Authentic Brands Group and SPARC to Acquire Eddie Bauer

ABG and its operating company reached an agreement today with the American outdoor apparel retailer’s owner, PSEB Group. The transaction is expected to close by June 1, pending US and Canadian approvals. ABG will own Eddie Bauer’s intellectual property, and the brand’s operating business will become part of the SPARC portfolio — which already includes brands like Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand and Forever21. ABG has been on a bit of a buying spree over the past 18 months, adding those three brands, as well Barneys New York, under its umbrella.

For ABG, which hopes to tap into the growing outdoors market, international expansion and category growth are key parts of brand strategy. Launches in China and Korea will initiate that growth, as the brand looks to expand in Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.