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Zellers is Opening More Locations in Canada Starting this June

Zellers is Opening More Locations in Canada Starting this June

By Ambia Staley

If you're still waiting for your chance to check out a new Zellers revival location, you may see one opening up near your home in the future, because Hudson's Bay announced on May 23 that it plans to increase the store's footprint in cities across Canada.

Zellers first returned to Canada online and within select Hudson's Bay stores in late March 2023, with customers waiting in huge lineups just to get a chance to shop new products from the revived brand.

Just 2 months later, Hudson's Bay is looking for its next possible locations. Locations will initially be through a series of pop-ups within Hudson's Bay stores with the intention to open larger footprint stores within some or all of the selected locations. The first Zellers pop-up will launch at the Hudson's Bay Queen Street location in downtown Toronto this June with an additional 20 pop-ups expected to open in August.

Hudson's Bay has not released any info on where we can expect the additional locations (with the exception of the downtown Toronto pop-up). We'll update when the locations become available.

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  • HippyChic
    • I live in Chilliwack BC and we hardly have any good places to shop, would love for Zellers to come back to our town!!
    • Report Post
  • U4IA
    • Why? Because the locations HBC is choosing are ghastly. Why on earth would you put a mini-Zellers that doesn't even have a full assortment, up against a 150,000 Walmart Supercentre in the same mall? Look at where HBC is opening Zellers pop-ups--Kingsway, Scarborough TC, Guildford TC, St. Vital, Erin Mills TC among others--almost all of them are going head to head with very large, very successful Walmarts IN THE SAME MALL.
      So you think that's a good or bad thing? Honestly, I think the old Zellers might have had a chance. Having your entire store based almost entirely on one brand is a risky venture. They're no ikea for sure. The Anko products might be good quality, but pricing and overall packaging/display is pretty meh in my opinion.

      Oh, and that Kingsway walmart is terrible. Oddball selection, weird layout, lack of stock, no price scanners, no real checkouts and just has an odd feel to it.
    • Report Post
  • sheyenne
    • Zellers doesn't have to do great, it just has to do better than whatever The Bay was filling the space with before to be a success.
      It sounds like Zellers is merely an experiment to gauge the preferences of Canadian shoppers

      Does anyone want to play the Zellers lottery to see how long it lasts?
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • Thats just bonkers. I dont know how other stores are doing, but the kingsway one is just about the most boring store you could imagine. I only see a handfull of people at lunch shopping there.
      Why? Because the locations HBC is choosing are ghastly. Why on earth would you put a mini-Zellers that doesn't even have a full assortment, up against a 150,000 Walmart Supercentre in the same mall? Look at where HBC is opening Zellers pop-ups--Kingsway, Scarborough TC, Guildford TC, St. Vital, Erin Mills TC among others--almost all of them are going head to head with very large, very successful Walmarts IN THE SAME MALL.
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • I want full service Zellers stores, with the Zellers restaurant back.

      The whole Target buzz (and subsequent failure) shows there's a market for a a better shopping experience than Walmart. Target failed not because there isn't a market for superstores, but because they sucked ass. Lol

      Zellers should swoop in and try to become that higher end Walmart since they are starting from scratch.
      You're hardly alone. A lot of people are looking for a value shopping experience in an environment that, unlike Walmart, doesn't feel low-rent. Even RCSS doesn't come across as bottom of the barrel the way Walmart does.

      Target failed because of a horrible launch with IT problems and an inventory control system so out of whack that the stores were running on empty while at the same time Target was having to lease extra space because its DSCs were bursting. The market for them was there, however. I firmly believe that if they had committed as long as Nordstrom in Canada, they would have been making money. Sticking it out only 18-24 months in a brand-new market while having lost the first year to a bad launch was ridiculous. (Yes, Nordstrom also failed despite patience and investment, but there are far fewer Canadian consumers at the top end of the market than the entry-level, and Canadian retailers at the upper end of the market are better at what they do than Nordstrom was probably expecting.)
    • Report Post
  • lecale
    • Walmart's made some improvements to save itself from itself. They hired Loblaws to develop the "Our Finest" line (though you'd never guess Loblaws was involved, the flavour combos are quite ordinary, yuzu my ass). Their Mainstay sheets are deep-pocket & gathered on all sides. It used to be their sheets only fit the thinnest, most basic of mattresses. They are raising their bar a bit.

