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 until a last-minute purchaser emerges, 4 folks acquainted with the matter mentioned on Monday.

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

Mattress Tub & Past is negotiating a mortgage to assist it navigate chapter proceedings, with funding agency Sixth Road in talks to offer some funding, two of the folks mentioned. The agency loaned Mattress Tub & Past $375 million final 12 months.

The chain, as soon as thought-about a class killer in residence 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 mentioned.

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

The chain has mentioned it’s closing 87 Mattress Tub & Past shops and 5 buybuy BABY shops, along with 150 closures introduced final 12 months. It is usually shutting its well being and wonder low cost chain Harmon.

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

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

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

Sixth Road declined to remark.

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

Retailers in misery typically determine to file for chapter safety after the vacation season to reap the benefits of the money cushion supplied by latest 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 buying vacation spot for {couples} making marriage ceremony registries and planning for brand spanking 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 usher in 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 capability to proceed as a going concern and mentioned it might 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; Enhancing by Cynthia Osterman and Jamie Freed

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.