Eddie Bauer becomes latest outdoor brand to be snapped up by outside investors

American outdoor clothing chain Eddie Bauer, which re-entered the fishing market in 2014, has been acquired by the marketing and entertainment company, Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and the SPARC Group, a retail enterprise.

Eddie Bauer, which has a 100-year industry in the outdoor lifestyle sector, was previously part of the PSEB Group, a company owned by Golden Gate Capital.

The man who founded the brand and gave it his name invented the original down jacket that revolutionised outerwear. Its product offerings include performance outerwear, apparel, footwear, swimwear and accessories.

ABG will own Eddie Bauer’s international property while the brand’s core operating business will become part of a SPARC portfolio that collectively generates more than $8 billion in annual retail sales.

“Eddie Bauer is an unparalleled authority in the outdoor space,” said Jamie Salter, founder, Chairman and CEO of ABG. “The global outdoor market opportunity has grown exponentially over the last year and we are ready to hit the ground running and guide this brand into new frontiers.”

Eddie Bauer will remain headquartered in the Seattle area under the leadership of President Damien Huang. The team, in partnership with SPARC, will manage the brand’s sourcing, product design and development, wholesale, planning and allocation, and e-commerce as well as its 300 stores, which are principally located in the United States and Canada. The company’s e-commerce business drove nearly half its annual retail sales last year.