating practices at the Company. By the end of fiscal 2007, all of these cases were dismissed and in all but one case, Wandel v. Eisenberg, et al., no appeals were taken. During the fiscal fourth quarter of 2008, the appeal in Wandel v. Eisenberg, et al was decided in favor of the Company by the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, First Department.

The Company is, in addition, party to various other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which the Company does not believe to be material to the Company’s business or financial condition.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders through solicitation of proxies or otherwise during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth the name, age and business experience of the Executive Officers of the Registrant:

Warren Eisenberg is a Co-Founder of the Company and has served as Co-Chairman since 1999. He has served as a Director since 1971. Mr. Eisenberg served as Chairman from 1992 to 1999, and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer from 1971 to 2003.

Leonard Feinstein is a Co-Founder of the Company and has served as Co-Chairman since 1999. He has served as a Director since 1971. Mr. Feinstein served as President from 1992 to 1999, and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer from 1971 to 2003.

Steven H. Temares has been Chief Executive Officer since 2003 and has served as a Director since 1999. Mr. Temares was President and Chief Executive Officer from 2003 to 2006, President and Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2003 and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Temares joined the Company in 1992.

Arthur Stark has been President and Chief Merchandising Officer since 2006. Mr. Stark has served as Chief Merchandising Officer since 1999 and was a Senior Vice President from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Stark joined the Company in 1977.

Matthew Fiorilli has been Senior Vice President - Stores since 1999. Mr. Fiorilli joined the Company in 1973.

Eugene A. Castagna has been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2006. Mr. Castagna served as Assistant Treasurer from 2002 to 2006 and as Vice President - Finance from 2000 to 2006. Mr. Castagna is a certified public accountant and joined the Company in 1994.

The Company’s executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors for one-year terms and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. No family relationships exist between any of the executive officers or directors of the Company.

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PART II

ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The following table sets forth the high and low reported closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ National Market System for the periods indicated.

The common stock is quoted through the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol BBBY. On March 28, 2009, there were approximately 5,600 shareholders of record of the common stock (without including individual participants in nominee security position listings). On March 28, 2009, the last reported sale price of the common stock was $25.00.

The Company has not paid cash dividends on its common stock since its 1992 initial public offering and does not currently plan to pay dividends on its common stock. The payment of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions and other factors. See Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The Company’s purchases of its common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 were as follows:

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(1) Between December 2004 and September 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $2.950 billion of its shares of common stock. The Company was authorized to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. Shares purchased indicated in this table also include the withholding of a portion of restricted shares to cover taxes on vested restricted shares.

(2) Excludes brokerage commissions paid by the Company.

Stock Price Performance Graph

The graph shown below compares the performance of the Company’s common stock with that of the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Specialty Retail Index and the S&P Retail Composite Index over the same period (assuming the investment of $100 in the Company’s common stock and each of the three Indexes on February 28, 2004, and the reinvestment of all dividends).

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ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(1) Each fiscal year represents 52 weeks, except for fiscal 2006 (ended March 3, 2007) which represents 53 weeks.

(2) On March 22, 2007, the Company acquired Buy Buy BABY, Inc.

(3) The Company has not declared any cash dividends in any of the fiscal years noted above.

(4) In fiscal 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company repurchased approximately $48 million, $734 million, $301 million, $598 million and $350 million of its common stock, respectively.

(5) In fiscal 2006, the Company adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” resulting in a one-time net reduction to Shareholders’ equity. See Note 3 in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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OVERVIEW

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a chain of retail stores, operating under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops (“CTS”), Harmon and Harmon Face Values (“Harmon”) and buybuy BABY. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise principally including domestics merchandise and home furnishings as well as food, giftware, health and beauty care items and infant and toddler merchandise. The Company’s objective is to be a customer’s first choice for products and services in the categories offered, in the markets in which the Company operates.

The Company’s strategy is to achieve this objective through excellent customer service, an extensive breadth and depth of assortment, everyday low prices, introduction of new merchandising offerings and development of its infrastructure.

Operating in the highly competitive retail industry, the Company, along with other retail companies, is influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions including the housing market, fuel costs, and the overall macroeconomic environment, unusual weather patterns, consumer preferences and spending habits, competition from existing and potential competitors, and the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs to support the Company’s expansion program.

