UPDATE 1-National Wholesale Liquidators files for Chapter 11

(Adds details about GE cutting credit)

By Chelsea Emery

NEW YORK, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Discount retailer National Wholesale Liquidators has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a company representative said on Tuesday.

The privately held company, which sells housewares and electronics at discounted and wholesale prices, filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware late on Monday, said Robert Pidgeon, head of human relations.

"It has to do with the credit crisis in the country, what's going on getting financing," Pidgeon told Reuters.

Before the bankruptcy filing, the West Hempstead, New York, company had alerted vendors that General Electric (GEA.N) (GE.N) had cut its credit availability by $15 million over the last few weeks.

This had put a "major hardship" on its ability to pay current and past bills, according to a letter to vendors seen by Reuters.

The company, founded in 1984, has about 55 stores offering more than 120,000 items, including brand-name close-out goods.

The stores are located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, Michigan and Illinois, according to the company's website. (Reporting by Chelsea Emery; Editing by Ted Kerr and Andre Grenon)