The holiday outlook for the posh fashion labels sold at Neiman Marcus just got a little more risky.
A top credit insurer for the Dallas-based owner of Bergdorf Goodman recently stopped extending risk protection for shipments of high-priced clothing and accessories to Neiman’s stores, The Post has learned.
Coface, one of the three industry’s largest trade-credit insurers, has stopped insuring Neiman Marcus’ inventory receivables — a move that could force some brands to stop doing business with Neiman in the coming weeks, sources said.
“When an insurer says they won’t cover your store that’s a very bad sign,” said Richard Kestenbaum, a partner at Triangle Capital. ”It means that an insurer who is an expert in evaluating risk in retail doesn’t think you’re worth the risk and that’s a disturbing indicator.”
Another source who provides similar shipping-insurance services for Neiman agreed that “the Coface decision shows a concern by the insurer that the situation is getting quite stressed.”
Nevertheless, not everyone agrees that the retailer’s situation is dire.
“We are supporting them strongly,” said Hildun Corp. Chief Executive Gary Wassner, who provides financing for Neiman Marcus’ vendors. “I don’t see that much has changed. The situation is what it is.”
Coface, which provides credit insurance for many European brands, did not immediately respond to emails and calls seeking comment.
Industry experts said Coface’s decision is likely due to a deteriorating financial performance at Neiman, which operates 43 stores plus Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
On June 21, the swanky retailer filed a notice with the Securities Exchange Commission that it has stopped filing financial statements.
The company is privately held but some of its debt trades publicly. It has the ability to post financial results on its “private investor portal,” Neiman spokesperson said, declining to respond to questions about Coface.
Neiman’s revenues declined 9.3 percent in the quarter ended April 27 to $1.0 billion, according to its last publicly filed earnings report while its operating income declined by $10 million from a year ago to $41 million. The company also lost $31.1 million in the quarter compared to $19.8 million a year ago.
It holds about $5 billion in debt.