Mass Merchant

Newington, N.H. -- Burlington, Mass.-based KeyPoint Partners said it has been awarded the property management and leasing contracts for The Crossings at Fox Run, a 475,000-sq.-ft. power center in Newington, N.H.

The property will be handled out of the firm’s Burlington, Mass., corporate headquarters. Heitman LLC awarded the contracts.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group said Wednesday it has appointed Thomas W. Litzler as senior VP, central region.

Based in Chicago, Litzler will serve as the asset manager for the region, directing leasing, property operations and redevelopment activity for 11.7 million sq. ft. of community and neighborhood shopping centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has partnered U.K. beauty expert Maria Hatzistefanis and is now carrying her Nip + Fab beauty brand in Target stores and online at Target.com.

Launched in 2010 and previously available only across the pond, Nip + Fab is now available in the United States through its partnership with Target.

Beauty mavens can select from 14 different Nip + Fab skin solutions and body blends, including Nip + Fab Tummy Fix, Nip + Fab Pigmentation Fix and Nip + Fab Dark Circle Fix.

Hatzistefanis also has created the Rodial beauty brand.

Beijing -- Local Chinese newspaper the People’s Daily reported Thursday that, just two days after re-opening all 13 stores in Chongqing following a forced two-week closure for mislabeling regular pork as organic, the retailer has been called out for selling expired coffee in one of its Chongqing stores.

Wal-Mart’s Beijing-based spokeswoman Christina Lee said the retailer is currently investigating the case.

Citigroup found that toy prices at both Walmart and Target fell by 4% and that the price gap between the two retailers on toys has narrowed since its first survey.

According to Ciitgroup, retail prices of a basket of “hot” toys for holiday 2011 are now 30 bps cheaper at Walmart than at Target, compared with 50 bps cheaper at Walmart in its previous survey. However, taking into account Target’s 5% rewards discount, the basket of toys became 470 bps more expensive at Walmart, compared with 450 bps more expensive in the previous survey.

The fashion and retail blogospheres went into overdrive with complaints about how Target botched the launch of its latest and exclusive limited time collection, Missoni for Target. And shoppers across the nation took to Facebook, Twitter and other sites to share their frustrations. The folks who seemed to be the most put-out were those who ordered goods online.  After experiencing long delays and going through any number of hurdles before they were even able to place an order, many are now being told that their orders would be delayed or, even worse, canceled.

Hamilton Township, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management said Thursday that its year-long, multi-million dollar renovation of 59-year-old Hamilton Plaza is nearing completion. The renovation of the 184,272-sq.-ft. center, located in Hamilton Twp., N.J., includes significant upgrades to the common areas, and the addition of two pad sites and a 10,000-sq.-ft. end cap.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said that Dollar Tree/Deal$ has leased four new retail spaces, all in New York.

The company leased 12,000 sq. ft. in Maspeth, N.Y.; 12,000 sq. ft. in Brooklyn; 10,250 sq. ft. in Sunnyside; and 9,341 sq. ft. on Broadway in New York City.