The difficult conditions affecting the overall macroeconomic environment continued to impact the retail sector in general and the Company. The Company believes factors such as the increase in the unemployment rate and issues specific to the housing industry, including a decline in home values in conjunction with a downward trend in home sales, have negatively impacted consumer confidence and the level of discretionary spending by consumers, resulting in an adverse impact on the Company’s net sales, net earnings and operating cash flows. The Company cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which these economic conditions will change.

Recently, a number of businesses in the retail industry, including a significant competitor of the Company, have announced their liquidations. The Company’s results have been impacted and may continue to be impacted by these liquidations, including those within its sector of retailing. The Company believes this continued industry consolidation will provide an opportunity to gain market share and to improve its competitive position over the long term; however, the Company cannot, with any level of certainty, estimate the impact these liquidations will have on its future results of operations.

In light of the risks posed by the current macroeconomic environment, the Company continues to work to systematically review all expenditures with the goal of prudently managing its business. At the same time, the Company remains committed to making the required investments in its infrastructure to help position the Company for continued success. The Company continues to scrutinize and prioritize its capital needs while continuing to make investments, principally for new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects whose impact is considered as important to its future.

The following represents an overview of the Company’s financial performance for the periods indicated:

·                  Net sales in fiscal 2008 (fifty-two weeks) increased approximately 2.3% to $7.208 billion; net sales in fiscal 2007 (fifty-two weeks) increased approximately 6.5% to $7.049 billion over net sales of $6.617 billion in fiscal 2006 (fifty-three weeks).

·                  Comparable store sales for fiscal 2008 decreased by approximately 2.4% as compared with an increase of approximately 1.0% and 4.9% in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Comparable store sales percentages are calculated based on an equivalent number of weeks for each annual period.

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A store is considered a comparable store when it has been open for twelve full months following its grand opening period (typically four to six weeks). Stores relocated or expanded are excluded from comparable store sales if the change in square footage would cause meaningful disparity in sales over the prior period. In the case of a store to be closed, such store’s sales are not considered comparable once the store closing process has commenced. Since the first quarter of fiscal 2008, buybuy BABY has been included in the Company’s comparable store sales calculation.

·                  Gross profit for fiscal 2008 was $2.873 billion or 39.9% of net sales compared with $2.925 billion or 41.5% of net sales for fiscal 2007 and $2.835 billion or 42.8% of net sales for fiscal 2006.

·                  Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for fiscal 2008 were $2.199 billion or 30.5% of net sales compared with $2.087 billion or 29.6% of net sales for fiscal 2007 and $1.946 billion or 29.4% of net sales for fiscal 2006.

·                  The effective tax rate was 37.8%, 35.0% and 36.3% for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The changes in the effective tax rate between fiscal 2008, fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 are due to the recognition of certain discrete tax items in each respective fiscal year.

·                  Net earnings for the fiscal year (fifty-two weeks) ended February 28, 2009 were $1.64 per diluted share ($425.1 million), compared to fiscal 2007 (fifty-two weeks) net earnings of $2.10 per diluted share ($562.8 million) and fiscal 2006 (fifty-three weeks) net earnings of $2.09 per diluted share ($594.2 million). Net earnings per diluted share include the impact of the Company’s repurchases of its common stock.

During fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s capital expenditures were $215.9 million, $358.2 million and $317.5 million.  Included in fiscal 2007’s capital expenditures were costs associated with a new distribution center and a new E-service fulfillment center to support the Company’s growth.

Since May 2008, the Company, through a joint venture, operates two stores in Mexico under the name “Home & More.”  The cost of investment in the joint venture totaled approximately $4.8 million, including fees.

