Destination Maternity, French company call off merger plan

Moorestown-based retailer Destination Maternity and the European company Orchestra-Premaman S.A. have called off a merger announced in December, the two said Thursday.Moorestown-based retailer Destination Maternity and the European company Orchestra-Premaman S.A. have called off a merger announced in December, the two said Thursday.

In a news release, the American maternity apparel company and French children’s clothing firm said issues with securities regulations and other requirements, including a U.S. listing of Orchestra securities, proved to be prohibitively difficult and expensive.

The companies have agreed to reimburse each other for certain costs tied to the merger plan, and Orchestra has agreed to certain restrictions related to its ownership of Destination Maternity stock.

Destination Maternity, which operates more than 1,150 retail locations in North America and has franchises globally, also owns the brands Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod.