Eddie Bauer introduces rental program

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Jul 15, 2021

American lifestyle and outdoor brand Eddie Bauer announced on Wednesday the launch of its first rental program with the aim to offer affordable technical apparel and gear to encourage more people to get outside. 

Now available at rentals.eddiebauer.com, items on offer range from technical rainwear and insulated parkas, to tents, sleeping bags, hikers and more, and can be rented for a fraction of the full retail price. The new initiative gives consumers across the contiguous United States the opportunity to try items before they commit to a large purchase, to secure quality gear for a "once-a-year" trip, or to try a new activity affordably. 

"Adventure should be self-prescribed. It looks different to everyone, and living your adventure can take many forms," said Damien Huang, Eddie Bauer CEO. 

"Through our first rental program, we hope to reach even more people, offering them the gear, apparel, and resources they need to get outside—whether it's a hike in their local state park or a backpacking trip they've been planning all year.”

Many retailers have been quick to embrace rental services. Most recently, Rebecca Minkoff debuted a new rental experience launched by B2B retail tech platform CaaStle, joining brands such as Banana Republic, Express, Destination Maternity, and Rebecca Taylor, to name a few who are powering subscription-based rental services in the U.S.

Similarly, outdoor brands including REI and Patagonia equally offer versions of rental programs or sell used products as a way to encourage sustainability, and to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible to all communities. 

Eddie Bauer was purchased by Authentic Brands Group, and SPARC, back in May. As part of the acquisition, ABG now owns Eddie Bauer’s intellectual property, while the brand’s core operating business is a part of the SPARC portfolio of brands.