Golden Gate Capital, one of the numerous bidders interested in acquiring Eddie Bauer in yesterday's auction, came out the winner, according to WWD.

The $286 million cash bid beat out others from VF Corp., Iconix Brand Group Inc., CCMP Capital Advisors, Gordon Brothers and Hilco Consumer Capital.

Reportedly, Golden Gate intends to retain most of the company's employees and keep the stores in operation.

Eddie Bauer joins Spiegel and Newport News as an acquisition of Golden Gate, which also recently acquired Haband, Appleseed's, The Tog Shop, Draper's & Damon's, Sahalie and Norm Thompson, in addition to the retail operation it has through Express.