The retailer’s U.S. and Canadian arm filed for Chapter 11 on Monday, announcing plans to sell roughly 200 of its namesake outdoor sportswear stores. Declining sales and supply‑chain challenges were cited as the main drivers behind the move.
Financial pressure was further intensified by uncertain tariff policies and inflation, among other factors, the company said.
Most of the outlets will remain open while a buyer is sought, but if that process fails, the stores could close. No specific timeline for closures has been given.
The parent company praised recent strides in product development and marketing, yet noted that those changes were not fast enough to counteract several years of accumulating challenges.
This filing marks the third bankruptcy for the more than 100‑year‑old brand, following earlier Chapter 11 cases in 2003 and 2009.
Stores outside North America will stay open under other licensees. The retailer’s online and wholesale operations will transition to a new partner, Outdoor 5 LLC, ensuring e‑commerce remains available.
The decision was described as difficult, but the company thanked its employees, vendors, customers and stakeholders for their loyalty and is working to minimize the impact on all parties involved.
