Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy, Closing 180 Stores Across North America

The 106-year-old outdoor apparel brand cites declining sales, supply chain challenges, and macroeconomic headwinds as reasons for its collapse.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Eddie Bauer LLC, the operator of approximately 180 Eddie Bauer stores across the United States and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 9, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The filing represents a stunning collapse for one of America's most iconic outdoor apparel brands, which had once boasted nearly 600 stores at its peak and served as a symbol of rugged American entrepreneurship for more than a century.

Why it matters

Eddie Bauer's bankruptcy filing is a symptom of deeper structural changes in American retail, with over 15,000 brick-and-mortar stores closing in 2025 alone. The collapse of this 106-year-old brand highlights the challenges traditional retailers face in the age of e-commerce, tariffs, and shifting consumer preferences.

The details

According to Fox Business, the company cited declining sales and supply chain challenges as primary culprits, with CEO Marc Rosen of Catalyst Brands noting that 'ongoing inflation, tariff uncertainty and other headwinds' had accelerated the retailer's demise. The operator reported carrying $1.7 billion in debt, with stores slated to begin liquidation sales immediately while the company pursues what it calls a 'dual-path' approach—continuing to seek a buyer while winding down operations in the absence of a suitable transaction.

  • Eddie Bauer LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 9, 2026.
  • The company reported carrying $1.7 billion in debt at the time of the filing.

The players

Eddie Bauer LLC

The operator of approximately 180 Eddie Bauer stores across the United States and Canada.

Marc Rosen

The CEO of Catalyst Brands, the company that acquired Eddie Bauer's retail operations in 2025.

Authentic Brands Group

The company that acquired Eddie Bauer's intellectual property in 2021 and licensed store operations to Catalyst Brands.

Outdoor 5 LLC

The new licensee that acquired Eddie Bauer's profitable e-commerce and wholesale operations in January 2026.

Catalyst Brands

The company formed in January 2025 through a merger of JCPenney and SPARC Group, which acquired Eddie Bauer's retail operations.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Eddie Bauer's bankruptcy filing is a cautionary tale about the perils of brand diffusion, the challenges of physical retail in an e-commerce age, and the devastating impact of macroeconomic volatility on overleveraged business models. The collapse of this iconic outdoor apparel brand highlights the broader structural changes transforming the retail industry.