The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long-term objectives. In fiscal 2009, the Company expects to open approximately 50 to 54 new stores, including approximately 35 BBB stores throughout the United States and Canada, approximately six to eight CTS stores, approximately eight to ten buybuy BABY stores and one Harmon store.  During fiscal 2008, the Company opened a total of 67 new stores, including 49 BBB stores throughout the United States and Canada, 11 CTS stores, one Harmon store and six buybuy BABY stores and closed one Harmon store.  The Company currently has no outstanding bank borrowings, and for fiscal 2009, expects its operations to be entirely funded from internally generated sources.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated (i) selected statement of earnings data of the Company expressed as a percentage of net sales and (ii) the percentage change in dollar amounts from the prior year in selected statement of earnings data:

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Net Sales

Net sales in fiscal 2008 (fifty-two weeks) increased $159.4 million to $7.208 billion, representing an increase of 2.3% over $7.049 billion of net sales in fiscal 2007 (fifty-two weeks), which increased $431.5 million or 6.5% over the $6.617 billion of net sales in fiscal 2006 (fifty-three weeks). For fiscal 2008, the increase in net sales was generated by the Company’s new store sales increase of 4.6% partially offset by the decrease in comparable store sales. For fiscal 2007, approximately 82% of the increase in net sales was attributable to an increase in the Company’s new store sales, 26% of the increase was attributable to the acquisition of buybuy BABY, 15% of the increase was attributable to the increase in comparable store sales, all partially offset by 23% as a result of an additional week of sales in fiscal 2006.

For fiscal 2008, comparable store sales for 874 stores represented $6.746 billion of net sales; for fiscal 2007, comparable store sales for 792 stores represented $6.457 billion of net sales; and for fiscal 2006, comparable store sales for 683 stores represented $6.069 billion of net sales. For fiscal 2008, the decrease in comparable store sales was approximately 2.4%. Net sales and comp sales continued to be negatively affected by the economic slowdown including issues specific to the housing industry and the liquidation sales of a number of retailers, including a significant competitor.  For fiscal 2007, the increase in comparable store sales was approximately 1.0%. This increase reflected the continued consumer acceptance of the Company’s merchandise offerings and advertising programs, but was negatively affected by the economic slowdown, in general, and by issues specific to the housing and mortgage industries in particular. In those areas of the Country that were reported to be the most significantly affected by these issues, notably Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada, sales were noticeably weaker than in less affected areas.

Sales of domestics merchandise accounted for approximately 43%, 44% and 46% of net sales in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, of which the Company estimates that bed linens accounted for approximately 13%, 14% and 15% of net sales in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The remaining net sales in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 of 57%, 56% and 54%, respectively, represented sales of home furnishings and other items. No other individual product category accounted for 10% or more of net sales during fiscal 2008, 2007 or 2006.

Gross Profit

Gross profit in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $2.873 billion or 39.9% of net sales, $2.925 billion or 41.5% of net sales and $2.835 billion or 42.8% of net sales, respectively.

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The decrease in gross profit between fiscal 2008 and 2007 as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to an increase in inventory acquisition costs, an increase in coupon redemptions and the shift in the mix of merchandise sold as the Company continues to experience a higher percentage of sales of home furnishings. The decrease in gross profit between fiscal 2007 and 2006 as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to an increase in coupon redemptions associated with a heightened promotional environment, an increase in inventory acquisition costs and the shift in the mix of merchandise sold, as the Company continued to experience a higher percentage of sales of home furnishings.

Selling, General and Administrative expenses

SG&A was $2.199 billion or 30.5% of net sales in fiscal 2008, $2.087 billion or 29.6% of net sales in fiscal 2007 and $1.946 billion or 29.4% of net sales in fiscal 2006.  The increase in SG&A between fiscal 2008 and 2007 as a percentage of net sales is primarily due to the 2.4% decline in comparable store sales, resulting in relative increases in occupancy costs (including rent, depreciation and real estate taxes), as well as relative increases in payroll-related items (including salaries and benefits). Also contributing to the increase in SG&A as a percentage of net sales were relative increases in advertising expenses, including increases in postage, paper and other production costs. The increase in SG&A between fiscal 2007 and 2006 as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a relative increase in advertising expense as a result of increased distributions of advertising pieces in response to the heightened promotional environment and a relative increase in occupancy costs and other expenses, partially offset by a relative decrease in payroll and payroll related items (including a non-recurring pre-tax charge of $30 million in fiscal 2006 related to the Company’s remediation program intended to protect its employees from certain adverse tax consequences arising pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A).

Operating Profit

Operating profit for fiscal 2008 was $673.9 million or 9.3% of net sales, $838.0 million or 11.9% of net sales in fiscal 2007 and $889.4 million or 13.4% of net sales in fiscal 2006. The year over year decreases in operating profit as a percentage of net sales were a result of changes in gross profit and SG&A, as discussed above.

