Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

The holiday force has awakened earlier than ever at Walmart with the Aug. 28 launch of a major initiative called Toy Week.

Walmart has released its top toy list of 25 products and announced details of a layaway program that is less restrictive than prior years. The program begins Aug. 28, two weeks earlier than last years, and those participating will find the price point of eligible items has been reduced to $10 with a minimum basket size of $50, there is no account opening fee and only a 10% down payment is required.

Gisele Bundchen may have retired from the runway, but Stuart Weitzman knows the supermodel still appeals to fashionable shoppers.

So the retailer has enlisted the celebrity mom to star in the brand's first TV commercial, which will premiere during this year’s MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30.

New York -- Coming soon: a theatrical spin on the drama surrounding American Apparel and its controversial founder and ousted CEO Dov Charney.

The play, entitled “Unseamly,” is due to make its off-Broadway debut on October 8, at the Urban Stages theatre. The drama, which first ran in Montreal in 2014, was written by Oren Safdie a first cousin of Charney. (Safdie has had several plays produced off-Broadway).

Green Bay, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers announced details for the master plan of the Titletown District, a destination area to be created immediately west of Lambeau Field Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers will invest approximately $65 million in Titletown, with a cumulative initial investment by all parties to be between $120 million-130 million.

Dollar General is trying to launch a literacy revolution in in its home state of Tennessee.

The retailer presented a surprise check to students, teachers and administrators at H.B. Williams Elementary in White House, Tenn., for $50,000 to support literacy initiatives at the school.

"Reading is critical to a child's success in school and in life. We hope this gift will help infuse a renewed excitement about reading and strengthen the literacy programs available to the students," said Denine Torr, senior director of Community Initiatives at Dollar General.

Just in time for football season, Foot Locker has launched a new video campaign starring two of the best receivers for the New York Giants.

The New York-based specialty athletic retailer has unveiled "Thoughts," a new commercial starring New York Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham, Jr., highlighting the brand's back-to-school campaign.

Norfolk, Va. -- The Cordish Companies announced its comprehensive $40 million overhaul and rebranding of Norfolk, Virginia’s iconic Waterside Festival Marketplace as Waterside District.

Irving, Texas – The Michaels Companies Inc. is partnering with trend-driven online DIY marketplace Darby Smart in September to bring select Michaels products to Darby Smart. The partnership will also bring Darby Smart products and community members to Michaels.