An unsubstantiated rumor circulating during the Basel 2001 World Watch and Jewelry Show was that luxury-goods conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Paris, was planning to buy the Florida-based upscale Mayor’s Jewelers chain. Not true, according to Mayor’s CFO David Boudreau.

”There are a lot of rumors flying around out there, but as far as I know, that is absolutely not true,” Boudreau told JCK. He said Mayors has ”engaged an investment banker, TM Capital Corp. of Manhattan [New York], to evaluate all our strategic alternatives to increase shareholder value,’ but he says the firm is on the front end of that process.

Jessica Barist, LVMH spokeswoman refused to comment, saying, ”It’s the company’s policy not to comment on rumors.”

JCK