Interest Income

Interest income in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $9.4 million, $27.2 million and $43.5 million, respectively. Interest income decreased in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 primarily as a result of lower interest rates. Interest income decreased in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 primarily as a result of lower cash balances principally due to share repurchase activity in fiscal 2007.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 37.8% for fiscal 2008, 35.0% for fiscal 2007 and 36.3% for fiscal 2006. For fiscal 2008, the tax rate included an approximate $0.8 million benefit primarily due to the recognition of certain discrete tax items and the changing of the blended state tax rate of deferred income taxes.  For fiscal 2007, the tax rate included an approximate $21.6 million benefit primarily due to the effective settlement of certain discrete tax items from ongoing examinations, the recognition of favorable discrete state tax items and from changing the blended state tax rate of deferred income taxes.

The Company expects that Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) will continue to create volatility in the effective tax rate from year to year because the Company is required each year to determine whether new information changes the assessment of both the probability that a tax position will effectively be sustained and the appropriateness of the amount of recognized benefit.

EXPANSION PROGRAM

The Company is engaged in an ongoing expansion program involving the opening of new stores in both new and existing markets, the expansion or relocation of existing stores and the continuous review of strategic acquisitions.

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In the 17 year period from the beginning of fiscal 1992 to the end of fiscal 2008, the chain has grown from 34 to 1,037 stores. Total square footage grew from 0.9 million square feet at the beginning of fiscal 1992 to 32.1 million square feet at the end of fiscal 2008. During fiscal 2008, the Company opened a total of 67 new stores, including 49 BBB stores throughout the United States and Canada, 11 CTS stores, one Harmon store and six buybuy BABY stores, and closed one Harmon store, all of which resulted in the aggregate addition of approximately 1.9 million square feet of store space.  The Company opened its first international BBB store in Ontario, Canada in December 2007 and opened three additional stores in Canada during fiscal 2008.   Since May 2008, the Company, through a joint venture, operates two stores in Mexico under the name “Home & More.”

The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long-term objectives. In fiscal 2009, the Company expects to open approximately 50 to 54 new stores, including approximately 35 BBB stores throughout the United States and Canada, approximately six to eight CTS stores, approximately eight to ten buybuy BABY stores and one Harmon store.  The Company currently has no outstanding bank borrowings, and for fiscal 2009, expects its operations to be entirely funded from internally generated sources.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Fiscal 2008 compared to Fiscal 2007

The Company has been able to finance its operations, including its expansion program, through internally generated funds. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2008 was $584.0 million, compared with $614.5 million in fiscal 2007. Year over year, the Company experienced a decrease in cash provided by net earnings, partially offset by lower cash used for the net components of working capital (primarily income taxes payable and merchandise inventories offset by merchandise credit and gift card liabilities and accrued expenses and other current liabilities).

Inventory per square foot was $51.24 as of February 28, 2009, a decrease of approximately 4.4% from $53.58 as of March 1, 2008. The Company continues to focus on optimizing inventory productivity while maintaining appropriate in-store merchandise levels to support sales.

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2008 was $113.1 million, compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $101.7 million in fiscal 2007.  In fiscal 2008, net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to $215.9 million of capital expenditures partially offset by $107.6 million of redemptions of investment securities. In fiscal 2007, net cash provided by investing activities was due to $545.8 million of redemptions of investment securities, net of purchases, partially offset by $358.2 million of capital expenditures and $85.9 million in payment for the acquisition of buybuy BABY.

Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2008 was $26.8 million, compared with $705.5 million in fiscal 2007. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in common stock repurchases in the current year.

Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006

Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2007 was $614.5 million, compared with $613.6 million in fiscal 2006. Year over year, the Company experienced an increase in cash provided by net earnings, as adjusted for non-cash expenses (primarily deferred taxes and depreciation), which was offset by a decrease in the net components of working capital (primarily decreases in accounts payable and income taxes offset by an increase in merchandise inventories).

Inventory per square foot was $53.58 and $54.18 as of March 1, 2008 and March 3, 2007, respectively.

