The return of Zellers has been highly anticipated for Canadians, and finally, the first locations to open, including some near Toronto, have been announced!
Blog TO reports that one of the first Zellers is set to open near Toronto this month, inside Hudson’s Bay in Erin Mills Town Centre!
This is the start of the plans to open 25 brick-and-mortar stores across Canada. Some other Ontario locations Zellers will be opening include: Burlington Mall, White Oaks Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Pen Centre, Shopping Plaza, Cambridge Centre, Rideau Center, St. Laurent Canter, and Cataraqui Town Centre. The official date for the above openings has yet to be officially announced.
It seems that Zellers’ inventory will carry the categories it did in the past, including housewares, furniture, toys, clothing, pet supplies, and more. Although, the majority of its products will be under its new private label, Anko.
If you’re not located near an opening Zellers, don’t fret. Canadians will also be able to shop online at zellers.ca.
After Zellers announced its return, the public wondered if the iconic Zellers restaurants would also be returning. And the answer is… kind of. Select locations will have Zellers Diner food trucks, where you can order classic menu items brought back from the past. However, there will be no actual sit-down restaurants as the new Zellers are located in Hudson Bay locations, not its own stand-alone locations like before.
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The Canadian department store that closed its doors back in 2013, AKA Zellers, is making a grand entrance back into the market and returning this year!
Last summer’s announcements of Zellers returning took Canada by storm – and the time of its anticipated opening is coming sooner than later!
Zellers teased its 2023 return on its Instagram, in one of its posts stating in the caption “We’re busy setting the table over here, getting ready to deliver a helpful, playful shopping experience that’ll knock your socks off. Pow pow. #zellers” and another one stating “See you in 2023! #zellers”.
If you take a peak at its website you’ll see, basically taking over the entire screen “BRB WE’RE STOCKING UP…”
There you have it. It’s official. Zellers is arriving soon!
We can expect the return with a mix of online and at select Hudson’s Bay stores offering a variety of products including kitchenware, toys, workout gear, candles, and more, as indicated from the hints provided on socials.
The nostalgic feelings are strong with this one! We can’t wait to welcome Zellers back into the Canadian market.
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Canadian shoppers get excited for some real nostalgia (again). Zellers is set to enter Canada next year.
Hudson’s Bay is playing a major role in reviving the brand once again, which is due to the fact that HBC still owns the rights to the name of the Zellers chain.
According to HBC, Zellers will be back sometime next year stating, “Arriving early 2023, the distinctly Canadian retailer Zellers will debut a new e-commerce site and leverage the nationwide network of prime brick-and-mortar Hudson’s Bay locations as it expands its footprint in major cities across the country.”
So not only will you be able to shop the beloved discount store in person, but it’ll also be available online for the first time ever!
For those who may not remember, Zellers launched a pop-up store last year in the Burlington Center Hudson’s Bay. The classic Zellers logo hung high and the area was decked out in the red and white colour combo.
HBC says that some of the categories that you can expect are home decor, furniture, small appliances, and toys, with apparel coming shortly after, all at great prices.
Although there isn’t any word on whether the iconic Zellers restaurant will return (which we’re really hoping it does), we’re still super excited to see the revival of this chain again in Canada. It’s really giving us all the feels!
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Now, this is a major throwback! After officially closing its last location in Canada over a year ago, Zellers is making a comeback. The Hudson’s Bay at the Burlington Centre has launched a Zeller’s pop-up store inside.
In case you didn’t know, HBC actually still owns the right to the name of the Zellers chain, which is why you’re able to shop it there.
If you choose to browse the racks of the red and white retailer located on the second floor of The Bay, you’ll find a ton of Canada-themed apparel and home products.
Back in 1990, Zellers was operating over 350 stores across the country and was a staple to many Canadians. So in 2011 when store closures were first announced, many people were quite saddened by the news.
The last two remaining Zellers in Etobicoke and Ottawa finally closed in early 2020.
