Bath & Body Works is a publicly traded speciality retail company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It is widely known for its body care products, scented candles, home fragrances, and hand soaps.
The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BBWI.
Founded in 1990, Bath & Body Works quickly became one of the most recognized personal care brands in the United States. For many years, it operated as part of L Brands (formerly Limited Brands). In 2021, Bath & Body Works became an independent, standalone public company after L Brands separated its Victoria’s Secret business.
Today, the company operates over 1,800 company-operated stores in the U.S. and Canada, along with international franchise locations across multiple countries. As of 2025, Bath & Body Works is led by CEO Gina Boswell, who oversees the company’s global retail and digital operations.
Ownership Status of Bath & Body Works
There is no single private owner of Bath & Body Works. Since it is publicly traded, ownership is distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders.
Ownership percentages change over time based on stock market activity and regulatory filings, including SEC Forms 13F, 13D, and 13G.
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Percentage (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Vanguard Group | ~12% | Major passive institutional investor through index funds (13F filings). |
| BlackRock, Inc. | ~10% | Holds shares through ETFs and mutual funds (13F filings). |
| State Street Corporation | ~5% | Institutional investor via SPDR ETFs and other funds. |
Note: The remaining shares are held by various institutional investors, mutual funds, and retail shareholders.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Bath & Body Works’ shareholder base mainly consists of large passive investment firms.
- The Vanguard Group holds one of the largest stakes, primarily through its index funds that track major U.S. stock indexes. It is considered a passive investor and does not typically engage in activist strategies.
- BlackRock, Inc. also owns a significant portion of shares through its iShares ETFs and actively managed funds. Like Vanguard, BlackRock is generally a long-term institutional investor.
- State Street Corporation holds shares through its SPDR ETF products, reflecting the company’s inclusion in major stock market indexes.
Because these investors manage funds on behalf of millions of clients, they collectively represent a broad base of public ownership rather than a single controlling individual.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Recent SEC filings show routine changes in institutional ownership as funds adjust their portfolios. These changes are generally driven by:
- Index rebalancing
- Fund inflows and outflows
- Portfolio strategy adjustments
There have been no major activist ownership battles or controlling shareholder changes reported recently. Bath & Body Works remains widely held by institutional investors.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of Bath & Body Works?
There is no single owner. Bath & Body Works is a publicly held company. Major shareholders include The Vanguard Group (~12%), BlackRock (~10%), and State Street (~5%), along with many other institutional and retail investors.
2. Is Bath & Body Works publicly traded or privately owned?
It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BBWI.
3. Who founded Bath & Body Works?
Bath & Body Works was founded in 1990. It originally operated under L Brands (formerly Limited Brands).
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Ownership percentages change regularly due to trading activity and institutional filings, but there has been no shift to a single controlling owner.
Bath & Body Works Official Site
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