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Net cash provided by investing activities in fiscal 2007 was $101.7 million, compared with net cash used in investing activities of $397.7 million in fiscal 2006. The increase in net cash provided by investing activities was attributable to an increase in the redemptions of investment securities, net of purchases, that was partially offset by the payment of $85.9 million for the acquisition of buybuy BABY and an increase in capital expenditures to $358.2 million in fiscal 2007 from $317.5 million in fiscal 2006.

Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2007 was $705.5 million, compared with $250.3 million in fiscal 2006. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to common stock repurchased of $734.2 million in fiscal 2007 compared to $301.0 million in fiscal 2006 under the Company’s stock repurchase program.

Auction Rate Securities

As of February 28, 2009, the Company held approximately $216.6 million of net investments in auction rate securities. Beginning in mid-February 2008 due to current market conditions, the auction process for the Company’s auction rate securities failed and continues to fail. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities. All of these investments carry triple-A credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies and the Company believes that given their high credit quality, it will ultimately recover at par all amounts invested in these securities.

During fiscal 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with the investment firm that sold the Company a portion of its auction rate securities to redeem at par approximately $43.2 million of these securities.  This agreement provides for, among other things, the option to redeem these securities at par during fiscal 2010.  The Company recorded a net pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment loss of approximately $1.8 million related to these securities and also recorded $1.8 million of pre-tax income to reflect the fair value of the option to redeem these securities at par value.  This resulted in no impact on the Company’s net earnings for fiscal 2008 and the Company anticipates that any future changes in the fair value of the related auction rate securities will be offset by the changes in the fair value of the option with no material impact to the Company’s net earnings.

The remainder of approximately $176.0 million of these securities at par had a temporary valuation adjustment of approximately $2.6 million to reflect their current lack of liquidity. Since this valuation adjustment is deemed to be temporary, it was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit of approximately $1.0 million, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings for fiscal 2008.

The Company does not anticipate that any potential lack of liquidity in its auction rate securities, even for an extended period of time, will affect its ability to finance its operations, including its expansion program and planned capital expenditures. The Company continues to monitor efforts by the financial markets to find alternative means for restoring the liquidity of these investments. These investments are primarily classified as non-current assets until the Company has better visibility as to when their liquidity will be restored. The classification and valuation of these securities will continue to be reviewed quarterly.

During fiscal 2008, approximately $107.6 million of auction rate securities were redeemed at par. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2008 through April 20, 2009, the Company additionally redeemed approximately $1.1 million at par.

Other Fiscal 2008 Information

At February 28, 2009, the Company maintained two uncommitted lines of credit of $100 million each, with expiration dates of September 3, 2009 and February 26, 2010, respectively. These uncommitted lines of credit are currently and are expected to be used for letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under these uncommitted lines of credit, the Company can obtain unsecured standby letters of credit. During fiscal 2008, the Company did not have any direct borrowings under the uncommitted lines of credit. As of February 28, 2009, there was approximately $7.1 million of outstanding letters of credit and approximately $45.5 million of outstanding unsecured standby letters of credit, primarily for certain insurance programs. Although no assurances can be provided, the Company intends to renew both uncommitted lines of credit before the respective expiration dates.

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The Company believes that during fiscal 2009, internally generated funds will be sufficient to fund its operations, including its expansion program and planned capital expenditures.

Between December 2004 and September 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $2.950 billion of its shares of common stock.  The Company was authorized to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. The Company has approximately $919 million remaining of authorized share repurchases as of February 28, 2009. The execution of the Company’s current share repurchase program will consider current business and market conditions, including but not limited to, the liquidity of its auction rate security investments.

The Company has contractual obligations consisting mainly of operating leases for stores, offices, warehouse facilities and equipment, purchase obligations and other long-term liabilities which the Company is obligated to pay as of February 28, 2009 as follows:

(1)  The amounts presented represent the future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases. In addition to minimum rent, certain of the Company’s leases require the payment of additional costs for insurance, maintenance and other costs. These additional amounts are not included in the table of contractual commitments as the timing and/or amounts of such payments are not known. As of February 28, 2009, the Company has leased sites for 41 new stores planned for opening in fiscal 2009 or 2010, for which aggregate minimum rental payments over the term of the leases are approximately $229.9 million and are included in the table above.

(2)  Purchase obligations primarily consist of purchase orders for merchandise and capital expenditures.

