It’s not exactly a secret that inflation has plagued consumers for years now.
Inflation started creeping upward in 2021 and hasn’t really let up since. Sure, it’s cooled since peaking in mid-2022.
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But all told, consumers are paying more money for just about everything these days. And they’re tired of it.
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Numerous surveys have shown that consumers are cutting back on non-essential spending to conserve funds. And the introduction of tariffs is only likely to fuel that trend.
If tariffs drive prices up even more across the board, consumers might have to cut their spending more drastically. And the fear is that this could lead to a full-blown recession.
Furniture giant opening 20 new stores.
Image source: Shutterstock
Consumers love a good discount
Even in the best of economic times, consumers tend to find themselves drawn to savings opportunities.
There’s something about a sale sign that makes people want to grab items off of shelves and throw them into a shopping cart.
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Consumers also tend to appreciate discounted products even more during periods of economic distress. And while we’re not exactly there yet, the fact of the matter is that a lot of people are more worried now about their finances than they were a year ago.
That gives discount retailers a prime opportunity to shine. And one retailer known for its competitive prices is taking advantage of the current economic climate by expanding its footprint.
Bob’s Discount Furniture is on a tear
If you’ve ever seen a commercial for Bob’s Discount Furniture, you may realize that this is not a place where you’re going to find high-end products.
But that’s okay. Bob’s isn’t trying to be fancy. If anything, the store is the opposite of pretentious.
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Bob’s is where you go to find a comfortable couch or a functional bedroom set. It’s not where you go to buy the sort of furniture that’s featured in design magazines.
And clearly, that formula is working for Bob’s.
At a time when consumers are more interested in saving money than having the trendiest products grace their homes, Bob’s is taking advantage of demand for low-cost furniture by expanding its store footprint.
Bob’s has already opened four new stores in 2025. It has plans to open another 16 before year’s end for a grand total of 20.
The new Bob’s stores will be rolling out in two waves — spring and summer/fall. For Spring, Bob’s will be opening stores in:
Roseville, Mich.;Bohemia, N.Y.; andMontgomeryville, Penn.
Later on in the year, Bob’s plans to introduce stores in these cities:
Long Island City (Queens), N.Y.;Eatontown, N.J.;Easton, Penn.;Williston, Vt.;Troy, Mich.;Dorchester, Mass.;Sacramento, Calif.;Durham, N.C.;Fayetteville, N.C.;Wilmington, N.C.;Jacksonville, N.C.Winston-Salem, N.C.; andCary, N.C.
“We are excited to see how these new markets embrace Bob’s low pressure, no-gimmick approach to furniture shopping,” said Ramesh Murthy, executive VP of operations at Bob’s Discount Furniture. “Our mission is simple: we believe everyone deserves a home they love. We will continue to look for opportunities in the Southeast and beyond to turn that belief into a reality for customers all across the U.S.”
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At a time when costs are up across the board, any retailer with the word “discount” in its name has the potential to thrive. And if the latest Bob’s expansion proves successful, we could see even more store openings planned for 2026.
