Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy protection

Eddie Bauer’s store operator in the U.S. and Canada has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and begun going‑out‑of‑business and liquidation sales at its remaining locations.

What exactly happened

• Eddie Bauer LLC, which operates about 175–180 Eddie Bauer stores in the U.S. and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on Monday, February 9, 2026.

• This is at least the third time the century‑old outdoor retailer has sought Chapter 11 protection, after prior bankruptcies in 2003 and 2009.

Impact on stores

• The company has started liquidation or “going‑out‑of‑business” sales at roughly 175–180 remaining stores, after already closing several dozen locations.

• Unless a buyer emerges for the brick‑and‑mortar business, all U.S. and Canadian stores are expected to close in the coming months, with some reports indicating closures could wrap up by late spring.

What’s not affected

• The Chapter 11 case covers the licensed retail and outlet stores, not the Eddie Bauer brand itself, which is owned by Authentic Brands Group.

• E‑commerce, wholesale, and design operations were previously shifted to a separate partner (Outdoor 5 LLC), so online sales and wholesale distribution of Eddie Bauer‑branded products are expected to continue.

• International Eddie Bauer stores operated by other licensees outside the U.S. and Canada are not part of this bankruptcy filing and remain open.

Reasons for the bankruptcy

• The operator cited declining sales at mall‑based stores, supply‑chain disruptions, inflation, and changing consumer spending patterns as key drivers of the financial distress.

• It also pointed to tariff uncertainty and other cost pressures over the last several years as worsening its situation.

If you tell me what you’re most concerned about (gift cards, returns, credit card, or local store), I can narrow down what this filing likely means for you specifically.