Events

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble has announced that it will celebrate Black History Month with special events and promotions recognizing the significant contributions by African-Americans to the world’s social, political and economic development. Throughout February, Barnes & Noble stores will host Storytime events, promotions and celebrity appearances in stores and online at Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com).

Washington, D.C. -- Survey results released Thursday by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, and conducted by BIGinsight, found that 173 million people will watch the Super Bowl football game on Sunday, Feb. 5, the most in the survey’s eight-year history and up from an estimated 171 million last year.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is expanding its Race Time 2012 program to give fans more accessibility to discounted race tickets, driver appearances and fan events at stores, a greater selection of authentic NASCAR merchandise and a special sponsorship of Bill Elliott at the Coke Zero 400.

Usually Walmart is the retailer promoting the midnight release of some hot Hollywood title, but early next month Target is taking a run at the new release strategy with the release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.

Fashion phenom or design darling. Whatever you call Jason Wu, he’s got a new line coming to Target Feb. 5 that could be a big deal on several levels.

SAN FRANCISCO — In an effort to help the thousands of troops returning home from serving overseas, Banana Republic has announced “Our Duty to You,” a program created to help military personnel prepare for their next professional opportunities. 

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle on Thursday unveiled its fifth Market District location in five years — and its first in Pittsburgh’s North Hills suburbs.

New York City -- Attendees at the 2012 National Retail Federation convention (“The Big Show”) in  New York who donate $20 to The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) will take home a Build-A-Bear Teddy Bear. The annaul event will be held Jan. 15 -18, at the Jacob Javits Center.

In an initiative designed to raise funds for charities sponsored by RetailROI, Oracle is providing 2,000 Build-A-Bear Teddy Bears dressed in a custom RetailROI t-shirt at its booth on the exhibit floor (booth #1319).