'For the most part we've been able to meet our projected demand for stores.'

NEW YORK CITY-Merrill Lynch's layoff of 4,000 people won't have a short-term impact on office leasing, but it is another cloud over the financial-services sector, observers say.

So it's really starting now. Sears, Kroger and others are vying for the rebate checks the government will issue consumers next month as part of a $168 billion economic stimulus plan to get the economy back on track. The Kroger plan would allow customers to exchange their rebate checks for gift cards...

An article in the Wall Street Journal (via Reuters) reports that General Growth Properties is looking at placing some of its marquee malls in joint-venture deals to pay off the REIT's $18.7 billion of debt. High-end assets that the company owns outright, such as Fashion Show Mall and the Grand Canal...

It seems that Circuit City's management was just as surprised as we were about a proposed $1.3-billion offer to acquire the company by Blockbuster. We were weighing a possible deal last week after reading a Business Week article but didn't expect this. "The combination...will result in an $18 billion...

ISTANBUL-Cushman buys out its Turkish partner as the firm continues to grow in Europe.

ISTANBUL-Cushman buys out its Turkish partner as the firm continues to grow in Europe.

We just read a Business Week story that ponders whether or not Circuit City is putting itself up for sale. The retailer is getting pressure from investor Mark Wattles, who owns a 6.5% stake in the company, and other investors, to make changes. And there are rumors, the article says, that Circuit City's...