Iconic Outdoor Retailer Eddie Bauer to Shutter North American Stores, Enter Bankruptcy
In a move that signals deepening troubles for traditional retail, Eddie Bauer—the iconic outdoor brand famed for inventing the quilted down jacket—is preparing to close its entire network of North American stores and file for bankruptcy protection. The filing, expected imminently, will affect over 200 locations across the continent.
The brand, founded by outdoorsman Eddie Bauer in Seattle in 1920, once boasted a global empire of more than 600 stores in its 1990s heyday. According to industry reports, the bankruptcy proceedings will be initiated by Catalyst Brands, the entity holding the operating rights, and will not impact the company's international locations, manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce divisions.
This marks the third bankruptcy for the retailer in just over two decades, following filings in 2003 and 2009. Despite its legacy innovation—the patented goose-down jacket in 1940—the chain has struggled to maintain relevance amid fierce competition from both specialized outdoor rivals and fast-fashion giants.
Sources indicate that multiple parties are already circling, with bids expected for the rights to operate parts of the business. A successful bidder could license the brand from owner Authentic Brands Group and potentially salvage some storefronts or fold the label into a larger retail portfolio.
Eddie Bauer's plight is the latest in a series of body blows to brick-and-mortar retail in early 2026. Last month, luxury conglomerate Saks Global, parent to Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, also sought bankruptcy protection after exhausting its cash reserves.
Voices from the Community
Michael Torres, 58, longtime customer and hiking enthusiast from Colorado: "It's heartbreaking. My first serious parka was an Eddie Bauer. They built gear that lasted generations. This feels like losing a piece of American outdoor history."
Lisa Chen, 41, retail analyst at Mercator Group: "This was a predictable, if tragic, outcome. The brand failed to evolve its in-store experience and digital engagement meaningfully. Their product quality remained strong, but in today's market, that's not enough without a compelling omnichannel strategy."
David "Rev" Miller, 49, former store manager (laid off in 2024): "Absolute corporate malpractice. The private equity vultures and brand-holding companies bled it dry with licensing deals and underinvestment. They turned a heritage brand that stood for durability into just another logo to be traded. Workers and communities are paying the price."
Priya Sharma, 33, sustainable fashion advocate: "There's a lesson here for all legacy brands. Eddie Bauer had authentic sustainability credentials—repair services, durable goods—long before it was trendy. But they didn't tell that story effectively to a new generation. It's a missed opportunity of epic proportions."