      I think Walmart really developed an odour during the "Extreme Couponing" era when it seems there were gc rewards for Best Drama Queen Performance at Customer Service every hour. Our Walmart had a cop car with its cherries flashing outside at all hours. They didn't invest in security, they tried to pass things onto the cops, and every WM visit was a new amazing tale. Animals!

      Our WM has rehabilitated itself since. It's better to shop at but there is a certain cut-off point in quality that Target surpassed.

      Target was a more couth experience with higher prices. I would see something I liked, end up visiting it regularly, noting there was no other stock & it was absolutely not moving at the price it was at. I windowshopped until liquidation. I don't know how Zellers could duplicate this experience for me without failing too.
    • Report Post
  • wilson_wu
    • I want full service Zellers stores, with the Zellers restaurant back.

      The whole Target buzz (and subsequent failure) shows there's a market for a a better shopping experience than Walmart. Target failed not because there isn't a market for superstores, but because they sucked ass. Lol

      Zellers should swoop in and try to become that higher end Walmart since they are starting from scratch.
    • Report Post
  • CorSter
    • Thats just bonkers. I dont know how other stores are doing, but the kingsway one is just about the most boring store you could imagine. I only see a handfull of people at lunch shopping there.
      Zellers doesn't have to do great, it just has to do better than whatever The Bay was filling the space with before to be a success.
    • Report Post
  • U4IA
    • I guess the Zellers experiment, so far, has been successful!
      Thats just bonkers. I dont know how other stores are doing, but the kingsway one is just about the most boring store you could imagine. I only see a handfull of people at lunch shopping there.
    • Report Post
  • jacnel
  • cslusarc
    • ZELLERS TO EXPAND STORE FOOTPRINT ACROSS CANADA (Press release: 23 May, 2023, 06:00 ET)

      TORONTO, May 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Hudson's Bay today announces the expansion of its iconic Zellers brand across Canada, increasing the store's footprint in cities across the country. The expansion is also marked by further investment in the operating business at large via significant liquidity to enhance the company's offerings.

