Talbots hires advisor to help sell J. Jill

Talbots Inc., a Hingham-based retailer known for its classic styles of women's clothing, said it has retained Moelis & Co. to serve as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with the sale of its J. Jill clothing brand.

According to its website, Moelis is an investment bank with offices in such cities as New York, Boston, and London.

(The photo at right was taken from J. Jill's online catalogue.)

Talbots disclosed its plans to pursue the sale of the J. Jill brand on Nov. 6 as it seeks to "focus management resources and capital exclusively on its core Talbots business," Talbots said.

Talbots said today that it "does not intend to update its progress or disclose developments with respect to the sale of the J. Jill brand unless or until a definitive transaction is entered into."

A Globe story on the disclosure of Talbots' plan to sell J. Jill cited retail analysts who said it will be difficult in this tough economic environment for Talbots to find a buyer willing to purchase a struggling retail chain.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)