Clothing and home furnishing company Dillard's Inc. said it plans to form a real-estate investment trust, saying it believes the move will improve its liquidity.

In a regulatory filing, the Little Rock, Ark., company said various Dillard's entities will transfer interests in properties to the REIT, which will then lease the properties back to them.

"Dillard's believes the formation of a REIT may enhance its ability to access debt or preferred stock and thereby enhance its liquidity," the filing said.

Dillard's also said it had formed a captive insurance company, a wholly owned unit that it said will allow it to more efficiently manage its risks and provide it access to more reinsurance markets.