      With the launch of its first e-commerce site and select stores within Hudson's Bay earlier this year, Zellers is now setting its sights on its next locations. Initially through a series of pop-up boutiques within Hudson's Bay stores, Zellers intends to open larger footprint stores in some or all of those same locations. The first pop-up will launch at Hudson's Bay's flagship Queen Street store in June, with up to an additional 20 pop-ups expected to open in August. These pop-ups will effectively measure customer response in each market to determine the best fits for the Zellers store experience.
    • Report Post
  • playnicee1
    • But that Las Vegas style resort project was announced for that area, so maybe the mall is keeping tenants until the resort is ready to launch.
      Woodbine Centre has nothing to do with the race track area. The mall owner is behind on taxes though, so who knows what will happen next? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... %20tenants.
    • Report Post
  • Ciel
    • Woodbine centre mall still somehow has a Bay store. It must be profitable, or it wouldn't be there. The mall is a joke now, but yet the store survives.
      Well, it doesn't have to compete with a Sears store at the other end of the mall anymore, so that helps, but I honestly do not get why
      that Bay store has not become a clearance centre...if you've seen what a joke of a mall the Woodbine centre in Toronto has become lately.
      It also surprises me that a Zellers didn't go back into Woodbine Centre to help keep that joke of a mall alive and in better condition.
      But that Las Vegas style resort project was announced for that area, so maybe the mall is keeping tenants until the resort is ready to launch.
    • Report Post
  • playnicee1
    • I expect Hudson's Bay will close 2 to 3 stores annually for the next decade as many Bay stores are unprofitable.
      Woodbine centre mall still somehow has a Bay store. It must be profitable, or it wouldn't be there. The mall is a joke now, but yet the store survives.
      Well, it doesn't have to compete with a Sears store at the other end of the mall anymore, so that helps, but I honestly do not get why
      that Bay store has not become a clearance centre...if you've seen what a joke of a mall the Woodbine centre in Toronto has become lately.
      It also surprises me that a Zellers didn't go back into Woodbine Centre to help keep that joke of a mall alive and in better condition.
    • Report Post
  • cslusarc
    • I doubt The Bay will close down.
      I expect Hudson's Bay will close 2 to 3 stores annually for the next decade as many Bay stores are unprofitable.
    • Report Post
  • BaileySyd
    • I shopped at Zellers as an adult and am far from retirement age (sadly!), let alone post-retirement.
      I doubt The Bay will close down. The Canadian government won't allow that to happen.
      The Bay has been US owned since 2006. What could the Canadian gov't do?
    • Report Post
  • Ciel
    • Visited the Burlington Centre Zellers area yesterday. It has 2/3 of one side of the main floor of the Bay store. No laundry clothespins were found, but I did spot a Mr. Potato Head in Mandalorian helmet (the Yamandalorian) box (there were two) for about $24 in Toys. Was surprised there was some basic womenswear and bought a women's built shoulder tank top for $7 (cotton/spandex) in a dark beige colour (XL as there were no L on the rack).

      Did notice that the Bay has a lot of brand name and store brand baby gear on sale at endcaps facing the north wall of the store. Olli & Lime change pad covers (black and white or gray), a few crib sheets, lots of the Littles by Gluckstein sheets and change pad covers (white/grey). Some packaging has been damaged. Also some brand name feeding spoons or soothers/teethers and random gear items.

      Upstairs, the HBC Stripes, menswear, luggage, kitchenwares and furniture dept (really quiet-maybe two other shoppers were there when I visited) are found. Frayed carpet near elevator got fixed but I noticed that the carpet upstairs needs cleaning. At least both escalators are working now! Last summer, the down escalator was out of service.
    • Report Post
  • funcanuck
    • I doubt The Bay will close down. The Canadian government won't allow that to happen.
      Why do you think the government wouldn't allow it to happen?? Retailers close down all the time.
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • And you know this because....?
      I studied retail marketing in university, I have investments in several retailers and follow the industry closely. This is one area where my knowledge is definitely superior to your "gut feeling."
    • Report Post
  • sheyenne
    • You don't know enough about the retail industry to state "those people are very few." This is clear from your reference to tourists--discount retailers in this country don't cater or depend on tourist business. Luxury retailers, yes. But nobody visiting Canada is making a beeline for a Walmart, Zellers or the like and these companies are not targeting foreign visitors for sales.
      And you know this because....?
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • Those people are very few. Target is American and has a positive reputation unlike Zellers. New immigrants and tourists don't care about Zellers. I have my Kirkland popcorn ready to see how this movie ends.
      You don't know enough about the retail industry to state "those people are very few." This is clear from your reference to tourists--discount retailers in this country don't cater or depend on tourist business. Luxury retailers, yes. But nobody visiting Canada is making a beeline for a Walmart, Zellers or the like and these companies are not targeting foreign visitors for sales.
    • Report Post
  • sheyenne
    • There are still people out there who are looking for an alternative to Walmart. This is part of the reason why Canadians were so enthusiastic (initially) about Target. Target stores feel like a higher quality of discount store. They don't feel like Walmart does, low-rent and bottom of the barrel.
      Those people are very few. Target is American and has a positive reputation unlike Zellers. New immigrants and tourists don't care about Zellers. I have my Kirkland popcorn ready to see how this movie ends.
    • Report Post
  • sheyenne
    • I will give it 18 months before the close everything, including The Bay.
      I bet Dollarama could do a better job.
      I doubt The Bay will close down. The Canadian government won't allow that to happen.
    • Report Post
  • tradinghumble
    • I will give it 18 months before the close everything, including The Bay.
      I bet Dollarama could do a better job.
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • I’m still not sure who Zellers is supposed to be targeting.

