Eddie Bauer Retail Operated Speculated to File for Bankruptcy, Close NA Stores

February 4, 2026

Catalyst Brands Group, the retail operator of Eddie Bauer in North America, is expected to file for bankruptcy under a plan to close all of its stores in the U.S. and Canada, according to multiple reports. Any bankruptcy reorganization will not impact Eddie Bauer’s manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce operations, as well as its retail operations outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Eddie Bauer has about 200 stores worldwide, of which about 180 are located in the U.S. and Canada.

The Eddie Bauer stores are operated under a license by Texas-based Catalyst Brands. Catalyst Brands’ other businesses, including JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, Aéropostale, Lucky Brand, and Nautica, are not expected to be included in bankruptcy proceedings, according to reports. The outlets reporting the Chapter 11 filing noted it could happen as early as this month.

The speculated move comes as Authentic Brands Group, which acquired the Eddie Bauer brand and its intellectual property in 2021, in early January announced that it was transitioning the licenses for Eddie Bauer’s manufacturing, e-commerce and wholesale operations in the U,S and Canada from Catalyst to Outdoor 5 (Oved), effective February 2. Oved, also known as O5 Apparel, also works with Billabong, Hurley, Lands’ End, Champion, izod and Wrangler.

Several parties are expected to bid for the rights to operate some or all the Eddie Bauer stores, according to Business Insider. A winning bidder would then be able to license the rights from Authentic and potentially keep stores open or bring the Eddie Bauer brand under another retailer’s umbrella. SGB