Neiman Marcus says exploring alternatives, including sale

Luxury fashion retailer Neiman Marcus Group Ltd LLC [NMRCUS.UL] said on Tuesday it was exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale of the company.

The move, which comes about two months after the company pulled its IPO, highlights the struggles faced by department store operators as they look to reduce costs amid sliding sales.

Neiman Marcus also reported a 6.1 percent drop in second-quarter revenue as issues in its new merchandising and distribution system forced the company to take additional markdowns.

The retailer has hired investment bank Lazard Ltd to explore ways to bolster its balance sheet as it seeks relief from $4.9 billion in debt, Reuters reported this month.

Neiman Marcus, which also operates the Bergdorf Goodman and MyTheresa brands, was acquired by private equity firm Ares Management LP and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for $6 billion in 2013.

(Reporting by Sruthi Ramakrishnan in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)