• Linkdin
Maximize your media exposure with Fibre2Fashion's single PR package  |   Know More

ABG & SPARC to acquire American outdoor brand Eddie Bauer

10 May '21
3 min read
Pic: Authentic Brands Group / Eddie Bauer
Pic: Authentic Brands Group / Eddie Bauer

Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company, and SPARC Group, a leading retail enterprise, have announced a definitive agreement to purchase Eddie Bauer, the iconic American outdoor brand, from PSEB Group, an operating company owned by Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm.

As per the agreement, ABG will own Eddie Bauer’s intellectual property and the brand’s core operating business will become a part of the SPARC portfolio of brands. Following the close of the transaction, SPARC’s operating platform will include Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand, Nautica, Aéropostale and Forever 21, which collectively generate nearly $8.6 billion in systemwide retail sales annually.

ABG owns a portfolio of brands that span the entertainment, media, fashion, active, beauty, home and hospitality sectors. The acquisition of Eddie Bauer, an outdoor lifestyle pioneer, further diversifies ABG’s portfolio and puts the company at the forefront of this thriving industry vertical. Eddie Bauer is a history-making brand with a legacy built on inspiration, innovation and exploration. The founder of the eponymous brand invented the original down jacket, which revolutionised outerwear and created a wardrobe staple. Today, Eddie Bauer empowers people everywhere to “live their adventure.” Its product offerings include performance outerwear, apparel, swimwear, footwear, accessories and outdoor lifestyle gear, ABG said on its website.

After the acquisition is complete, Eddie Bauer will become part of the SPARC organisation. Eddie Bauer will remain headquartered in the Seattle area under the leadership of current president Damien Huang. The Eddie Bauer 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 US and Canada. Eddie Bauer has a robust and growing e-commerce business, which drove nearly half of the brand’s annual retail sales last year.

“Eddie Bauer has a 100-year history of 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 in partnership with SPARC, Damien and the rest of the Eddie Bauer team.”

“The addition of Eddie Bauer introduces a new and highly-differentiated expertise to the SPARC organisation,” said Marc Miller, CEO of SPARC. “The brand pushes the boundaries of technical innovation and performance with award-winning outdoor product offerings, bringing an entirely new component to our fashion and lifestyle brand portfolio. We are excited to work closely with the Eddie Bauer team as we help drive the brand forward.”

The transaction is expected to close by June 1, 2021. No financial terms were disclosed.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)

Leave your Comments

Esteemed Clients

TÜYAP IHTISAS FUARLARI A.S.
Tradewind International Servicing
Thermore (Far East) Ltd.
The LYCRA Company Singapore  Pte. Ltd
Thai Trade Center
Thai Acrylic Fibre Company Limited
TEXVALLEY MARKET LIMITED
TESTEX AG, Swiss Textile Testing Institute
Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)
Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)
SUZHOU TUE HI-TECH NONWOVEN MACHINERY CO.,LTD
Stahl Holdings B.V.,
Advanced Search