(Ian Ritter is national online editor for GlobeSt.com/RETAIL.)

CHEVY CHASE, MD-The Mills Corp. has finally released data that potential suitors of the troubled REIT have requested for months. The company filed an 8K document with the SEC that details the sales per sf at its malls, as well as occupancy rates at the centers, two leading indicators of its portfolio's financial health.

Mills' occupancy rates dropped to 87.9% at its centers as of Sept. 1, from 90.4% as of Dec. 1 last year. However, for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, sales per sf were $391, up from $372 during the same year-ago period. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, sales per sf at the average US mall are $392.

By comparison, Simon Property Group's sales per sf at its regional malls came in at $474 for the quarter ended Sept. 30. Occupancy rates were 92.5%. For its most recent quarter, also ended on Sept. 30, General Growth Properties' malls had sales per sf of $450, and occupancy rates averaged 92.4%.