      The 80s and 90s kids who grew up during that era don’t want to go back more than once. Let’s be honest. Kids who shopped for clothes or supplies at Zellers did so because their family was relatively poor. It’s not an experience people want to relive.

      The adults who visited Zellers are now post-retirement and decreasing.

      Most importantly, our demographics have changed so quickly. Our high levels of immigration from Asia means many Canadians don’t know Zellers at all.

      Even if they hit Walmart prices and selection, they don’t sell center of plate items to drive traffic.
      There are still people out there who are looking for an alternative to Walmart. This is part of the reason why Canadians were so enthusiastic (initially) about Target. Target stores feel like a higher quality of discount store. They don't feel like Walmart does, low-rent and bottom of the barrel.

      Yes, the original Zellers had its share of poor locations. But it also had a bunch of nicer stores in major shopping malls (like Chinook Centre, Erin Mills, Kingsway) that attracted a different kind of discount shopper than the ones in Walmart. The attempt to piggyback on existing Bay locations seems to be an attempt to leverage that advantage Zellers once had with a superior kind of customer.
    • Report Post
  • Spinner
    • Zellers was open for more than decade after that time. They didn't close until 2012. Those kids are teenagers or early twenty's and the adults anywhere from 29 plus.
      Shopping preferences for many people don't change much. But people are particularly malleable during major life events such as marriage and kids.

      Walmart arrived in the mid-1990s and expanded significantly in the 2000s. Many 90s kids got married in the 2000s. Zellers holds this sliver of goodwill with 80s kids but not much else.

      Immigrants to Canada increased from 200,000 per year in the 90s to over 400,000 today. Very few of those Canadians saw Zellers in a good light.
    • Report Post
  • tew
    • I’m still not sure who Zellers is supposed to be targeting.

      The 80s and 90s kids who grew up during that era don’t want to go back more than once. Let’s be honest. Kids who shopped for clothes or supplies at Zellers did so because their family was relatively poor. It’s not an experience people want to relive.

      The adults who visited Zellers are now post-retirement and decreasing.

      Most importantly, our demographics have changed so quickly. Our high levels of immigration from Asia means many Canadians don’t know Zellers at all.

      Even if they hit Walmart prices and selection, they don’t sell center of plate items to drive traffic.
      Zellers was open for more than decade after that time. They didn't close until 2012. Those kids are teenagers or early twenty's and the adults anywhere from 29 plus.
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • They are doing this to get more people in The Bay stores. Simple as that. This is like a pop up Zellers at best.
      That's why they're doing this at Bay stores where foot traffic has been falling and (I'm assuming) same store sales declining. You'll note that high-performing locations like Edmonton Southgate haven't been part of the rollout.

      If I were Bay management and I'd taken on this experiment, I'd do it properly. Ditch the pop-up idea and commit. Convert the entire top floor of the Bay stores in the pilot to Zellers. Put in full departments with a complete assortment, like candy/grocery, electronics, housewares/plastic storage, toys, hardware, pharmacy, all the areas which aren't part of the typical Bay these days and which people remember being able to shop at Zellers.

      I'd also put in the things people seem to really want, like the Zellers Restaurant and the kids' rides.

      If the experiment works and the Bay floor downstairs continues to decline, you can convert the entire store to Zellers. If not, you really haven't lost anything because the Bay store was on a downward trajectory anyway and you'll probably end up closing it when the lease comes up.