(3)  Amounts recorded as deferred rent and other liabilities and income taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 28, 2009 have been reflected only in the Total column in the table above as the timing and/or amount of any cash payment is uncertain. Deferred rent and other liabilities are primarily comprised of deferred rent, workers’ compensation and general liability reserves and various other accruals.

SEASONALITY

The Company exhibits less seasonality than many other retail businesses, although sales levels are generally higher in August, November and December, and generally lower in February and October.

INFLATION

The Company does not believe that its operating results have been materially affected by inflation during the past year. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s operating results will not be affected by inflation in the future.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48. FIN 48 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under FIN 48, a company may recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position.

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The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. FIN 48 also provided guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures.

On March 4, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48 and recognized a $13.1 million increase to retained earnings to reflect the change to its liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits as required. The Company also recorded additional gross unrecognized tax benefits, and corresponding higher deferred tax assets, of $35.6 million as a result of the adoption.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)  No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 157-2, a one-year deferral of SFAS No. 157’s fair value measurement requirements for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not required or permitted to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. In October 2008, the FASB also issued FSP No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active.”  This FSP clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that asset is not active.  FSP No. 157-3 was effective upon issuance.  On March 2, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 and subsequently adopted FSP No. 157-3.  The adoption of SFAS No. 157 and FSP No. 157-3 for the Company’s financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.  The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 as it pertains to non-financial assets and liabilities to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (the “fair value option”). If the fair value option is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the item must be recognized in earnings and cannot be deferred, e.g. debt issue costs. The fair value election is irrevocable and may generally be made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, even if a company has similar instruments that it elects not to fair value. At the adoption date, unrealized gains and losses on existing items for which fair value has been elected are reported as a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings. On March 2, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159 which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date fair value. SFAS No. 141R determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not permitted.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-An Amendment of FASB Statement 133.”  SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133; and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Company does not believe SFAS No. 161 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the presentation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  SFAS 162 became effective on November 15, 2008.  The adoption of SFAS No. 162 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 132(R)-1, “Employers Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets.”  FSP No. 132(R)-1 amends SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits — an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88 and 106.  FSP No. 132(R)-1 requires more detailed disclosures about the assets of a defined benefit pension or other post retirement plan. FSP No. 132(R)-1 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009.  The Company does not believe FSP No. 132(R)-1 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

REVIEW OF EQUITY GRANTS AND PROCEDURES AND RELATED MATTERS IN FISCAL 2006

In June 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed a special committee of independent directors with authority, among other things, to conduct an investigation with respect to the setting of exercise prices for employee stock options and related matters. The review identified various deficiencies in the process of granting and documenting stock options and restricted shares. As a result of the deficiencies, the Company revised the measurement dates for various option grants.

As a result of revised measurement dates for certain stock option grants, and the correction of various other errors, the Company determined that it had certain unrecorded non-cash equity-based compensation charges of $61.8 million, including related tax items related to fiscal years prior to 2006. In accordance with the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company decreased beginning retained earnings for fiscal 2006 by $61.8 million within the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s Board of Directors also approved a remediation program intended to protect over 1,600 employees from certain potential adverse tax consequences. These adverse tax consequences arise pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A as a result of historical deficiencies associated with certain of the Company’s stock option grants that were disclosed through the Company’s stock option review. As a result of this program, the Company made cash payments totaling approximately $30.0 million to over 1,600 employees in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, which resulted in a non-recurring, pre-tax stock-based compensation charge. The cash outlay primarily represented payments to employees in connection with increasing the exercise prices on certain stock option grants so as to protect them from certain potential adverse tax consequences. No executive officer received such payments. The Company believes it is likely the Company will recoup a substantial portion of the anticipated cash outlay over the next several years through higher proceeds from future stock option exercises, although this recovery would not flow through the income statement.

Counsel to the special committee notified the SEC of the review. Following such self-reporting, the SEC Staff commenced an informal inquiry and the United States Attorney’s office for the District of New Jersey commenced an inquiry regarding these matters.

During fiscal 2007, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey concluded its inquiry and indicated it will take no further action related to this matter. During the fiscal first quarter of 2009, the SEC Division of Enforcement informed the Company that it concluded its inquiry and was recommending that no enforcement action be taken with respect to this matter.

