Wickes may break up its Howard chain to sell it.

Santa Monica-based Wickes, which had previously announced that it would sell the Monroe, La., general merchandise retailer, said it has received only one purchase offer, which was significantly below what was considered acceptable. If no other acceptable bid is received in the next two weeks to buy the entire chain, Wickes will begin selling selected groupings of Howard BranDiscount Stores and closing others. Separately, James Dismore, Howard’s president, resigned.