Struggling Levitz Asks 10 Shops for Proposals

Levitz Furniture Inc., which has operated under Bankruptcy Court protection since 1997, has asked 10 advertising agencies to submit proposals. The nation’s No. 2 home-furniture retailer said it would name three semifinalists in April and announce the winner in May. A division of True North Communications Inc.’s Bozell Worldwide unit that has handled Levitz’s creative advertising since December 1997 is competing for the account. Levitz has struggled in recent years even though the overall furniture industry has prospered. Rival chains have succeeded by offering updated styles and more-innovative merchandising. Boca Raton, Fla.-based Levitz said it might consolidate its creative and media duties with a single agency. True North Media currently handles its media services. Levitz has 63 stores in 13 states, down from 90 in December.