Wickes OKs Sale of Apparel Chain

Wickes Cos. announced late Friday that it has reached an agreement in principle to sell its Woman’s World Shops to Amcena Corp. of New York.

Terms were not disclosed.

The stores, which specialize in large-size women’s apparel, were among assets targeted by Santa Monica-based Wickes to be sold as part of a major restructuring.

Included in the sale are 178 Woman’s World stores, 22 the Woman’s Shops, 16 Xxtra Special stores and six Modern Woman stores in 33 states.

Amcena, a privately held retailer, owns 12 Ohrbach’s department stores in Los Angeles and New York as well as a number of chains around the country, including Millers Outpost and the Lodge at Harvard Square.

Amcena said it intends to keep the same name and management for the operations it is buying.

“The sale is consistent with the recent streamlining and redirection of our company,” Wickes’ Chairman Sanford C. Sigoloff said. “It reflects our commitment to focus Wickes’ attention on those business areas that we feel can best benefit the company and accelerate our growth.”