Events

Murad, the skin care brand founded by Howard Murad, plans to open in October the company’s first official stand-alone retail boutique.

The freestanding store, which will serve as Murad’s global flagship retail location, will be located in Los Angeles. The opening of the 1,500-sq.-ft. store front coincides with the celebration of Murad’s 25th anniversary this year.

Gordmans Stores new CEO Andy Hall is looking to execute a turnaround at the off price department store chain where weak sales trends and losses indicate he is in for a big challenge.
 

Walmart’s senior director for payment strategy Reed Luhtanen is among a group of notable speakers scheduled to gather in Washington, D.C. September 10 to explore vulnerabilities and challenges faced by merchants and payment industry professionals.

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties announced that Prasino Restaurant at the Streets of St. Charles near St. Louis is in the process of securing new ownership by a group of investors.

Prasino opened at the Streets of St. Charles on April 22, 2013, and has been listed as “The Best New Restaurants in St. Louis” and awarded “A-List Breakfast Winner” for its Paris Benedict, by St. Louis Magazine.

The National Retail Federation has hired Mary Heitman as VP of retail programs.

Heitman previously served as director of events and deputy director of development for the Trust for the National Mall, where managed corporate sponsorships and events designed to increase donor engagement, identified and cultivated prospects and leveraged relationships in the government affairs and corporate community. Prior to the Trust for the National Mall, she owned and operated a private marketing and fundraising firm and served as finance director for the Republican National Committee.

Chicago -- Mid-America Real Estate Corporation has recently been retained as an agent on behalf of Yoga Six during its multiple store roll-out in the Chicago area.

Yoga Six has signed two new leases in the Chicago area. The retailer signed on for 6,626 sq. ft. at 1150 North State in Gold Coast and 6,028 sq. ft. at Roosevelt Collection in South Loop. The yoga studio currently has one location in Lincoln Park and plans to open five stores in the Chicago area by 2015.

Harrisburg, Pa. -- The Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace, in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by adding dining, spa services and two in-demand retailers, announced The Shoppes’ owner and developer, Stanbery Development.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – HSN Inc. is running "The Fashion Edit," the company's annual fall fashion series, now through Sept. 24. The retailer is partnering with a number of celebrity designers, including Kelly Osbourne, June Ambrose and Emma Fox.