Unique: Mattress Tub & Past making ready to file chapter as quickly as this week

NEW YORK, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Mattress Tub & Past Inc (BBBY.O) is making ready to hunt chapter safety as quickly as this week, and has lined up liquidators to shut further shops except a last-minute purchaser emerges, 4 folks accustomed to the matter stated on Monday.

The timing of any chapter submitting was in flux Monday night, with the U.S. house items retailer’s advisers locked in conferences exploring any remaining choices to keep away from it, one other particular person accustomed to the matter stated.

Mattress Tub & Past is negotiating a mortgage to assist it navigate chapter proceedings, with funding agency Sixth Avenue in talks to offer some funding, two of the folks stated. The agency loaned Mattress Tub & Past $375 million final yr.

The chain, as soon as thought-about a class killer in house items like dinnerware and small home equipment, has lined up liquidators who’re readying retailer closing gross sales that might be launched as quickly as this weekend, two of the folks stated.

The folks spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the talks usually are not public.

The chain has stated it’s closing 87 Mattress Tub & Past shops and 5 buybuy BABY shops, along with 150 closures introduced final yr. It’s also shutting its well being and wonder low cost chain Harmon.

The folks cautioned {that a} last-minute purchaser for the chain might emerge, or it might nonetheless ink a deal for its manufacturers similar to buybuy BABY. Potential consumers typically wait till an organization information for chapter earlier than agreeing to buy belongings, hoping to barter extra favorable phrases.

Mattress Tub & Past stated in an announcement to Reuters that it continued to work with its advisers to think about “a number of paths” however declined to touch upon any chapter planning.

The corporate has beforehand stated it was exploring a variety of choices to deal with plunging gross sales, together with promoting belongings, elevating financing and declaring chapter.

Sixth Avenue declined to remark.

Mattress Tub & Past stated final week it defaulted on a mortgage, bringing it nearer to chapter. Sources have additionally advised Reuters that Mattress Tub & Past is contemplating skipping debt funds due on Feb. 1, a typical transfer that distressed corporations take to preserve money.

Retailers in misery typically resolve to file for chapter safety after the vacation season to benefit from the money cushion offered by current gross sales.

Toys R Us liquidated in March 2018 in one of many largest failures so far of a specialty retailer.

As of February 2022, Mattress Tub & Past had 953 areas, together with buybuy BABY.

Mattress Tub & Past for years had been thought-about a go-to procuring vacation spot for {couples} making wedding ceremony registries and planning for brand new infants, but it surely misplaced its footing when it tried to develop into retailer manufacturers.

The retailer’s administration has since reversed course and aimed to herald nationwide manufacturers customers knew the chain for. However the technique has not gained traction with customers.

Earlier this month, the corporate raised doubts about its capacity to proceed as a going concern and stated it could reduce jobs.

Mattress Tub & Past reported a lack of about $393 million after gross sales plunged 33% for the quarter ending Nov. 26.

Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli and Mike Spector; Modifying by Cynthia Osterman and Jamie Freed

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.