Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General and NASCAR have announced the first-ever national retail program around the Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup. As part of the partnership, Dollar General will launch the "Race to Win" sweepstakes on Aug. 28. The sweepstakes, which runs through Nov. 12, offers customers the chance to win more than 9,000 prizes including free gas for a year, a trip to Las Vegas and $250,000.

The sweepstakes will be promoted by NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. in stores, online and on national radio. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.  — Sears announced that it is inviting Facebook users to support to America's military members by fan voting for the Sears Rebuilding Together affiliate program that they believe is the most deserving. 

Voting will take place through Sept. 23, and based on total vote tallies, Sears and Rebuilding Together will award 25 overall grants totaling $250,000 to Rebuilding Together affiliates at platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels.

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced Giambattista Valli as the fourth designer in its collaboration series to create a capsule collection for the retailer’s fashion “Impulse” department later this fall. Known for extravagant designs and great party dresses, the collection will be Valli’s first foray into affordable fashion, the company reported.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reported Wednesday that profit for the second-quarter rose 64% to $32 million, up from $19.5 million, on increased demand in the United States and Europe.

Revenue rose 23% to $916.8 million, as previously reported, and same-store sales increased 9%.

South Denver’s Park Meadows regional mall is officially 15 years old -- and it is celebrating throughout the month of August with free community entertainment and activities, culminating in a free community pancake breakfast August 30, 2011.

NEW YORK — Gap’s Old Navy unit rolled out more than 1,000 sports-oriented store-within-stores Tuesday, selling branded goods of more than 70 Division I schools, as well as National Football League teams.

The Super Fan Nation in-store concepts are being launched with a seven-figure marketing campaign that will include advertising at college stadiums and arenas, in-store appearances by college bands, cheerleaders and mascots, and a 10-day national television advertising campaign.

New York City -- Barneys New York said Monday it is teaming up with pop singer Lady Gaga on a holiday campaign and Christmas window display to be called Gaga’s Workshop.

The luxury department store retailer said that, in addition to the Gaga-themed window display, it will devote an entire floor of its Madison Avenue flagship to Gaga’s Workshop. The campaign will also feature limited-edition gift items and specially themed holiday shopping bags and packaging.

NEW YORK — Barneys New York, announced that it has partnered with Lady Gaga for its 2011 holiday campaign.

According to a company press release, Barneys will convert an entire floor of its Madison Avenue flagship in New York City into a dedicated space for the holiday initiative.  Starting in mid-November, "Gaga's Workshop" will be brought to life throughout the fifth floor of the Men's Store at the Madison Avenue flagship, and will also be supported in the store's iconic Madison Avenue windows, the company reported.