Even though some employees of its Fingerhut online retailing business have been laid off, it is not too late for a potential buyer to purchase the operation, the chief executive of Federated Department Stores Inc. said Friday.

        James Zimmerman, also Federated's chairman, said he still does not know whether the retailer will sell Minnetonka, Minn.-based Fingerhut in one or several pieces.

        One plan to sell the company earlier this year fell through while another bid was submitted by a group that includes former Fingerhut owner and chief executive Ted Deikel.

        Federated spokeswoman Carol Sanger confirmed the new offer Friday, saying Mr. Deikel and wholesaler Tom Petters of Eden Prairie, Minn., made an offer “for certain assets of Fingerhut.”

        Mr. Petters said the offer would include integrating Fingerhut assets with some of their existing businesses — which range from e-commerce to wholesaling.
— The Associated Press

Fed to end discount rate break
Companies doing more with less
Federated chief rebuts prognosis
Fingerhut sale still possible
Peoples Bank names chairman
Procter leaving Chemed
Ex-employees note Baldwin anniversary
Lebanon Plastics sold to Michigan firm
Demand for U.S. goods offsets high price of oil
Duncan: 'Destroy' was never said
Fast-food giant now known as Yum
HIGGINS: Personal Finance
Portman to talk on retirement legislation
Rate report
Savvy Strategies
Business Digest
Tristate Summary
What's the Buzz?