Abercrombie Closes Ruehl; Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy

Two retailers made big announcements today. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has decided to shutter the Ruehl chain. That will result in 29 store closures.

Meanwhile, Eddie Bauer filed for bankruptcy. The company will be sold to private-equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors LLC for $202 million.

CCMP said it plans to keep a majority of the retailer's employees and operate a majority of its stores. It said it would support the company's efforts to continue to pay suppliers and honor gift cards while it operates under bankruptcy court protection.

The clothing retailer posted a net loss of $44.5 million for its most recent quarter and has $187.9 million in long-term debt. The company had been negotiating with holders of $75 million of its senior notes to convert that debt to equity. Shares have tumbled in recent weeks following rumors of a potential bankruptcy.

"Eddie Bauer is a good company with a great brand and a bad balance sheet. This process will allow the business to emerge with far less debt, positioned for growth as the economy recovers and as our new products gain traction," said Neil Fiske, Chief Executive Officer of Eddie Bauer. He blamed "a crushing debt burden" and the effects of the recession for the bankruptcy filing.

Bankruptcies and Liquidations:

• Jan. 7, Goody's liquidates, closing 287 stores
• Jan. 8, Against All Odds files for bankruptcy protection, operates 64 stores overall, plans to close West Coast stores
• Jan. 13, Shane Co. files for bankruptcy, operates 23 stores
• Jan. 14, Gottschalks files for bankruptcy, operates 58 stores, Update: March 31, Gottschalks will liquidate
• Jan. 16, Circuit City to Liquidate, closing 567 stores
• Feb. 6, Fortunoff, operates 20 stores
• Feb. 6, Bruno's, operates 66 stores
• Feb. 12, S&K Famous Brands, operates 136 stores; Update: Feb. 19, plans to close 30. Update: May 26, plans to close rest.
• Feb. 17, Innovation Luggage, operates 10 stores
• Feb. 23, Ritz Camera, operates about 1,000 stores; Update, April 6, closing 300 camera stores and 120 Boater's World stores
• March 6, Joe's Sports & Outdoor, operates 30 stores
• March 25, Bi-Lo, operates 215 stores
• April 13, Z Gallerie, operates 56 stores
• April 13, Ultra Stores, operates 181 stores
• May 5, Filene's Basement, operates 25 stores, sold 17 Update: Syms and Vornado buy the chain.
• May 28, Anchor Blue, operates 177 stores, closing 50
• May 29, Oilily, operates 33 stores, closed 8
• June 17, Eddie Bauer, operates 371 stores

Potential Bankruptcies & Liquidation Impact: 1,526 confirmed closures out of about 3,319 stores

Announced Closings

• Jan. 8, New York & Co., 50 stores
• Jan. 8, Macy's, 11 stores
• Jan. 9, Supervalu, 50 stores
• Jan. 13, Cost Plus, 26 stores
• Jan. 20, Yankee Candle, 28 Illuminations stores
• Jan. 21, Filene's Basement, 11 stores
• Jan. 22, Phillips-Van Heusen, 175 stores
• Jan 22, Brown Shoe, up to 35 Famous Footwear stores
• Jan. 26, Home Depot, 48 stores
• Jan. 29, Starbucks, 200 U.S. Stores (plus 100 international)
• Jan. 29, Chico's, up to 25 stores
• Feb. 9, Talbots, 20 stores
• Feb. 24, Jimmy'Z, 11 stores
• Feb. 24, Z. Gallerie, 25 stores
• Feb. 25, Zale Corp., 115 stores
• Feb. 26, Gap, 50 net closings
• Feb. 27, Sears, 44 stores
• March 3, Virgin Megastores, 6 stores
• March 6, Ann Taylor, 37 stores in 2009, 163 total by end of 2010
• March 18, Drug Fair, 11 stores
• March 23, Pier 1, 80 stores
• April 3, Rite Aid, 117 stores
• April 21, Kirkland's, up to 40 stores
• April 29, Jones Apparel Group, 225 stores
• June 8, J.Jill, 75 stores
• June 16, Ruehl, 29 stores

Total Closings: up to 1,544 U.S. stores

Potential Impact of All Announcements to Date: 3,070 closures out of up to 4,863 potentially affected U.S. stores