NEW YORK CITY-Executives of the REIT, rumored to be one of the suitors for Mills, confirm at a conference they are "in dialogue" with the retail REIT. Officials estimate Mills could be worth as much as $9 billion.

NEW YORK CITY-Vornado executives, rumored to be one of the suitors for Mills, confirm they are "in dialogue" with the retail REIT.

PITTSBURGH-The company is opening 40 new stores this year and continues to open two-level units.

ST. LOUIS-The company plans to eventually operate between 70 and 75 units in the country after its $41.4-million, Bear Factory buy.

NEW YORK CITY-Shaky weather causes mixed results across the industry, and apparel's same-store sales falls 1% as a group.

LOUISVILLE, KY-The pizza chain is looking at urban and non-traditional sites, as well as international expansion in the coming years.

NEW YORK CITY-Even though the company's Q4 earnings dropped, execs are still on track with their major retail-expansion plans.

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI-The cellular-products chain plans to double its current store count to 250 units by the end of the year.