State's jobless rate dips

The state's jobless rate slipped two-tenths of a point to 4.9 percent in December, the state Department of Labor and Industry said yesterday, amid mixed signals about the economy. On the plus side, 10,000 more residents found work last month; on the downside, the labor force -- the number of Pennsylvanians working or seeking work -- also fell in December below the year-ago level, a sign of economic weakness, not strength. A separate count of payrolls showed businesses in the state added only 300 workers last month, the 10th straight monthly increase but the smallest during that span, the state said.

Job cuts at Ross Park Mall

Federated Department Stores has told state officials it expects to eliminate 185 jobs when it consolidates its Macy's and Kaufmann's department stores at Ross Park Mall in late March or early April -- adding to 360 positions already slated to be eliminated when the Kaufmann's at South Hills Village closes in early April. The company, which owns the Macy's chain and last year purchased Kaufmann's owner May Department Stores, plans to shift the Macy's store at the Ross Park Mall to the Kaufmann's location.

Ariba cuts quarterly loss

Sunnyvale, Calif-based Ariba Inc. said its losses fell sharply in its fiscal first quarter, with a net loss of $3.7 million, or 6 cents per diluted share, including charges, vs. a loss of $46.8 million, or 75 cents per diluted share. The charges included restructuring, stock-based compensation and amortization. Revenues for the software and services firm with Downtown-based operations were $76.2 million vs. $86.9 million a year ago.

Supervalu buying Albertson's

An investment group led by Supervalu Inc. and CVS Corp. said yesterday it will would buy Albertson's Inc. for $9.7 billion in cash and stock. Supervalu, which is selling 20 Shop 'n Save stores in the Pittsburgh area, will become the nation's second-largest grocer, behind Kroger Co., with the takeover of 1,124 stores under the banners of Albertson's and four other grocery chains. CVS is purchasing about 700 stand-alone drugstores and a distribution center.

Also in business ...

R.A. Whitling & Associates, a land surveying firm in Murrysville, has merged with R.A. Smith & Associates Inc., of Brookfield, Wis. ... The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and CombineNet have formed a joint venture, CombineMed, to cut costs through online negotiations between suppliers of drugs and medical equipment and health-care providers ... Mylan Laboratories Inc. said the Food and Drug Administration tentatively approved its generic version of Eisai Co.'s Aciphex acid reflux therapy.