Games/ Contests/ Sweepstakes

Amazon.com’s latest gambit to encourage shoppers to buy a $99 Prime membership and goose second quarter sales involves the creation of quasi-holiday called “Prime Day.”

Seattle – July is often a slow-paced month for consumers, but Amazon.com is seeking to change that. In an effort to promote its Amazon Prime paid loyalty program, the retailer is encouraging customers to celebrate “Prime Day,” a one-day global shopping event on July 15 that is says will have more deals than Black Friday.

Books-A-Million is re-defining the meaning of summer camp and fun for kids this summer with a new character-based series of store events.

Summer Fun Camps at Books-A-Million will take place from 2-4 pm each Saturday in July, and feature activities based around popular characters like the Minions, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. The camps will take place at all Books-A-Million locations.

Marbles: The Brain Store has chosen one of the country's smartest cities for its next brick-and-mortar location.

The company plans to open a new store in the Washington, D.C., area at National Harbor, the waterfront shopping and entertainment district on the Potomac River.

The new location is the third Marbles store to open this summer. Marbles also launched in Times Square in New York City and Myrtle Beach, S.C., marking its first location in the southern region.

HSN is celebrating its 38th year as a direct-to-consumer content retailer by having a party in Margaritaville.

HSN's fast-growing Margaritaville brand will launch on HSN on July 3 with an assortment of exclusive and curated products that capture the escapism of island living. Viewers can enjoy "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere" Margaritaville programming highlighting the branded merchandise that introduces the island mindset to every home.

Carrollton, Texas – The range of social media keeps expanding, and TGI Fridays is now including burgers. The casual dining chain has launched “Buy A Burger, Give A Burger,” a new promotion that allows customers to let their friends compete for free burgers through social media.

Michaels is giving children a Passport to Imagination this summer with a new free program.

This year, the low-cost, in-store sessions will focus on summer vacation fun, including lake picnics, afternoons at the beach, county fairs, music festivals and more. Passport to Imagination begins July 6 and will run through Aug. 21 in all Canadian stores, with three classes per week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Cold Stone Creamery is partnering with the Discovery Channel to promote its “Shark Week 2015” TV programming event through July 14. As part of the promotion, Cold Stone is holding a social media contest where one winner will win a trip for four to the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas.