The Spiegel Group, Downers Grove, IL, will close 25 Eddie Bauer stores this year and will open 10 new stores with merchandise that extends beyond the retailer's traditional casual style.
Debbie Koopman, vice president of corporate and investor relations at Spiegel, said under-performing stores whose leases expire this year would be targeted for closings. She did not know how many employees would be affected.
The closings, along with the new stores, will bring the number of Eddie Bauer stores to 451 nationwide by the end of the year, excluding outlets. The new stores will have telephones that will allow customers to place catalog orders for items not on store shelves.
