Bye Bye Zellers, Hello Target (locations announced)

[oldsnail]

'TORONTO, Ont. - Target stores will be coming to Canada with the $1.83-billion purchase of Zellers from the Hudson's Bay Company.

The company's plan is to open 100 to 150 stories by 2013.'

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories...canada-110113/

U.S. retailer Target said Thursday it is buying Canadian discount retail chain Zellers from Hudson's Bay Co. for $1.8 billion.

Under terms of the deal, Zellers locations will continue to exist under that brand name for "a period of time," HBC said in a release. But Target will open 100 to 150 Canadian locations in 2013 and 2014 and assign the rest of Zellers' current network of 220 stores to other retailers.

"This transaction provides attractive long-term value and will allow us to invest substantial capital into our department store and specialty store businesses to continue to drive growth," HBC governor Richard Baker said in a release.

The sale of these leasehold interests is estimated to create over 20,000 net new jobs in Canada and has the potential to generate over $1.5 billion in Canadian economic activity through the renovation of Zellers locations, the release said.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/0...#ixzz1AvVKvGhc

[Vansterdam]

hmm wonder how target will do

[Mr.C]

So HBC is focusing on their core brands instead of trying to go head to head with Wal-Mart. Sounds like a plan!

[TheNewGirl]

I find this an odd move on HBC's part though, as Zellers appears to be doing better then the Bay and Home Sense.

[sonick]

Woo, I love Target.

[Nicotine]

i have to say i saw this one commin a long time ago for some reason.

[hotjoint]

just heard about this. I don't know how I feel about this

[jmvdesign]

How is Target any different compared to Walmart? I just don't see any other small retailers like Zellers, Shopper's Drugmart, London Drugs etc. able to compete with Walmart (except for location I guess).

A quick google of Target vs. Walmart: http://recomparison.com/comparisons/...art-vs-target/

[Jsunu]

Originally Posted by hotjoint

just heard about this. I don't know how I feel about this

I don't know what to think about this either....

on one hand I hate zellers.

on the other hand, it is just another example of our eroding Canadian market brand.

[InvisibleSoul]

Interesting... I like shopping at Target down at Bellis Fair whenever I go down there... I think I prefer it more than Zellers...

[Tapioca]

Originally Posted by jmvdesign

How is Target any different compared to Walmart? I just don't see any other small retailers like Zellers, Shopper's Drugmart, London Drugs etc. able to compete with Walmart (except for location I guess).

A quick google of Target vs. Walmart: http://recomparison.com/comparisons/...art-vs-target/

I have to admit that Wal-Mart does have better prices from time to time on certain things, but Wal-Mart stores are generally pretty miserable places to shop in and you get next to no service. On the other hand, Shoppers Drug Mart stores are actually quite pleasant, they actually provide advice on pharmaceuticals, and they have a very good rewards program. London Drugs generally has staff who actually seem like they want to work there and they have very good buyers who manage to put things on store shelves that no other stores seem to have (or at least at reasonble prices.)

I highly doubt that Target will be able to deliver US prices here, but if they can at least provide service and brighten up Zellers stores, I may shop there from time to time.

[Presto]

By the way, for people in the know, it's pronounced "Tar-jay"

[Liquid_o2]

Originally Posted by jmvdesign

How is Target any different compared to Walmart? I just don't see any other small retailers like Zellers, Shopper's Drugmart, London Drugs etc. able to compete with Walmart (except for location I guess).

A quick google of Target vs. Walmart: http://recomparison.com/comparisons/...art-vs-target/

Comes down to consumer choice.

I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart. Every time I step in there I feel miserable. Service is shit, products all over the place.

I would rather pay a few cents more and buy at London Drugs or Shoppers where I always get good service and the environment isn't as hectic.

[InvisibleSoul]

Originally Posted by Presto

By the way, for people in the know, it's pronounced "Tar-jay"

I actually decided to look that up...

