The past several months haven't been particularly fun ones for Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) shareholders. While up on the order of 14% from December's low, the stock is still down more than 40% from its late 2021 peak. It's also moving lower again right now. Yes, the bear market has been particularly tough on this home decor company.

This stark vulnerability to a bear market has a flip side, though. Williams-Sonoma shares are likely to be hypersensitive to bull markets as well, outpacing marketwide gains when the tide is rising. Assuming we're closer to the beginning of a bull market than not, here are four key reasons to consider stepping into Williams-Sonoma sooner than later.

Rival retailer Bed Bath & Beyond might have narrowly avoided bankruptcy by raising funds via a stock sale last week, but don't be fooled. The company is very much on the defensive and is being forced to shrink just to have a chance at surviving. It's closing or has already closed nearly 150 stores this year and is completely shuttering its Canadian operations.

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Source Fool.com