Retail and Consumer Economy

Eddie Bauer, the 106‑year‑old outdoor apparel retailer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the third time, covering roughly 180 stores in the U.S. and Canada operated by licensee Catalyst Brands. The Bellevue, Washington‑based company says stores will remain open for now as it begins winding down some locations, while its separately run e‑commerce and wholesale businesses, and franchise markets outside the U.S. and Canada, are not part of the filing. CEO Marc Rosen said the move is aimed at restructuring debt and 'optimizing value' amid years of dwindling sales, supply‑chain problems and 'ongoing tariff uncertainty' that leadership could not overcome quickly enough. The case adds to a wave of retail bankruptcies in a tougher consumer and trade environment and could mean job losses, renegotiated leases, and more empty storefronts in malls and shopping centers where Eddie Bauer has long been a staple. Creditors, landlords and employees will now look to the Chapter 11 process to see which stores survive and whether a buyer or new capital emerges to keep the brand’s brick‑and‑mortar presence alive.