The Company’s past stock option granting procedures have exposed the Company to risk factors that could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s business and financial condition, including any tax implications relating to the Company’s stock option grants.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to establish accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that it believes to be relevant under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. In particular, judgment is used in areas such as inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and other indefinitely lived intangible assets, accruals for self insurance, litigation, store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

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Inventory Valuation: Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs for BBB and Harmon are calculated using the weighted average retail inventory method and inventory costs for CTS are calculated using the first in first out cost method.  Beginning on March 2, 2008 inventory costs for buybuy BABY are calculated using the weighted average retail inventory method, whereas previously, they were calculated using the first in first out cost method. The impact of the change in the method of accounting was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost to retail ratio to the retail values of inventories. The cost associated with determining the cost to retail ratio includes: merchandise purchases, net of returns to vendors, discounts and volume and incentive rebates; inbound freight expenses; duty, insurance and commissions.

At any one time, inventories include items that have been written down to the Company’s best estimate of their realizable value. Judgment is required in estimating realizable value and factors considered are the age of merchandise and anticipated demand. Actual realizable value could differ materially from this estimate based upon future customer demand or economic conditions.

The Company estimates its reserve for shrinkage throughout the year based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Actual shrinkage is recorded at year end based upon the results of the Company’s physical inventory counts for locations at which counts were conducted.  For locations where physical inventory counts were not conducted in the fiscal year, an estimated shrink reserve is recorded based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable.  Historically, the Company’s shrinkage has not been volatile.

The Company accrues for merchandise in transit once it takes legal ownership and title to the merchandise; as such, an estimate for merchandise in transit is included in the Company’s merchandise inventories.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet. The Company has not historically recorded an impairment to its long-lived assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Goodwill and Other Indefinitely Lived Intangible Assets: The Company reviews goodwill and other intangibles that have indefinite lives for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. Impairment testing is based upon the best information available including estimates of fair value which incorporate assumptions marketplace participants would use in making their estimates of fair value. The Company has not historically recorded an impairment to its goodwill and other indefinitely lived intangible assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that an asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Self Insurance: The Company utilizes a combination of insurance and self insurance for a number of risks including workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability and employee related health care benefits (a portion of which is paid by its employees). Liabilities associated with the risks that the Company retains are estimated by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Although the Company’s claims experience has not displayed substantial volatility in the past, actual experience could materially vary from its historical experience in the future. Factors that affect these estimates include but are not limited to: inflation, the number and severity of claims and regulatory changes. In the future, if the Company concludes an adjustment to self insurance accruals is required, the liability will be adjusted accordingly.

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Litigation: The Company records an estimated liability related to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business which is based on available information and advice from outside counsel, where appropriate. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to such claims and legal actions and revises its estimates, as appropriate. The ultimate resolution of these ongoing matters as a result of future developments could have a material impact on the Company’s earnings. The Company cannot predict the nature and validity of claims which could be asserted in the future, and future claims could have a material impact on its earnings.

Store Opening, Expansion, Relocation and Closing Costs: Store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, including markdowns, asset residual values and projected occupancy costs, are charged to earnings as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation: Under SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R), the Company uses a Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock options.  The Black-Scholes model includes various assumptions, including the expected life of stock options, the expected risk free interest rate and the expected volatility. These assumptions reflect the Company’s best estimates, but they involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions generally outside the control of the Company.  As a result, if other assumptions had been used, total stock-based compensation cost, as determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, could have been materially impacted.  Furthermore, if the Company uses different assumptions for future grants, stock-based compensation cost could be materially impacted in future periods.

The Company determines its assumptions for the Black-Scholes option-pricing model in accordance with SFAS No. 123R and/or SAB No. 107, “Share-Based Payment”.

·                  The expected life of stock options is estimated based on historical experience.

·                  The expected risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options.

