Ketchum is handling financial communications for United Retail Group, the Chapter 11 retailer which runs 433 plus-size Avenue clothing stores in the U.S.
Private equity firm Versa Capital Management is working to close a deal to buy and operate the retail business while URS is shut down after creditors are paid. A bankruptcy court will consider approval of the deal on April 3.
Mac McNeer, a Chicago-based VP at Ketchum who was previously with Sard Verbinnen & Co., is handling URS, which is based in Rochelle Park, N.J., and filed for bankruptcy protection in February citing assets of $117.2M and debt of $67.3M.
Versa works with Abernathy MacGregor Group for PR and counts Bob’s Stores, Black Angus Steakhouse and Polartec fabrics among its portfolio.