Eddie Bauer is a clothing store chain. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, and a subsidiary of Eddie Bauer Holdings which was formed subsequent to the former parent - Spiegel, Inc. - declaring bankruptcy. The company was founded in Seattle in 1920 as "Eddie Bauer's Sport Shop" by its namesake, Eddie Bauer (1899 – 1986). It was also the first independent company that the United States Army hired and allowed to use a logo on the Army issued uniform (U.S. Design Patent 119,122).

Bauer retired and sold the company in 1968. General Mills bought Eddie Bauer in 1971, and Spiegel bought it from General Mills in 1988. In 2003, Spiegel, Inc., entered bankruptcy. The Spiegel catalog and all other assets were sold, except for Eddie Bauer. In May 2005, Spiegel, Inc., emerged from bankruptcy under the name "Eddie Bauer Holdings" and owned primarily by Commerzbank.

Eddie Bauer's flagship store is in downtown Seattle's Pacific Place mall.

Eddie Bauer is also a trim package on several Ford vehicles, including the Ford Bronco, Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition, Ford Excursion, Ford F-Series and the Ford Taurus X.

Eddie Bauer, Inc. history

1920-1945

In 1920, the first store was established in downtown Seattle and was called Eddie Bauer’s Sport Shop. Eddie Bauer established his Creed in 1922: “To give you such outstanding quality, value, service and guarantee that we may be worthy of your high esteem.” Eddie Bauer married Christine “Stine” Heltborg on February 21, 1929. Stine was an accomplished sportswoman who was as adept as her husband with rifle or fishing rod. She and Ed were married for 56 years, and he affectionately called her “my wilderness companion.”

In 1934, the company secured U.S. and Canadian patents on the Bauer Shuttlecock. Then in 1936, Eddie Bauer manufactured the quilted goose down insulated garment, the Skyliner jacket. This jacket was carried in stores and in the catalog consistently from 1936 to 1995. It was patented in 1940. Apparel for women was also added around this time. The U.S. Army Air Corp. commissioned the Eddie Bauer B-9 Flight Parka in 1940, and more than 50,000 jackets were made and worn for warmth during high-altitude flights. In 1945, Eddie Bauer issued their first mail-order catalog.

1950-1985

From 1953 to 1983, Eddie Bauer outfitted notable scientific and exploratory expeditions including the American K-2 Himalayan Expedition (1953), the first international geophysical year scientific expedition in Antarctica (1957), and the American Antarctic Mountaineering Expedition (1966–67).

In 1968, company founder Eddie Bauer retired, selling the business to his friend and partner, William Niemi and his son. Also, the first store outside of Seattle opened in San Francisco. The company’s focus shifted in the 1970s from making expedition gear and apparel to casual lifestyle apparel. The emphasis on women’s apparel and accessories was greatly expanded in all stores, as well. In 1971, the company was sold to General Mills. National retail expansion began in earnest. Between 1971 and 1988 Eddie Bauer expanded to 61 stores and $250 million in sales. Eddie Bauer also began a partnership with Ford in 1983 to produce Eddie Bauer Edition Ford vehicles. The first Eddie Bauer Edition Ford rolled off the assembly line in 1984. The partnership led to Eddie Bauer Aerostars, Broncos, Bronco IIs, Explorers, Expeditions, F-150s, Freestyles, and Taurus Xs.

1985-1995

In 1987, Eddie Bauer launched the All Week Long catalog, featuring classically styled fashions for professional and special occasions. The first All Week Long store opened in 1991. Eight more stores opened over the next three years.

Spiegel purchased Eddie Bauer from General Mills in 1988. Aggressive expansion continued, with more than 300 stores being added over the next eight years. In 1989, Eddie Bauer opened its 100th store. In 1991, Eddie Bauer launched Eddie Bauer Home, a collection of home furnishings including furniture, tableware, decor items and linens. Eddie Bauer launched its first catalog in Germany in 1993. It also expanded internationally with the formation of Eddie Bauer Japan, a joint venture partnership designed to develop and operate Eddie Bauer stores and catalogs in Japan.

In 1994, Spiegel launched Distribution Fulfillment Services, Inc. (DFS) in Ohio providing distribution and fulfillment services to both retail and catalog for both Spiegel and Eddie Bauer. Eddie Bauer Japan opened its first three stores in Tokyo and issued its first Japanese catalog.

