Eddie Bauer LLC Files for Bankruptcy

Eddie Bauer LLC, the retail operator for Eddie Bauer stores in the United States and Canada, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company cited declining sales, supply chain issues, inflation, and tariff uncertainty as primary reasons. This move puts nearly 200 Eddie Bauer stores in North America at risk of closure, as the company begins liquidation sales and seeks a buyer for its brick-and-mortar operations. Catalyst Brands, the parent company, stated that this restructuring is necessary to optimize value for stakeholders and maintain its own profitability. Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Eddie Bauer brand and intellectual property, will retain ownership and aims to strengthen digital and wholesale channels. This marks the third bankruptcy for Eddie Bauer, reflecting broader difficulties faced by retailers in the current economic climate, similar to those experienced by Hudson s Bay Company — Saks Fifth Avenue, Forever 21, and Francesca s.