Rue21 Opening 100 Stores

Sure, it won't make up for the vacancies left behind by Circuit City and Linens 'n Things, but some retailers out there are sizably expanding. The latest is value teen apparel chain Rue21, which plans to open 100 new stores this year.The retailer, which went public late last year, currently operates 535 units in strip centers, mostly in secondary markets where this kind of expansion is probably needed.The announcement comes as Rue21 reported very strong fourth-quarter results. The retailer's same-store sales rose 8.6%, and net income hit $7.7 million, up from $4.6 million during the same year-ago period.Do expansions by retailers like Rue21 take some pressure off of landlords, or are there just too many retailers like Movie Gallery and Blockbuster closing their doors out there for it to make a difference?ALSO: Why Men's Wearhouse Is Dressing Down