Events

Denver -- Junction Solutions was was recognized as the 2014 U.S. Microsoft Dynamics AX Retail Partner of the Year. The company was honored among the top Microsoft partners for demonstrating sales excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

As part of its recent Fall Expo Event, Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based global investor and technology accelerator that specializes in growing tech startups, held a startup pitch competition with 19 companies that are part of its Brand and Retail Accelerator program.

Leading commerce platform Shopify is gearing up for its fifth annual Build A Business competition, which it touts as the world's biggest entrepreneurial contest encouraging anyone with a great business idea to start selling.

New York -- Nearly three-quarters (74%) of U.S. households plan to spend money on Halloween-related items, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Halloween Consumer Spending Survey. The total for Halloween-related spending is expected to be approximately $11.3 billion in 2014.

The return of LeBron James and much-anticipated Republican National Convention are not the only good news items about Cleveland, Ohio, and the entire northeast part of the State, home to over 4 million people.

Niagara Falls, N.Y. -- Macerich announced that its outlet property Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA will open the doors of its planned expansion on Oct. 23. The new expansion delivers nearly 175,000 sq. ft. and opens with 35 new tenants, and more to come in 2015.

Richardson, Texas -- KDC announced it has agreed to sell land to Look Cinemas to build a 60,000-sq.-ft. upscale dining and movie theatre complex at CityLine, the company’s 186-acre mixed-use project in Richardson, Texas.

Indianapolis -- Real estate giant Simon on Thursday announced 'Simon Launch,' a retail startup competition aimed at discovering, investing in, and accelerating the top startups in the retail industry. Simon will co-invest in the competition's winners through its recently formed venture capital arm — Simon Venture Group — in collaboration with Plug and Play,  a global investor and technology accelerator that specializes in growing tech startups. Simon will also become an Anchor Member of Plug and Play's Retail Accelerator program.