Federated Near Bridal Group Sale

CINCINNATI-Federated Department Stores executives say they expect to sell their Bridal Group by the end of the third quarter. The division, with more than 700 stores under the names David’s Bridal, After Hours Formalwear and Priscilla of Boston, were acquired as part of the May Department Stores purchase in August 2005.

Federated management has said since the May purchase that it would sell the Bridal Group. Since the merger, the company has sold the Lord & Taylor chain and about 60 May department stores that were in duplicate locations with existing Federated units.

Federated is getting closer to the re-launch of its Macy’s brand, which it expects to complete Sept. 9. That will entail the re-branding of about 400 former May stores across the country into Macy’s units. So far Macy’s merchandise has entered some of the stores and signage is currently being converted.