The company celebrated 75 years in business in 1995, and published a book, The Legend of Eddie Bauer. Eddie Bauer also launched a new retail and catalog concept for men and women called AKA Eddie Bauer. All nine All Week Long stores were converted to AKA Eddie Bauer by April 1995. AKA Eddie Bauer offered men’s dress apparel for the first time, plus sportswear, shoes and accessories for men and women. The Eddie Bauer Germany joint venture announced that it would develop and operate Eddie Bauer stores and catalogs in Germany and other European countries. Eddie Bauer also opened a virtual electronic commerce store in the Marketplace on America Online.

1995-2000

In 1996, Eddie Bauer launched its Web site, www.eddiebauer.com, establishing a third channel of distribution to complement the retail and catalog divisions. The company launched EBTEK, a new product line, including both the EBTEK System of high-performance interlocking outerwear, and EBTEK casual activewear. The EBTEK System includes fabrics such as Gore-Tex, Polartec 200, and Eddie Bauer Premium Goose Down. Eight new stores opened in Japan that year, bringing the total to 14 stores and three outlets. Eddie Bauer Germany also opened two new stores in Germany.

Eddie Bauer continued to expand in North America and internationally throughout 1997, opening the 500th U.S. store. Internationally, Eddie Bauer Japan opened 11 new stores, bringing the total to 24 stores in Japan, along with four outlet stores in various locations. In 1997, Eddie Bauer Germany opened five new stores, bringing the total to seven Eddie Bauer stores in Germany. Eddie Bauer enters into a licensing agreement with the Lane Company, offering an exclusive collection of Eddie Bauer Home by Lane furniture.

By 1998, over 600 stores had been opened in North America (556), Japan (32), and Germany (9). Eddie Bauer entered into a three-year licensing agreement with Giant Bicycle, Inc. to launch a line of Eddie Bauer Edition mountain bikes for off-terrain and city riding. Eddie Bauer and Signature Eyewear joined to produce the Eddie Bauer Eyewear collection for men and women. Additionally, Eddie Bauer and Cosco, Inc. joined to build upon Eddie Bauer’s "Baby by Eddie Bauer" collection of Eddie Bauer Home merchandise for infants, and Cosco’s leadership in the juvenile products industry.

In 1999, Safeco Field, the new home of the Seattle Mariners, signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Eddie Bauer, establishing Eddie Bauer as the official apparel sponsor of Safeco Field event staff through the 2000 season.

Also in 1999, Eddie Bauer presented American Forests with a check for $2.5 million, representing the 2.5 million trees planted nationally through Eddie Bauer's "Add a Dollar, Plant a Tree" retail program. Eddie Bauer’s 100th birthday is celebrated with the culmination of national “Building Cities of Green” tree planting tour, in Seattle, Washington. On October 19, Eddie Bauer retail stores distribute one-half million trees to customers in honor of company founder. The one-millionth Eddie Bauer Edition Ford rolled off the assembly line.

In 2000, Signature Eyewear launches Eddie Bauer performance sunwear featuring Oakley XYZ Optics. National Geographic Ventures joins forces with Eddie Bauer to include the corporate sponsorship of a new giant screen film on Lewis & Clark. Other elements include a multi-tiered travel alliance and Eddie Bauer sponsored Radio Expeditions, a National Geographic and National Public Radio co-production. Eddie Bauer opened a store in Honolulu, Hawaii, completing Eddie Bauer’s entry into all 50 American states.

Also in 2000, Eddie Bauer launched its first exclusively on-line business venture, eddiebauerkids.com. Eddie Bauer joined forces with American Forests to launch the Wildfire ReLeaf program, established to help in the restoration of land decimated by forest fires in 2000.

2001-Present

In 2001, Eddie Bauer teamed with American Recreation Products through a licensing agreement to launch a collection of camping equipment. Eddie Bauer was awarded the Hispanic College Fund Corporation of the Year award. The NAACP, Washington D.C. Urban League, and the Seattle Urban League award Eddie Bauer with Corporate Sponsorship Awards. Eddie Bauer launches first annual Add a Dollar to Your Local Community Charity program during the Eddie Bauer Associate Giving Campaign. Each of the 550-plus Eddie Bauer stores selected their own local charity to donate the funds raised in their local store. Eddie Bauer associates and customers raised nearly $1,000,000 for the Victims of 9/11.

References

External links

• Eddie Bauer website