Eddie Bauer closes its stores: what opportunities for Quebec SMEs?

Eddie Bauer’s possible exit from the North American market and the announced closure of around 200 physical stores by 2026 are part of a wider wave of retail rationalization. According to information published in early 2026, the chain’s operator, Catalyst Brands, is preparing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that would lead to the closure of virtually all Eddie Bauer stores in North America, while transferring online and wholesale activities to a new player specializing in licensed brands.([ainvest.com](https://www.ainvest.com/news/eddie-bauer-shuts-200-stores-chapter-11-filing-strategic-shift-commerce-licensing-2602/?utm_source=openai))

For Quebec SMEs, this news may seem remote, but it is in fact rich in lessons and opportunities. The closure of a century-old outdoor retailer like Eddie Bauer is part of a major trend: in 2024, 7,325 retail stores closed in the U.S., and analysts at Coresight Research are forecasting up to 15,000 closures in 2025, compared with only around 5,800 openings.([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123760119/en/Coresight-Research-Predicts-2025-Store-Opening-Closure-Numbers?utm_source=openai)) This reshaping of the North American retail landscape is having a direct impact on Quebec consumers’ expectations, buying behavior and shopping center real estate dynamics.

In this context, local SMEs have an important card to play, provided they anticipate the changes, strengthen their digital presence (website, online store, CRM) and make intelligent use of customer data. This article offers an analysis of the 2024-2026 trends, the possible impacts in Quebec, and concrete levers for transforming this wave of closures into a strategic advantage.

1. Understanding the closure of Eddie Bauer stores and the wave of closures 2024-2026

To seize opportunities, you first need to understand the context. Eddie Bauer, an iconic brand of outdoor clothing and equipment, has been progressively reducing its Canadian network in recent years. At the beginning of 2026, the brand will have just twenty stores left in Canada, following multiple closures in major shopping centers such as CF Toronto Eaton Centre and other key locations ([retail-insider.com](https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2026/02/eddie-bauer-poised-to-exit-canada-as-store-shutdown-looms/?utm_source=openai)). At the same time, its North American operator is preparing to close around 200 stores via a Chapter 11 procedure, with a clear strategy: to refocus on e-commerce, wholesale and licensed brand management.([ainvest.com](https://www.ainvest.com/news/eddie-bauer-shuts-200-stores-chapter-11-filing-strategic-shift-commerce-licensing-2602/?utm_source=openai))

This is not an isolated case. In the U.S. – a market that strongly influences retail dynamics in Canada – the figures speak for themselves:

• In 2024, 7,325 stores closed, the highest level since 2020.([cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/23/store-closures-rise-led-by-party-city-big-lots-walgreens.html?utm_source=openai))
• For 2025, Coresight Research anticipates around 15,000 additional closures, for only 5,800 openings.([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123760119/en/Coresight-Research-Predicts-2025-Store-Opening-Closure-Numbers?utm_source=openai))
• By the end of 2025, over 8,000 closures had already been announced, up 13.2% year-on-year.([indexbox.io](https://www.indexbox.io/blog/us-retailers-announce-over-8000-store-closures-in-2025-a-132-increase/?utm_source=openai))

The causes are manifold: inflationary pressure on operating costs, fierce competition from e-commerce giants, the rise of low-cost marketplaces, but also changing consumer habits, who now demand the best price, a seamless experience and near-immediate availability. Retailers unable to optimize their inventories, personalize their offers or digitalize their processes find themselves in a weak position.

For Quebec SMEs, the closure of large banners like Eddie Bauer means :

• A decline in the physical offer in certain segments (outdoor, technical clothing, accessories), creating a local void, particularly in shopping centers and power centers.
• An increase in consumer sensitivity to digital channels, prompting them to seek out online alternatives, including local ones.
• A rethinking of loyalty to international brands, opening the way for closer, more responsible and more transparent Quebec brands.

To understand this dynamic is to accept that the “retail apocalypse” predicted for several years now has been transformed into a profound reconfiguration: commerce is not disappearing, it’s moving, segmenting and digitizing. This is a game in which agile SMEs can win.

