Build-A-Bear Should Be Dead. So Why Is It Thriving?

In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack one of retail’s most unexpected survivors: Build-A-Bear. Build-A-Bear is a mall-based stuffed animal retailer in an AI-driven world – and yet it’s a profitable public company with rising stock performance.

We cover:

• What the company really sells – and how customization drives pricing power
• What the financials reveal about profitability and scale
• The next move: U.S. focus, international expansion, or partnerships

A sharp look at retail economics, defensibility, and what it actually takes to survive.

Episode Links:

• Annual Report - SEC Form 10-K Filing for Fiscal Year 2024 (Build-A-Bear)

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Chapters:

00:00 – Should Build-A-Bear Be Dead?
01:45 – The “Pay Your Age” Hook
04:30 – Chipotle for Teddy Bears
06:40 – Public Company Surprise
09:00 – Breaking Down the Financials
12:30 – Retail vs AI Disruption
16:45 – Growth Levers That Matter
22:30 – U.S. Core vs Global Expansion
29:00 – What Would You Do Next?

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