Stay tuned for more info as we may be seeing even more Zellers pop-ups across Hudson’s Bay stores in the near future.
Fingers crossed!
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It’s been a sad year for retail in our home and native land, as we’ve kissed once retail staples – some which were pretty much Canadian institutions – goodbye.
If last year’s loss of Jean Machine in shopping malls across the country wasn’t a tough enough pill to swallow (even just for the nostalgia factor), other beloved stores have met a similar fate.
Here are some of the retailers who closed up shop in Canada in 2019 (RIP).
Payless ShoeSource
After a long run as a staple go-to discount footwear retailer, in February 2019, Payless ShoeSource filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for the second time in two years. It didn’t take long before the brand began closing up shop one North American location at a time, including 248 stores across Canada. It’s natural to question whether the emergence of other affordable – yet elevated – spots to score shoes like, Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off Fifth, played a role.
Zellers
In August, longtime go-to value-priced retailer Zellers announced the closing of its last two Canadian stores left standing – a move that came as no real surprise to everyone who had long ago switched to Walmart and others. The brand faced unprecedented competition among value-priced retailers and had sort of lost its shine in Canada. If you have a soft spot for Zellers, you can still hit the Etobicoke location until January 2020.
Forever 21
This past September, fast fashion retailer Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, announcing plans to close 350 stores worldwide, including all Canadian locations. The news came after the brand’s sales fell from $4.4 million in 2016 to $3.3 billion in 2018. Forever 21 has lagged behind its competitors in the sustainability department, is no longer the “fastest” in the fast fashion game, and has experienced no shortage of legal woos.
Green Earth
Another homegrown retailer to bite the dust in 2019 was London, Ontario-based retailer Green Earth, who announced that it would close down all 29 locations across Ontario after nearly 30 years in business. It’s closure is telling of the times: the store sold unique collectables, jewelry, and knit-knacks and took a major blow with the growing prominence of online shopping, when customers no longer needed to hit the mall for such finds.
Home Outfitters
HBC-owned home giant Home Outfitters was another victim to the retail apocalypse in 2019. In February, the parent company announced it would close the doors at all 37 Home Outfitters locations across Canada. Though popular, the 20-year-old company was relatively short-lived in the retail world compared its shuttered-in-2019 counterparts.
Gymboree
Once go-to children’s wear brand Gymboree closed all of its Canadian locations after a solid 40 years in business. Gymboree kicked off 2019 by successfully filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after doing so for the first time in 2017 and managing to stay in the game for a little while longer. According to industry experts, fact that Gymboree Group’s own collection of brands were competing against each other contributed to the downfall of the brand. Most recently, however, Gymboree announced plans for a 2020 comeback.
Town Shoes
We started 2019 knowing that Town Shoes – a footwear brand exclusive to Canada – would soon be a thing of the past. By the end of January, U.S.-based shoe company DSW had closed all 38 of its stores across Canada. According to a spokesperson for the brand, the decision was made after a 90-day review that analyzed Town Shoes’ historical performance, competitive positioning, and future requirements.
David’s Shoes
While David’s Shoes was solely a Toronto and Ottawa institute for the cities’ fashionable footwear lovers, it’s relevant because it became iconic in Toronto in its 60-year run. Sadly for the brand (but not a bad thing for babes on a budget, who flocked to the store to scoop up the deals), it was placed on receivership in the summer and liquidated its five stores before closing up shop for good. Rising rents and increased competition in the designer footwear space are thought to have contributed to its demise.
Bentley
Most recently, in December 2019, Montreal-based Bentley Leathers announced a plan to liquidate and close 90 underperforming stores in Canada as part of a restructuring agreement. The retailer will, however, continue to operate its more elevated concept stores. The fate of those remains TBD; after all, who really wants to lug a suitcase home from the mall when you can have it delivered to your front door?
Motherhood Maternity
Earlier this fall, mom-to-be and new mom spot Motherhood Maternity announced the closing of all stores across North America, including 29 Motherhood Maternity and Destination Maternity stores in Canada. The announcement came after Destination Maternity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. and after the company’s name, website, and operating assets were acquired by Marquee Brands LLC.
