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Kohl’s is being courted, and that’s turbocharging its shares on Monday. Reuters reported Sunday that Sycamore Partners had approached the department store chain with a potential takeover offer of $9 billion.

The private equity firm is willing to pay at least $65 a share. That’s a 39% premium to Kohl’s last closing price. And it’s a buck more than last week’s offer from Acacia Research, which is backed by activist investment firm Starboard Value.

Kohl’s on Monday confirmed it has received letters expressing takeover interest, saying its board would review them. But it did not name the suitors.

Some analysts think Kohl’s is worth even more - as high as $80 a share - and that other bidders could jump into the fray.

All the interest swirling around Kohl’s drove its shares up by more than a third in early trading Monday, and it boosted those of rivals Macy’s and Nordstrom’s as well.

Analysts have applauded Kohl’s for its moves to partner with the likes of Sephora and Calvin Klein after it lost market share to off-price and online chains. But the market hasn’t been giving it credit with shares rising just 5% last year, and activist investors have pressured the chain to explore options that include a sale.