Troubles Mount for House of Fraser Owner SanpowerSanpower-owned Brookstone Inc. has filed for bankruptcy protection while House of Fraser continues to look for an investor.

[Collection]LONDON — Chinese conglomerate Sanpower has suffered yet another blow, this time in the U.S., as it continues to hunt for a new buyer for the troubled British retail chain House of Fraser. Sanpower has filed for bankruptcy protection for its quirky electronics and homeware chain, Brookstone Inc., in the U.S. Across the pond, it is hoping to find a new investor to replace C.banner, which canceled a deal last week to buy a 51 percent stake in HoF. A HoF spokeswoman said Tuesday that talks with potential investors are ongoing, and she declined to comment on when a deal might emerge. Sanpower Sourcing Group is the largest creditor in the Brookstone bankruptcy, and is owed $39.4 million. As part of the bankruptcy plan, the company intends to shut half of its 59 stores, which famously sell novelty items, gadgets and electronics, such as drones, at-home massagers and fitness-tracking devices. “Today we have taken several important steps to restructure the business and ensure that Brookstone will be well-positioned to succeed for years to come,” Brookstone’s chief executive officer Piau Phang Foo confirmed last week. “The decision to close our mall stores was difficult, but ultimately provides an opportunity to maintain our well-respected brand and award-winning products

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