2. Opportunities for Quebec SMEs: capturing the demand left by Eddie Bauer

When a brand like Eddie Bauer closes its doors, it doesn’t make the need disappear: Quebecers are still into hiking, skiing, camping, hunting, fishing and outdoor travel. Demand shifts to other channels and other brands. For an SME, the key question becomes: how can I position myself to become the trusted alternative?

Several concrete avenues are emerging:

• Specialize in a specific segment: rather than trying to replicate the breadth of Eddie Bauer’s range, an SME can focus on a promising sub-segment (e.g. eco-responsible technical clothing, ultralight camping equipment, products for active families, etc.). Clear positioning facilitates search engine optimization (SEO) and customer loyalty.
• Emphasize local roots: manufacturing or design in Quebec, fast local logistics, human after-sales service. Faced with a major international brand that is closing its stores, the “close to home” argument becomes powerful.
• Offer a hybrid experience: combine a high-performance transactional site with a smaller, but highly experiential point-of-sale or showroom. Less floor space than the old big names, but more advice, events and fitting.
• Exploit neglected niches: some very specific categories (large sizes, technical accessories for niche sports, adaptive clothing, etc.) can be promoted to capture a customer base often underserved by the big chains.

To capture this demand, online presence becomes non-negotiable. A showcase site is no longer enough: consumers who used to buy from Eddie Bauer are used to consulting stock online, ordering remotely and enjoying a seamless experience. Investing in a truly robust, ergonomic and mobile-optimized online store has become a prerequisite.

That’s precisely why a specialized agency like Nuaweb can support Quebec companies withwebsite creation and e-commerce development services tailored to local realities (language, taxes, delivery, POS integrations, etc.). By equipping itself with the right digital tools, an SME can not only replace Eddie Bauer in the minds of certain consumers, but also reach a wider customer base, including outside its region.

Finally, the closure of large banners is freeing up physical space in shopping centers. According to various sector analyses, this phenomenon is driving more and more landlords to court smaller local players, with more flexible lease terms or pop-up concepts. This opens the door to less risky physical POCs (proof of concept) for SMEs already well-established online.

3. Digital reinvention: e-commerce, AI and CRM for SMEs

Recent studies by Coresight Research highlight a central point: a significant proportion of store closures involve retailers who have failed to adapt their operating models to the digital age, or to take advantage of technologies such as artificial intelligence to optimize their costs, inventory and customer experience.([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123760119/en/Coresight-Research-Predicts-2025-Store-Opening-Closure-Numbers?utm_source=openai))

For a Quebec SME, the opportunity is twofold:

• Avoid the mistakes of the big players by integrating the right digital tools at an early stage.
• Turn a corner in productivity and customer service thanks to AI, automation and a well-configured CRM.

Here are a few concrete levers to consider:

• Implement modern e-commerce: a fast, secure, bilingual (FR/EN) transactional site, with real-time inventory management, flexible delivery and integration with your internal systems. A well-designed platform captures former Eddie Bauer customers who are now looking for online alternatives.
• Use AI for customer service: AI chatbots available 24/7 can answer frequently asked questions (sizes, availability, return policies), recommend products based on profile and gather useful data on purchase intentions. Properly integrated, AI does not replace the human, but frees up time for higher value-added advice.
• Centralize information in a CRM: a well-established CRM management system enables you to track purchase history, customer preferences and the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. This enables you to segment your clientele (e.g. hikers, skiers, families, etc.) to propose targeted offers at the right time.
• Automate relationship marketing: automated post-purchase e-mail campaigns, seasonal reminders (“your winter coat is 3 years old, it may be time to renew it”), abandoned basket relaunches. These tactics are particularly profitable in segments where product lifespans are known (technical clothing, boots, base layers, etc.).
• Analyze sales and behavior data: a unified dashboard (e-commerce + POS + CRM) helps identify high-potential products and categories, reduce out-of-stock situations and negotiate more effectively with suppliers.

Macroeconomic statistics confirm the relevance of this shift. Coresight forecasts indicate that the growing preference for online shopping, driven by the search for better prices and greater convenience, will continue to fuel traditional store closures in 2025 and 2026.([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123760119/en/Coresight-Research-Predicts-2025-Store-Opening-Closure-Numbers?utm_source=openai)) For SMEs already committed to digital transformation, this movement represents an opportunity to acquire market share at a lower cost of acquisition, particularly if they invest in a local SEO strategy (Google referencing, establishment listings, relevant blog content, etc.).

