Is a Neiman Marcus IPO in the Works?

On Tuesday, retail stocks popped after better-than-expected July sales. Now another retailer appears to want in on the public trading act.

Neiman Marcus, a high-end department-store chain based in Dallas, is seriously considering an IPO, the Wall Street Journal reports. Here’s what the Journal wrote earlier today:

“An IPO isn't imminent, but Neiman is working to dress itself up as a company with potential to grow by beefing up its online sales efforts, venturing overseas and wooing analysts at Wall Street banks, according to the people familiar with the matter.”

At present, the retailer is privately held by Warburg Pincus LLC and TPG. The firm bought Neiman Marcus seven years ago and has been planning an exit for some time.

With the company no longer worth the $5.1 billion Warburg and TPG paid for it, the firm is looking to avoid selling and eating its losses. So an IPO may be its best bet.

On the heels of a strong month for U.S. retail sales, perhaps Neiman Marcus will strike while the iron is hot.