So, what went wrong?
To be honest, many of the shuttered spaces are the result of good, old-fashioned shifts in consumer behaviour and growing competition. More than ever with the arrival of massive American retailers in Canada in the past decade and the availability of brands from around the world in just a few clicks. Canadian-based retailers face intense pressure to keep up to their American counterparts and their American counterparts face intense competition with one another.
Regardless of the retailer, brands need to do more to keep customers going into physical stores if they want to keep them.
Whether than means more interactive features, incorporating more tech, hosting in-store events, and influencer collaborations. In the meantime, it’s safe to say that more retailers are on their way out as we head into the fresh decade (Lowes and J Crew, we’re looking at you).
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Throughout the years, the Canadian retail landscape has seen its fair share of ups and downs.
From the launches of major American beauty chains to the closures of popular brands, 2019 saw many impactful events that reshaped how Canadians shop.
Take a peek at some of the most important stories from Canadian retail 2019 below.
What’s The Deal With Toronto’s Last Zellers Store? We Take A Peek Inside
In 2019, there were two Zellers stores still open in Canada: one in Ottawa and another in Etobicoke. With the Ottawa location gearing up to shutter and the GTA location slated to close in January 2020, StyleDemocracy went inside the store to give readers one final look around. Continue reading.
Dollarama Is Listening To Shoppers Who Think Prices Are Too High
Dollarama has seen prices for items rise up to $3 or $4, something not all customers have been happy about. In 2016, the Montreal-based chain made a move towards better quality products. Using toothpicks as an example, Dollarama’s Chief Executive Officer Larry Rossy said, “it’s not so much that we can offer 500 toothpicks, but it’s more if we offer 200 very good toothpicks that the customer will be happy with, I think that’s what counts at the end. It’s a culture that we’re trying to instill in everyone. Again, it’s not quantity but quality that counts.” But now the company is singing a different tune. Continue reading.
The End Is Coming For An Iconic Toronto Footwear Store
Long-standing Toronto retailer, Davids Footwear, was placed in receivership after 60 years of business in the summer of 2019. For those unaware, receivership is when a “receiver” is appointed by a creditor to take over all of the assets, undertakings, and properties from the debtor. In the retail world, a receiver will host liquidation sales so that creditors can recoup their money. Continue reading.
A Big American Beauty Brand Is Making Plans To Open In Canada
Ulta Beauty is expected to open its first Canadian stores in late 2020 or early 2021. This is huge news for beauty lovers across the country. The Illinois-based beauty brand is similar to Sephora, but has larger stores and a wider range of prices, services, and products. Ulta carries everything from price-friendly favourites like Maybelline and Revolution Beauty, to higher end exclusives like Tarte Shape Tape and Kylie Cosmetics. Continue reading.
James Charles Will Be At Square One Shopping Centre For The Opening Of Morphe’s First Canadian Store
At the beginning of 2019, Morphe opened its first Canadian location in Mississauga at Square One Shopping Centre. To kick off the launch, the L.A.-based beauty brand pulled out the big guns, inviting YouTube beauty guru for the official ribbon cutting event. Of course, chaos ensued. Take a peek at the response the opening saw or inside the store.
A New Korean-Inspired Dollar Store Has Landed In Toronto
Who doesn’t love dollar stores? In this economy, finding anything that’s a bargain is pretty amazing so when we see something available for cheap, it’s basically love at first sight. Now, there’s a new Korean dollar store in town and we’re ready to get shopping. Korean-inspired dollar store, Mumuso has just opened its first location in Toronto at North York Centre. Continue reading.
Toronto’s First Chick-Fil-A Location Is Revealed
Over the past handful of years, we’ve seen more and more American companies infiltrate the Canadian market. We’ve seen in it retail, and we’ve seen it with many fast-food and restaurant chains as well. Notable eateries like The Cheesecake Factory, Cauldron Ice Cream, and Chin Chin have crossed the border. In the upcoming years, Toronto will also see a Nobu open their doors. But one of the most talked about openings has easily been fast-food chain Chick-Fil-A. Continue reading.
