J.C. Penney Sale Talks Stall Ahead of Crucial Holiday Season
- Lenders, potential buyers enter mediation to hash out deal
- Standstill comes as retailer prepares holiday inventory
A plan to sell bankrupt J.C. Penney Co.’s retail operations to its two biggest landlords stalled this week, raising the prospect that creditors will carry the burden of millions of dollars in extra costs as the retailer prepares for the crucial holiday season.
Talks between J.C. Penney’s lenders and the would-be buyers, mall owners Simon Property Group Inc. and Brookfield Property Partners LP, broke down in recent days, according to people with knowledge of the negotiations. The landlords missed several deal deadlines as communication between the parties lapsed, the people added.
The two sides will now turn to mediation to help them determine if they can close the deal, and on what terms, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. They met to begin that process Wednesday, the people said.