Nothing is old in the retail market. Just because a brand has been around for decades or a century, doesn’t guarantee it will continue until 2026.
In the coming year, we may see the demise of both Sears and K-Mart, two historic brands that helped define American retail. It’s almost unfathomable to think that Sears, a brand that used to be bigger than Walmart, will now have fewer than 10 stores as a closing chain after working out leases and other obligations.
One of the last Sears operated in a mall near our house, and it had limited merchandise, a handful of employees, and was only open so its owner took advantage to transfer its lease to Dick’s Sporting Goods, which has taken over the space. While it remained open, the chain was a sad reminder of what it once was.
Past prominence, however, does not guarantee anything in the present. That’s why Saks Global finds itself fighting for survival in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and many legacy brands have closed their doors.
Now, another well-known brand, Eddy Bauer, appears poised to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and close its fleet of more than 200 retail locations, according to a report by Women’s Wear Daily (WWD).
Eddie Bauer has filed twice for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Its first bankruptcy occurred in 2003.
At the time, Eddie Bauer’s parent company, Spiegel Inc.filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy In March 2003.
Spiegel’s financial troubles led to the closing of several Eddie Bauer stores.
After restructuring, Eddie Bauer emerged from Spiegel’s bankruptcy in June 2005 as a stand-alone company. Called Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc. Source: SEC filing
Its second filing was in 2009.
On June 17, 2009Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection Due to heavy debt, declining sales, and recession-era pressures themselves.
At the time, the company had hundreds of retail stores and debts that strained its finances.
During the bankruptcy process, Eddie Bauer secured financing to continue operations while it sought a buyer. Source: New York Times
in July 2009It was Eddie Bauer Received from bankruptcy by a private equity firm Golden Gate Capital In the bankruptcy auction for the surroundings $286 millionAccording to a Golden Gate Capital press release.
Now, the company is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again and plans to close all of its stores.
“Eddie Bauer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with sources claiming the retailer will close an estimated 200 locations across North America,” according to a Jan. 29 WWD story.
The chain will exit the US retail market, but its stores in Japan will not be affected. It’s a complicated transaction because of the company’s ownership, RetailWire reported.
“Following the formation of Catalyst Brands last year (by Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corporation, Authentic Brands Group and Sheen) — brand holdings with Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, Lucky Brands, Brooks Brothers, Nautica and JCPenney — Eddie Bauer’s reported manufactures will leave all e-works in North Com. America intact.
This means Eddie Bauer’s will end as a retail chain, but the brand will continue to exist and be sold elsewhere.
Eddie Bauer is expected to close all of its retail stores. Sutterstock” loading=”lazy” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-lglytj loader”/>
Eddie Bauer is expected to close all of its retail stores. Shutterstock ·Shutterstock
GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders sees Eddie Bauer as a troubled brand.
“Having been in several Eddie Bauer stores over the past year, I’m really struggling to understand what the point of difference is. The stores are overcrowded with product, hard to shop, and don’t offer anywhere near enough inspiration. There’s very little story. It just doesn’t cut it in the outdoor category that remains soft and filled with innovative brands, which run stores like Fjantravs and Fjatravens,” he wrote. on RetailWire.
His Brain Trust colleague, Craig Sundstrom, blames the company’s ownership.
“Well, yes. I like lessons—and it’s not so learned againLearned – is a brand expendable when it is part of a conglomerate … like L&T was sidelined after NRDC acquired Saks,” he posted.
More retail:
Mohammad Amer, a retail consultant, agrees.
“The catalyst brand takes the portfolio operator model to its logical end: financial arbitrage masquerading as brand stewardship. Eddie Bauer’s seamless migration of e-commerce to Outer 5, despite closing 200 stores, isn’t just operational triage; it’s unfitting the physical operation itself.
Many famous brands have closed their doors from 2020:
Lord and Taylor: Established in Year 1826One of America’s oldest department stores. filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and closed all of its brick-and-mortar stores 2021 Amid pandemic-era declines, according to Modern Retail.
Stein Mart: Established in Year 1908. filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and closed 279 physical stores That year (the brand exists only online), CNBC reported.
Model’s Sporting Goods: Established in Year 1889. One of the oldest sporting goods retailers. Filed for bankruptcy and all stores liquidated 2020 after 131 yearsAccording to modern retail.
Joan clothes: Established in Year 1943. After several bankruptcies, All 800-plus stores closed by May 2025TheStreet’s Maury Backman reported.
Sanskar aid: Established in 1962. Once among America’s largest pharmacy chains. Filed twice for bankruptcy (2023 and 2025) and All remaining stores will close by the end of 2025According to CBS News.
Hudson’s Bay (Department Store Division). part of Hudson’s Bay CompanyThe oldest commercial enterprise in North America. Traditional department store chains were liquidated and All stores closed by June 1, 2025A retail dive was reported.
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This story was originally published by TheStreet on January 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a preferred source by clicking here.