      The problem with just dipping your toe in the water as HBC seems to be doing at the moment, is that it satisfies nobody. The people who loved and miss Zellers visit the pop-up and say "This isn't anything close to the Zellers I remember" and the people who are new to the brand say "What's the point of this?"
    • Report Post
  • carmaster
    • I agree....the Zellers seems pointless. One reason to go to Walmart is one stop shopping. Can pick up stuff from hardware, gardening, toys, clothes, pharmacy, automotive, cleaning supplies, maybe some snacks/groceries all in one go, and paying better than normal prices, with very convenient hours. You may come out with a big cart of stuff, and the stores have easy access with their own front door. Zellers has a mishmash of household items, a few toys and some clothes. Not sure why I would go there. Lots of their house brand items which are unproven and seem like generic quality items.

      Not sure why somebody thought this was a good idea.
      They are doing this to get more people in The Bay stores. Simple as that. This is like a pop up Zellers at best.
    • Report Post
  • U4IA
    • I’m still not sure who Zellers is supposed to be targeting.

      The 80s and 90s kids who grew up during that era don’t want to go back more than once. Let’s be honest. Kids who shopped for clothes or supplies at Zellers did so because their family was relatively poor. It’s not an experience people want to relive.

      The adults who visited Zellers are now post-retirement and decreasing.

      Most importantly, our demographics have changed so quickly. Our high levels of immigration from Asia means many Canadians don’t know Zellers at all.

      Even if they hit Walmart prices and selection, they don’t sell center of plate items to drive traffic.
      I'd agree somewhat, but as a parent Zellers cherokee kids line was very good quality. We bought tons of clothes from zellers and they would outlast any walmart junk. (and no, we're not poor)

      Alot of their product lines were actually pretty decent, and they had a good selection of toys, housewares etc. Sure the stores were a bit of a mess at times, but never really bothered me.

      Its not like the Bay was getting great foot traffic already, and Zellers certainly doesn't seem to be improving that.
      '
    • Report Post
  • warpdrive
    • I agree....the Zellers seems pointless. One reason to go to Walmart is one stop shopping. Can pick up stuff from hardware, gardening, toys, clothes, pharmacy, automotive, cleaning supplies, maybe some snacks/groceries all in one go, and paying better than normal prices, with very convenient hours. You may come out with a big cart of stuff, and the stores have easy access with their own front door. Zellers has a mishmash of household items, a few toys and some clothes. Not sure why I would go there. Lots of their house brand items which are unproven and seem like generic quality items.

      Not sure why somebody thought this was a good idea.
    • Report Post
  • Spinner
    • Finally had a chance to stop by Zellers. I give it 6 months.

      Literally nothing of real interest that would make me go back.

      Really not sure what they expected though. Back in the day Zellers was the size of Walmart with quite a bit of selection. Sure some of the stores were a bit run down, but there were bargains to be found. They actually had a nice line of young kids clothes that decent quality.

      Looking at it now, its like a weird jysk/ikea/something combo with literally nothing that really stands out.
      I’m still not sure who Zellers is supposed to be targeting.

      The 80s and 90s kids who grew up during that era don’t want to go back more than once. Let’s be honest. Kids who shopped for clothes or supplies at Zellers did so because their family was relatively poor. It’s not an experience people want to relive.

      The adults who visited Zellers are now post-retirement and decreasing.

      Most importantly, our demographics have changed so quickly. Our high levels of immigration from Asia means many Canadians don’t know Zellers at all.

      Even if they hit Walmart prices and selection, they don’t sell center of plate items to drive traffic.
    • Report Post
  • cslusarc
    • What I do like about the Zellers shops is that the merchandise seems to be merchandised denser than the rest of the store. I do like the on the shelf price tags that were common @ Home Outfitters and at the previous versions of Zellers.

      I am waiting until June/July/August when seasonal Spring & Summer merchandise gets clearance markdowns, but @ thebay.com a lot more SKUs are selling out now before they get markdowns.
    • Report Post
  • U4IA
    • Finally had a chance to stop by Zellers. I give it 6 months.