·                  Commencing with fiscal 2008, the Company changed its methodology for expected volatility to be based on the average of historical and implied volatility.  In changing its methodology, the Company considered, among other factors, the current events affecting the market environment at the date of grant and consistency by utilizing implied volatility as a component of its current methodology.  The Company believes this approach more closely reflects what marketplace participants would likely use when considering the market environment to determine the expected volatility for the Company’s stock options (which vest over 3-7 years) on the date of grant.  The historical volatility is determined by observing actual prices of the Company’s stock over a period commensurate with the expected life of the awards.  The implied volatility represents the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which are actively traded on multiple exchanges, had remaining maturities in excess of twelve months, had market prices close to the exercise prices of the employee stock options and were measured on the stock option grant date.  For fiscal 2007 and 2006, the expected volatility was based solely on the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which had the same attributes as described above.

The Company is required to record stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures.  The Company’s forfeiture rate assumption used in determining its stock-based compensation expense is estimated based on historical data.  The actual forfeiture rate could differ from these estimates.

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for its income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

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The Company intends to reinvest the unremitted earnings of its Canadian subsidiary. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. or additional non-U.S. taxes with respect to these earnings.  In the event of repatriation to the U.S., such earnings would be subject to U.S. income taxes in most cases.

During the fiscal first quarter of 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48. Under FIN 48, the Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.

The Company expects that FIN 48 will continue to create volatility in the effective tax rate from quarter to quarter because the Company is required each quarter to determine whether new information changes the assessment of both the probability that a tax position will effectively be sustained and the appropriateness of the amount of recognized benefit.

Judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Additionally, the Company’s tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-K and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors that may be outside the Company’s control. Such factors include, without limitation: general economic conditions including the housing market, fuel costs, and a declining overall macroeconomic environment; changes in the retailing environment and consumer preferences and spending habits; demographics and other macroeconomic factors that may impact the level of spending for the types of merchandise sold by the Company; unusual weather patterns; competition from existing and potential competitors; competition from other channels of distribution; pricing pressures; the cost of labor, merchandise and other costs and expenses; the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs to support the Company’s expansion program; the impact of failed auctions for auction rate securities held by the Company; and matters arising out of or related to the Company’s stock option grants and procedures and related matters, including any tax implications relating to the Company’s stock option grants.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.  The SEC Division of Enforcement has concluded its inquiry with respect to matters arising out of and related to the Company’s historical stock option grants and procedures and related matters and has advised the Company that the Division is recommending no enforcement action be taken related to this matter.

ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As of February 28, 2009, the Company’s investments include cash and cash equivalents of $668.2 million, short term investment securities of $2.0 million and long term investment securities of $221.1 million at weighted average interest rates of 0.2%, 0.9% and 0.9%, respectively.

As of February 28, 2009, the Company held approximately $216.6 million of net investments in auction rate securities. In mid-February 2008, these investments began experiencing failed auctions, and due to current market conditions, these failed auctions have continued. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities. All of these investments carry triple-A credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies and the Company believes that given their high credit quality, it will ultimately recover at par all amounts invested in these securities.

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During fiscal 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with the investment firm that sold the Company a portion of its auction rate securities to redeem at par approximately $43.2 million of these securities.  This agreement provides for, among other things, the option to redeem these securities at par during fiscal 2010.  The Company recorded a net pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment loss of approximately $1.8 million related to these securities and also recorded $1.8 million of pre-tax income to reflect the fair value of the option to redeem these securities at par value.  This resulted in no impact on the Company’s net earnings for fiscal 2008 and the Company anticipates that any future changes in the fair value of the related auction rate securities will be offset by the changes in the fair value of the option with no material impact to the Company’s net earnings.

The remainder of approximately $176.0 million of these securities at par had a temporary valuation adjustment of approximately $2.6 million to reflect their current lack of liquidity. Since this valuation adjustment is deemed to be temporary, it was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit of approximately $1.0 million, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings for fiscal 2008.

The Company does not anticipate that any potential lack of liquidity in its auction rate securities, even for an extended period of time, will affect its ability to finance its operations, including its expansion program and planned capital expenditures. The Company continues to monitor efforts by the financial markets to find alternative means for restoring the liquidity of these investments. However, if the interest rate environment changes, the Company may incur further temporary impairment losses. If uncertainties in the credit and capital markets continue and these markets deteriorate further, the Company may conclude that the decline in value is other than temporary and incur realized losses, including up to the full amount of the investments in auction rate securities, which could negatively affect the Company’s financial condition, cash flow and results of operations.

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ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following are included herein:

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BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries