The Talbots Inc announced it has retained Moelis & Company to serve as the Company's exclusive financial advisor in connection with the sale of its J. Jill brand. Gregory Shaia, Managing Director at Moelis & Company and former Head of Retail Investment Banking for Bear Stearns, will act as lead advisor on the sale.
Trudy F. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Talbots, Inc., commented, "We are pleased to be working with Moelis & Company, and particularly with Greg Shaia, whose more than 20 years of advising on some of the largest retail transactions in the industry, will be an invaluable asset as we move forward with the sale of the J. Jill brand."
Talbots announced its plans to pursue the sale of the J. Jill brand on November 6, 2008. This will enable the Company to focus management resources and capital exclusively on its core Talbots business, which it believes is the right strategic decision to drive long-term increased shareholder value.
The Company does not intend to update its progress or disclose developments with respect to the sale of the J. Jill brand unless or until a definitive transaction is entered into.