Skip to main content

Featured

Eddie Bauer’s North American Operator Races to Find Buyer as Bankruptcy Looms

            Shoppers pass a closing sale at an Eddie Bauer store in Vaughan, Ont., on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.  Eddie Bauer’s store operator in the United States and Canada is urgently searching for a buyer in a last‑ditch effort to prevent widespread closures tied to its recent bankruptcy proceedings. The company, which oversees the brand’s retail footprint across both countries, has entered Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. and is preparing a similar filing in Canada. Roughly 220 stores are now in play, including more than 30 Canadian locations. While doors remain open for the moment, liquidation sales have already begun as part of the restructuring process. The operator says its goal is to secure a buyer capable of keeping the stores running, but warns that without one, closures could follow. The financial strain reflects the broader challenges facing legacy retailers—rising costs, shifting consumer habits, and intense competition. As court ...

article

Looming U.S. Port Strike Threatens Supply Chain Stability

 

As the possibility of a U.S. port strike looms, experts warn of severe disruptions to supply chains that could have far-reaching consequences. The potential work stoppage at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports could lead to significant delays, with cargo backlogs lasting for weeks or even months.

Fraser Johnson, a professor at Western University’s Ivey Business School, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that an East Coast port strike would be “absolutely devastating” to North American supply chains. The breakdown in contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and port operators has heightened concerns, with no resolution in sight.

The impact of such a strike would extend beyond the U.S., affecting global trade and logistics. Businesses reliant on timely shipments could face inventory shortages, increased costs, and operational challenges. As the October 1 deadline approaches, stakeholders are anxiously monitoring the situation, hoping for a resolution that averts a major supply chain crisis.


Comments