BUSINESS BRIEFING / RETAILING

Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc., the U.S. outdoor-clothing chain, may seek bankruptcy protection as soon as this week, according to five people with knowledge of the discussions.

Hilco Consumer Capital has expressed interest in bidding on the company’s assets, the sources said. CCMP Capital Advisors, a private-equity firm based in New York, may also make an offer for the retailer, the people said.