Aeropostale preparing for bankruptcy as soon as this month: Bloomberg

[BENGALURU] Struggling teen apparel retailer Aeropostale Inc is preparing to file for bankruptcy as soon as this month, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of Aeropostale were halted, pending news, after falling 27.7 per cent to a record low of 15.1 US cents in afternoon trading.

The company is looking to reorganize under Chapter 11, Bloomberg said, citing the people. The retailer is trying to work out a loan to finance its operations during the bankruptcy process, and a deal to avert a filing or find a buyer could still emerge, Bloomberg said.

The New York Stock Exchange said on Thursday it had suspended trading of Aeropostale shares and started the delisting process.

An Aeropostale spokeswoman declined to comment to Reuters.

The company said in March it was exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale, citing a dispute with MGF Sourcing US.

MGF is an affiliate of private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, which had thrown a lifeline of US$150 million to the struggling apparel retailer in 2014 and previously owned an 8 per cent stake.

REUTERS