RETAILING

Frederick’s of Hollywood May Go on the Block: The venerable lingerie retailer has retained the investment banker Janney Montgomery Scott Inc. to explore a possible sale of the stock held by a family trust that controls 50.2% of the company, or the sale of all of the stock or a merger. Other options include asset sales, a share repurchase, recapitalization or joint venture, the Los Angeles-based company said. Frederick’s earnings have been hurt by general weakness in the apparel market as well as the emergence of rivals like Victoria’s Secret and Cacique in malls across the country. Frederick’s was founded in 1946 by Frederick Mellinger, who introduced the first push-up bra. Its flagship store on Hollywood Boulevard has long been a local tourist attraction.