Ineligible inventory – a category of assets that banks avoid lending against – can represent a double-edged sword for asset-based lenders. On the one hand, lenders know that when they don’t lend against such items as raw materials, samples, in-transit goods, or slow-moving inventory, they can often leave themselves a cushion to recoup value and mitigate risk. On the other and, experienced lenders are not […]

The notion that food is a safe-harbor business in rocky economic times is as old as the phrase “People have to eat.” And safer harbors, of course, tend to attract lots of ships, which is why food can be found nearly everywhere today. Perishable and non-perishable groceries, for example, are routinely available in the drug and dollar stores that are blanketing the country. This trend […]

Appraisal firms are often asked by lenders if condensing a retail chain’s store base early on, or even prior to, the beginning of a liquidation sale will enhance the overall net recovery value (NOLV) of the inventory. Early closures present unique expense savings opportunities to liquidators since bankruptcy court protections can allow for the exiting of locations prior to actual lease termination dates. On paper, […]

The typical convenience store or travel center buzzes with life amid a steady influx of customers. These businesses blanket the country — with an estimated 150,000 c-stores and 1,230 travel plazas and truck stops. While they charge higher prices than supermarkets, they make up for this by having more convenient locations, shorter cashier lines and longer hours.

But customers aren’t the only frequent visitors: Vendors, too, […]