Jewelry chain files Chapter 11—again

FINANCE A Texas-based jewelry retailer has filed for bankruptcy protection amid a legal probe of its Indian-based parent company Samuels Jewelers said that its approximately 122 stores and its e-commerce site will remain open for business as the company seeks to restructure its finances while continuing normal business operations.

The retailer, which listed liabilities between $100 million and $500 in its Chapter 11 filing, said it expects the restructuring process will enable it to significantly reduce its outstanding debt "We are confident that we are taking the right steps for Samuels Jewelers," said Farhad Wadia, CEO, Samuels Jewelers, which operates stores under the Samuels Diamonds, Samuels Jewelers, Schubach Jewelers, Rogers Jewelers, and Andrews Jewelers banners Samuel Jewelers is owned by India's Gitanjali Gems Ltd, whose chairman Mehul Chinubhai and his nephew, jewelry designer Nirav Modi, are wanted by the Indian authorities in connection with an alleged $2 billion bank fraud against the country's Punjab National Bank.

Samuel's first filed for Chapter 11 in 1992, when it was owned by Barry's Jewelers, and did so again in 1997 In 1998, the company changed its name to Samuels Jewelers, and sold a majority stake to DDJ Capital Management. . Source