An agency like Nuaweb, which specializes in AI, web design and CRM, can act as a strategic partner in planning this shift, choosing the right tools and integrating them without disrupting your day-to-day business.

4. Concrete strategies to turn Eddie Bauer’s closure into a competitive advantage

Moving from analysis to action is essential. Here’s a four-pronged plan for Quebec SMEs to capitalize on the closure of Eddie Bauer stores and the wave of retail rationalization:

1. Map your local market and the “gaps” left by the big banners

Identify shopping centers, commercial arteries or catchment areas where an Eddie Bauer store or other outdoor retailers are closing or have recently closed. Analyze:

• Customer profile (purchasing power, consumer habits, lifestyle).
• Product categories most likely to be in demand (four-season clothing, technical diapers, accessories, etc.).
• Local competition is still present, both online and offline.

The aim is to understand precisely where demand is likely to be “orphaned”, so you can adjust your offer or your marketing campaigns.

2. Accelerate your digital presence and logistics

If your current site is not transactional, it’s time to plan a migration to a true e-commerce site, in collaboration with a specialist like Nuaweb via its turnkey e-commerce service. If you already have an online store, check :

• Loading speed (especially on mobile).
• Clear navigation by category (outdoors, hiking, skiing, etc.).
• The quality of the product sheets (photos, descriptions, size guides).
• The presence of educational content (guides, blog articles, comparisons) that inspires confidence in customers used to international brands.

At the same time, evaluate your ability to deliver quickly in Quebec (and Canada, if you’re targeting a wider market): delivery partners, return conditions, durable packaging. The experience must be on a par with the big players – if not better.

3. Strengthen customer relations with CRM and AI

Former Eddie Bauer customers are often more loyal to a lifestyle than to a brand. By implementing a well-structured CRM, you can :

• Segment your customers according to their activities (hikers, campers, skiers, travelers, etc.).
• Personalize your newsletters and promotional offers.
• Analyze customer lifetime value (CLV) and optimize your acquisition budgets.

AI and chatbot solutions can also automate some of the customer service on your site: product recommendations based on local weather, care tips for technical clothing, intelligent sizing assistants, etc. These features turn your site into a real outdoor advisor, not just a catalog.

4. Invest in content and brand

Finally, if you want to stand out from the big chains that are closing, you need to focus on your brand:

• Publish regular blog posts on topics your customers are looking for (e.g. “How to equip yourself for a winter hike in Quebec”, “5 essentials for camping with kids”).
• Promote your values (sustainability, local production, partnerships with guides or outdoor clubs).
• Create video content (product tests, tutorials, behind-the-scenes stories) to humanize your brand and attract organic traffic, especially via social networks.

In an environment where over 8,000 store closures have been announced for 2025, and up to 15,000 are expected by 2025 in the U.S.,([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123760119/en/Coresight-Research-Predicts-2025-Store-Opening-Closure-Numbers?utm_source=openai)) consumers are looking for reliable benchmarks. A well-positioned Quebec SME, with a solid digital presence, a strong brand identity and personalized customer relations, can become a trusted reference.

Conclusion: turn the retail crisis into a growth springboard for your SME

The announced closure of Eddie Bauer stores in North America, in a context where thousands of outlets close every year, confirms an inescapable reality: retail is entering a new era, dominated by digital, data and personalized customer experience. Far from being just bad news, this transformation opens up a field of opportunities for Quebec SMEs capable of adapting quickly.

By positioning yourself as a credible local alternative, investing in high-performance e-commerce, deployingAI to support your customer service and structuring your data via an adapted CRM, you can not only compensate for the disappearance of retailers like Eddie Bauer, but also gain visibility and profitability over the long term.

If you’d like to assess your company’s potential in this new landscape – whether it’s creating or redesigning your website, launching an online store, integrating a CRM or implementing AI solutions – the Nuaweb team is here to support you. Schedule a free consultation with Nuaweb today and turn the retail crisis into a springboard for growth for your Quebec SME.