Kekst & Co. is handling beleaguered retailer Abercrombie & Fitch's decision not to shop itself.
The company, which lost $61M on $661M first-quarter revenue, had been discussing a potential transaction with several suitors.
Those talks have been put on ice.
"After a comprehensive review of all relevant factors, with the assistance of our financial advisor, the A&F board of directors determined that the best path to enhance value for stockholders is the rigorous execution of our business plan," Arthur Martinez, executive chairman, said in a statement.
A&F is upbeat about remaining independent due to "solid comparable store sales momentum" at its Hollister brand, as well as "strategies to position the Abercrombie brand for revitalized performance."
Martinez anticipates A&F's "sound aggressive action" will deliver "enhanced performance and long-term stockholder value."
Dawn Dover of Kekst represents A&F.

QVC Group is using Joele Frank for strategic communications as the TV home shopping pioneer declares Chapter 11.
Publicis Groupe reported 4.5 percent Q1 organic growth in net revenues to $4.1B despite the volatile macro environment.
PondelWilkinson, the Los Angeles-based IR and strategic communications shop, has expanded to the East Coast by adding Anreder & Company veterans following the retirement of principal Steven Anreder.
Teneo represents American Ocean Minerals Corp as its merges with NASDAQ-listed Odyssey Marine Exploration to create a $1B deep-sea critical minerals research and mining platform that is under US-control.
Kekst CNC represents Cleveland-based Everstream as the business-only fiber network receives bankruptcy court approval for the sale of almost all of its operations to Bluebird Fiber for $385M.



