The sale of Lucky Brand Dungarees, Inc. and Juicy Couture Inc. by Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. (NYSE:FNP) is attracting interest from private-equity firms and strategic buyers, reported Bloomberg citing people with knowledge of the matter. The people added that the brands could be sold together or separately, and their combined value is at least $700 million. The people said that V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC), E.Land Co.Ltd., Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and Advent International Corporation are among those that have signed confidentiality agreements for access to Fifth & Pacific’s financial data. According to another person familiar with the matter, Authentic Brands Group LLC may bid for Juicy Couture. Three people added that Fifth & Pacific has told bidders to submit first-round offers by the end of April 2013, with the goal of a sale in July 2013. Fifth & Pacific hired boutique investment banks Perella Weinberg Partners LP and Centerview Partners LLC to handle the sale, said the people familiar with the situation. Representatives at Fifth & Pacific, Authentic and Advent declined to comment. Officials at V.F. Corporation and Leonard Green didn’t return calls seeking comment. Representatives for E.Land didn’t immediately respond to messages sent outside normal business hours.

Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and Apollo Global Management, LLC are reportedly considering a potential buyout of J. C. Penney Company, Inc., The Deal reported. If deal happens, it would provide the funds the company needs for a turnaround.

True Religion Apparel Inc. accepted first round bids from Apax Partners LLP; Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.; The Carlyle Group LP; and Marcello Bottoli, Board Member of True Religion backed by Advent International Corporation, according to sources. True Religion said it hired Guggenheim Securities to explore a possible sale in October 2012. According to New York post, Bottoli didn't respond to a request for comment, and spokespersons for True Religion and Advent International, officials at Carlyle, Apax and Leonard Green declined to comment.