Eddie Bauer Retail Chain Files for Bankruptcy

The iconic outdoor apparel brand will focus on e-commerce and wholesale after shedding its brick-and-mortar stores.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Eddie Bauer LLC, the operator of 180 Eddie Bauer retail and outlet stores in the U.S. and Canada, has filed for bankruptcy protection in New Jersey. The company plans to begin liquidation sales at its physical stores while keeping its online sales and wholesale operations unaffected. Eddie Bauer cited declining sales, supply chain challenges, inflation, and unpredictable tariffs as factors leading to the bankruptcy filing.

Why it matters

The Eddie Bauer bankruptcy is the latest in a string of apparel retailer insolvencies, reflecting the broader challenges facing brick-and-mortar stores as consumer shopping habits shift more toward e-commerce. The move will allow Eddie Bauer to focus on its more profitable direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels while shedding the costs of operating a large physical retail footprint.

The details

In its bankruptcy filing, Eddie Bauer reported $1.7 billion in debt. The company plans to keep its online sales and wholesale operations running while closing its 180 retail and outlet stores through liquidation sales. Authentic Brands, which owns the Eddie Bauer intellectual property, will continue to license the brand to the company's e-commerce and wholesale divisions, which are not part of the bankruptcy.

  • Eddie Bauer filed for bankruptcy protection on February 9, 2026.
  • The company aims to get court approval for a potential sale by March 12, 2026.

The players

Eddie Bauer LLC

The operator of 180 Eddie Bauer retail and outlet stores in the U.S. and Canada that has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Authentic Brands

The company that owns the Eddie Bauer intellectual property and is a minority owner of the store operator's parent company.

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What they’re saying

“By aligning our channel mix with how customers are choosing to shop today, we're positioning Eddie Bauer for long-term, sustainable expansion while protecting the integrity of the brand.”

— David Brooks, Authentic Brands (newsmax.com)

What’s next

Eddie Bauer aims to get court approval for a potential sale of the company by March 12, 2026.

The takeaway

The Eddie Bauer bankruptcy reflects the broader challenges facing traditional brick-and-mortar retailers as consumer shopping habits shift more toward e-commerce. By shedding its physical store footprint, Eddie Bauer can focus on its more profitable direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, positioning the iconic outdoor apparel brand for long-term sustainability.