June 17, 2009

Eddie Bauer Files Chapter 11

It's such a shame... when these venerable companies with sterling reputations move away from the products and services that made them profitable, they over-reach and end up in bankruptcy. This company has lost nearly a half-billion dollars in the past three years.
Eddie Bauer changed from selling traditional camping and outdoor gear to more trendy clothes for tweens and teens. This is the kiss of death for many companies because their taste changes more quickly than the company does... we've seen this in so many companies.

There's a good article about this closing here.
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11 comments:

  1. P.Gaye Tapp at Little AuguryJune 17, 2009 at 4:25 PM

    Suprising, but as you say too true. I am thankful for my clients thats for sure. la

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  2. AliciaJune 17, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    This stuns me. Why is that the classics are leaving but the cheap crap, made poorly junk seeme to thriving?

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  3. JennyJune 17, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    Minor nitpick- Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a reorganization, which allows the company to continue operation and to potentially emerge and continue operating. The New York Times piece even says that the stores and website will remain open. This is not a closing, as indicated in your piece. Sorry to be a perfectionist, but I'm seeing this confusion a lot as more and more companies file for bankruptcy.

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  4. Southern AspirationsJune 17, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    The bankruptcy piece is confusing... made more so by the filing and seemingly sudden closure of other retailers. I noticed their quality was getting a bit "less than" and ironically wondered how things were going when I got a catalog delivered to me yesterday. Now I know!

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  5. SFTrnyJune 17, 2009 at 6:36 PM

    I expect that Abercrombie and Fitch should be next. Years ago I bought one of the best pair of khakis I ever owned there. Now, it's pop models and junk. Sad...

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  6. Pigtown*DesignJune 17, 2009 at 6:44 PM

    SFTrny... I remember A&F years ago when they only sold hunting goods. They totally horrify me now with their discrimanatory hiring practices and loud and smelly stores. Someone needs to clue them that a little scent goes a looooong way!

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  7. home before darkJune 17, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    It is the natural evolution of the Boomers that we see money chasing our youngers. I say Boomers unite and build—and market—a world around us. We want quality and we are willing to pay the fair price. And we have the numbers. Will we have to take to the streets? (This is in jest, but not much.)

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  8. Renae MooreJune 17, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    Too bad...they definitely should have stuck to what they knew best= outdoor equipment and garb.

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  9. AnonymousJune 17, 2009 at 11:37 PM

    The long and short of it: They deserve it for betraying the cause!

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  10. Gail, northern CaliforniaJune 18, 2009 at 12:33 AM

    If you pay a corporate exec millions of dollars to manufacture your product overseas and it comes back as cheap ----, you deserve to go under. The fat cat CEO only has to move to the next company, and they do, with the argument that they deserve a high salary because of the special talents they've acquired through their illustrious career. Made in the USA is desperately needed again.

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  11. KarenaJune 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM

    Sad to hear that re Eddie Bauer. Companies should stick to what works while at the same time updating style, colors etc.

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