      Literally nothing of real interest that would make me go back.

      Really not sure what they expected though. Back in the day Zellers was the size of Walmart with quite a bit of selection. Sure some of the stores were a bit run down, but there were bargains to be found. They actually had a nice line of young kids clothes that decent quality.

      Looking at it now, its like a weird jysk/ikea/something combo with literally nothing that really stands out.
    • Report Post
  • cslusarc
    • 12 more Zellers locations open on Tuesday, April 4th:

      7 Oaks Shopping Centre (Abbotsford)
      Aberdeen Mall (Kamloops)
      Guildford Town Centre (Surrey)
      Vancouver Downtown

      Midtown Plaza (Saskatoon)

      St. Vital Centre (Winnipeg)

      Mayflower Shopping Mall (Sydney)
      Micmac Mall (Dartmouth)

      Carrefour de l’Estrie (Sherbrooke)
      Galeries d’Anjou (Ville d’Anjou)
      Les Galeries de la Capital (Quebec City)
      Les Promenades Gatineau (Gatineau)

      Note:
      **Place Rosemère (Rosemère) will open April 27
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • On the Second Floor – some clearance Toys were merchandised in the aisles – but the main Toy collection must have been Zellers-ized and moved to behind the black draped area.
      This must mean that Zeddy Bear is on his way back...
    • Report Post
  • cslusarc
    • I expect HBC to use the Zellers stores-within-a-store to adjust the merchandise mix at the host Bay stores. You may see some Bay stores shed certain departments entirely that weren't performing well and the square footage shifted to extra Zellers space. I would also predict that departments like toys will be "moved" over to the Zellers side of the operation.
      On the Second Floor – some clearance Toys were merchandised in the aisles – but the main Toy collection must have been Zellers-ized and moved to behind the black draped area.
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • Hello Friends,

      I visited Hudson's Bay store #1117 at St Vital Centre (In Winnipeg) this afternoon. It looks like Zellers will open there really soon on the Second Floor It appears that Zellers has already displaced Women's Intimates, Hosiery, Sleepwear and Outerwear to the ground floor. The Second Floor at this store continues to sell Toys, Childrenswear, Housewares, Bed, Bath and Major Home Fashions. I did not pay attention to where Luggage and the HBC Stripes Shop was merchandised, but historically they were on the Second Floor.

      Today was also the 1st day for Return Bear returns @ this Hudson's Bay store. Unfortunately, my returns today were made at the in-store cash register because I could not generate a Return Bear QR-code.
      I expect HBC to use the Zellers stores-within-a-store to adjust the merchandise mix at the host Bay stores. You may see some Bay stores shed certain departments entirely that weren't performing well and the square footage shifted to extra Zellers space. I would also predict that departments like toys will be "moved" over to the Zellers side of the operation.
    • Report Post
  • TravellingChris
    • It really had an Ikea feel. I wonder why Target failed so hard, it's the same company as HBC
      No, Target has no relationship to HBC. They merely bought the Zellers leases from HBC, there is no other connection between the two organizations.
    • Report Post
  • cslusarc
    • Hello Friends,

      I visited Hudson's Bay store #1117 at St Vital Centre (In Winnipeg) this afternoon. It looks like Zellers will open there really soon on the Second Floor It appears that Zellers has already displaced Women's Intimates, Hosiery, Sleepwear and Outerwear to the ground floor. The Second Floor at this store continues to sell Toys, Childrenswear, Housewares, Bed, Bath and Major Home Fashions. I did not pay attention to where Luggage and the HBC Stripes Shop was merchandised, but historically they were on the Second Floor.

      Today was also the 1st day for Return Bear returns @ this Hudson's Bay store. Unfortunately, my returns today were made at the in-store cash register because I could not generate a Return Bear QR-code.
    • Report Post