Zale Said to Explore Sale of Piercing Pagoda Business

Zale Corp. is exploring the sale of its Piercing Pagoda kiosk business to focus on its fine jewelry operations, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Buyout firms including Apollo Global Management LLC are looking at the division, according to the people, who declined to be identified because deliberations are private. The unit, whose sales topped $226 million in the year ended July 31, is profitable, the people said.