Little Debbie maker may
get some Hostess brandsHostess has picked the maker of Little Debbie as the lead bidder for its Drake's cakes, including Devil Dogs, Funny Bones and Yodels. McKee Foods bid $27.5 million for them, according to a bankruptcy court filing. United States Bakery Inc. offered $28.9 million for Irving-based Hostess' Sweetheart, Eddy's, Standish Farms and Grandma Emilie's bread brands.That offer includes four bakeries, 14 depots and equipment. Hostess earlier this month picked Flowers Foods, maker of Nature's Own bread, as lead bidder for six major bread brands including Wonder. The fate of Twinkies and other Hostess cakes is still being negotiated-- The Associated PressToyota pushes GM out oftop automaker spotToyota is officially the world's top automaker again.Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday its global vehicles sales last year hit a record 9.748 million vehicles -- more than the estimate it gave last month of about 9.7 million vehicles.It was already clear Toyota had dethroned General Motors Co., as the Detroit-based automaker fell short, selling 9.29 million vehicles. GM had been the top-selling automaker for more than seven decades before losing the title to Toyota in 2008.-- The Associated PressBarnes & Noble plans to operate fewer storesBarnes & Noble's retail group chief, Mitchell Kipper, said in an interview published Monday in The Wall Street Journal that the company will have 450 to 500 stores in a decade. That's down from about 689 currently.Kipper said the chain plans to close about 20 stores a year over the period. The largest traditional U.S. bookstore has been facing tough competition from online retailers and discounters.-- The Associated PressPending home salesindex drops 4.3 percentA measure of the number of Americans signing contracts to buy homes declined last month, apparently held back by a limited supply of available homes.The National Association of Realtors said its seasonally adjusted index for pending home sales dropped 4.3 percent in December from November to 101.7. That's still 6.9 percent higher than a year ago.-- The Associated PressHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
