A New York Post report said that Sycamore Partners and KKR & Co LP, both private equity firms, would be placing their bids to buy Jones Group. The private equity firms, citing anonymous sources, would be bidding for the retailer no later than this week. The Post earlier reported that Sycamore and KKR could place a joint bid on buying the company as a whole.

The Jones Group, who owns the Nine West and Jones New York retail chains, would be ending its prolonged auction soon. The Post had reported that the company auction had attracted interest from buyout shops like Sun Capital Partners, Leonard Green & Partners and Golden Gate Capital.

One of the sources who is close to the process had told The Post, "The goal is to have it wrapped up before the deadline (for second-round bids)."

Although the sources did not disclose how much were Sycamore and KKR bidding for the retailer, investors speculated that the Jones Group could get a bid around the USD17 to USD18 per share range.

The private equity firms could not be reached for comment outside US business hours by Reuters. The fashion retailer was unavailable for comment as well.