Gymboree Is Closing All Of Its Stores Across Canada
Gymboree has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in two years. In January 2019, it was announced that the children’s wear retailer was successful in its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company plans to close all of its Gymboree locations in Canada and the United States, as well as its Crazy 8 brand in the United States. Continue reading.
Dollarama Has Officially Opened Online Store In Canada
If you’re anything like us and don’t like wasting your time and money while shopping, you’ll be happy to know that Canada’s largest dollar store chain, Dollarama, launched its online store in January 2019. That means that starting today you can stock up on hundreds of Dollarama products from the comfort of your home and get them delivered right to your doorstep. Continue reading.
Take A Peek Inside Eataly’s First Canadian Location In Toronto
If your budget won’t allow you to travel all the way to Italy, then a visit to Canada’s first Eataly location at Bay and Bloor, in the newly renovated Manulife Centre, is most definitely the next best thing. Eataly Toronto opened in November 2019 and ever since, the 50,000 square foot space has been chock full with foodies alike who are filled to the brim with excitement. Continue reading.
Forever 21 Is Closing All Of Its Canadian Stores
This was another big story for Canadian retail 2019. At the end of September 2019, Forever 21 announced that it will be closing all of its Canadian locations. 44 Forever 21 stores closed across the country, including locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, and more. According to Retail-Insider, Forever 21 closed close to 880,000-square-feet of retail space in Canada. Continue reading.
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StyleDemocracy challenged me with the task of investigating a Zellers store that I drive past nearly every day, just West of Toronto. Yes, you read that correctly…a ZELLERS STORE! This appears to be one of the last Zellers stores in Canada, in fact.
It’s soon set to be the last Zellers store in all of Canada, with one shopper in Ottawa noting that the city’s last Zellers is gearing up to close its doors soon.
You may have spotted the dated, red Zellers logo from the highway if you’re a frequent QEW commuter.
I noticed it every now and again, but have never given it a second thought (it wasn’t a Target after all). When I ventured over to the abandoned looking Kipling Queensway Mall, I was surprised to find what I (and many others online,) would describe as a Hudson’s Bay Outlet, disguised as a Zellers store.
Note: all items are labeled with Hudson’s Bay price tags.
Located at 1255 The Queensway in Etobicoke sits a large Zellers store carrying discounted items by mid to high-end designer brands typically sold at Hudson’s Bay.
I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the clearance selection of handbags by Nine West, Ralph Lauren, Dooney & Bourke, and Kensie all right at the entrance.
Note: all items were still in great condition without any rips or tears.
In addition to a hearty accessories department at this Zellers store, I found footwear, home décor, family apparel, and a big furniture department.
Note: if you’re looking for a discounted mattress or couch, try here!
Despite this Zellers store appearing fully stocked, I have to pre-warn you about the inventory selection (it’s nothing to get excited about).
After finding a rack of long, summer BCBG dresses for only $8, I was disappointed to see that all twenty dresses on the rack were either a size XS or XXL. The same large quantities of identical apparel filled other racks and the size selections were either one extreme or the other.
Then there’s pricing… After a quick lap around this Zellers store, I was confident that I was shopping in a full-fledged clearance or liquidation store.
Until I picked up a pair of Nike runners in the shoe department and asked a sales associate to clarify the sale price for me. That’s when I learned that the shoes I was holding were not in fact on sale, but regular price because they were new spring merchandise. “Huh?” The price tag clearly looked as though a sale sticker had been ripped from over top of it.
Tip: Know your pricing and don’t get fooled by “XX% off” stickers! Not everything at this Zellers is a deal.
If you haven’t had a chance to stop by, the location is set to close its doors in January 2020, so be sure to stop by before it’s too late.
All image by Cristina Avila
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