Latest News

Save E-mail Print Most Popular RSS Reprints

Gitanjali eyeing Whitehall leases in Midwest, CA

By Michelle Graff
September 03, 2008

Similar Stories | Topics

Mumbai, India—Indian jewelry retailer Gitanjali Gems will most likely obtain the leases for a handful of Whitehall Jewelers stores, National Jeweler has learned.

Gitanjali USA Inc. Chief Executive Officer Nehal Modi told National Jeweler on Wednesday that Gitanjali likely would have the leases for 50-60 stores currently operated by Whitehall Jewelers Holdings Inc.

Whitehall, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June, operates 375 stores under the brands Whitehall Jewellers, Marks Bros. Jewellers and Lundstrom Jewellers.

Going-out-of-business sales at all of Whitehall's stores started on Aug. 13.

Modi said Gitanjali is interested in Whitehall stores in the Midwest and California, where the Mumbai, India-based company already operates the Rogers and Samuels jewelry chains, the two U.S. retailers it purchased in recent years.

The Whitehall stores obtained by Gitanjali will then become Rogers- or Samuels-brand stores, depending on location.

Modi said decisions on these leases will be made within the next two to three months, and that Gitanjali would assume the leases in January.

Gitanjali first entered the U.S. market in December 2006 when it acquired Austin, Texas-based Samuels Jewelers. It then bought Middletown, Ohio-based Rogers Jewelers in November 2007.

Gitanjali is not the only foreign company interested in snatching up pieces of the now-defunct Whitehall chain.

Australia-based jewelry store chain Michael Hill International Ltd. announced on Aug. 22 that it would buy 17 Whitehall stores, 15 in Illinois and two in Missouri, as a going concern.
Save E-mail Print Most Popular RSS Reprints
Post a Comment
* Required field
* Author:
* Comment:
 

More Brand Profiles

Movado Lincoln Center Watch
Movado watch fetes 50 years of pirouettes, solos

A night out at the New York City Ballet or Jazz at Lincoln Center is bound to be memorable, but Movado hopes to help make it more so with a new version of its iconic "Museum" watch.  Read More

Raymond Weil forms U.S. distribution company
More News

More Like This

Foreign retailers bullish on U.S., despite slowdown
November 04, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
As big jewelers tumble, who loses, wins business?
September 24, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
DJM Realty to handle remaining Whitehall leases
September 16, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
Store-closing sales begin today at Whitehall
August 13, 2008 | National Jeweler Network
Judge gives Whitehall OK for liquidation
August 11, 2008 | National Jeweler Network

Design Portfolio

advertisement

Video

Small multi video player located on right rail of NJN site

advertisement

Sponsored by:

Retailer Toolbar

America's Best Jewelers
Join the ONLY Social Network for Jewelry Retailers. Get access to expert content, peer best practices, and more.
Start networking today.
Newsletters
Newsletters
Topic-specific newsletters that deliver the latest news on jewelry, diamonds, wholesale operations and high-volume buying directly to your in-box.
Reader Connect
ReaderConnect
Supplier information presented with every article, bringing you related, actionable content on every topic.
Jewelry Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages
A comprehensive listing of associations, organizations, suppliers and services for the jewelry industry.
Classifieds
Classifieds
A comprehensive listing of job postings, product offerings and other materials for sale for the jewelry industry.
NJN Customer Connect
CustomerConnect
The most sophisticated suite of marketing services available for jewelry retailers, from Internet tools to data marketing.

advertisement