Some people jokingly give Target the pseudo-French pronunciation /tɑrˈʒeɪ/ tar-zhay, as though it were an upscale boutique. This trend is incorrectly believed to have been started by Oprah Winfrey, when she used the French pronunciation to refer to the store on her television show; it has actually been traced back to 1962, the year the first Target store opened; this was reinforced by a 1980s television advertisement starring Didi Conn. This pronunciation has also led some people to incorrectly believe that the company is French-owned.[8] In recognition of the nickname's popularity and cachet, Target Corporation licensed its name and logo to Brand Central LLC in 2006, complete with accent over the letter "E", for a new line of clothing intended for more up-scale fashion customers. The line, "Targét Couture" was originally sold at Los Angeles-based store Intuition, which deals with high-end brands.

From their Wikipedia page...

[Leopold Stotch]

Originally Posted by Tapioca

I have to admit that Wal-Mart does have better prices from time to time on certain things, but Wal-Mart stores are generally pretty miserable places to shop in and you get next to no service. On the other hand, Shoppers Drug Mart stores are actually quite pleasant, they actually provide advice on pharmaceuticals, and they have a very good rewards program. London Drugs generally has staff who actually seem like they want to work there and they have very good buyers who manage to put things on store shelves that no other stores seem to have (or at least at reasonble prices.)

I highly doubt that Target will be able to deliver US prices here, but if they can at least provide service and brighten up Zellers stores, I may shop there from time to time.

i must say i've been shoppnig at superstore for as long as i remember,

Wal-Mart on grandview is much nicer than any superstore i've been to.

[FerrariEnzo]

zellers can never compete with walmart...

but its nice to see some more competition... i hope this means lower prices and not just for them to match the prices..

[TOS'd]

Yay, maybe now I don't have to drive to the states to pick up these

[Nicotine]

^ when a can just isnt enough.

[AzNightmare]

lol @ the service complaints.
Seriously... how much service do we need when shopping at one of these places?

The most service I ever needed was "Where's your _______ located"
In these stores like Walmart, Target, Superstore, Zellers, The Bay, etc., I'm not sure
what other service is expected.

Although sometimes, I find it tough to find staff around at Superstore during the odd
hours, luckily, every store looks exactly the same... so... know one, know them all.

The only thing I care about is which place has lower prices.

I'm personally okay with this, since I hardly go to Zellers anyway.
Walmart usually has a bigger selection of whatever randoms I need to buy,
and when I go down to the states, I sometimes drop by at Target on the way.

I was really happy when Walmart moved closer to the mainland.
I think I will be okay with this too.

Originally Posted by TheNewGirl

I find this an odd move on HBC's part though, as Zellers appears to be doing better then the Bay and Home Sense.

I think it's Home Outfitters that belongs to HBC.

[Presto]

Originally Posted by Liquid_o2

Comes down to consumer choice.

I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart. Every time I step in there I feel miserable. Service is shit, products all over the place.

I would rather pay a few cents more and buy at London Drugs or Shoppers where I always get good service and the environment isn't as hectic.

+1

There's like a big vortex at Walmart that sucks the joy out of anyone that enters. It's probably caused by the spirit-broken employees.

[drunkrussian]

there's no competing with walmart, yes. But in canada (or at least vancouver) because walmart locations are so limited and at random-ass places no one goes to, there's a real opportunity to steal their share, perhaps more so than in the U.S, where you have Walmart, K-mart, Target etc. everywhere.

So really, other than Walmart, who would Target be competing with? Bad move for HBC good move for target imo. For those who shopped at zellers, they'll probably be better off too, as canadians suck dick at running department stores. I expect better quality for cheaper prices.

[sonick]

HBC was sold to Americans years ago, who turned it into a very profitable company. Zellers was a weak link and they managed to sell it for more than they originally bought HBC for.

[Tapioca]

Originally Posted by AzNightmare

lol @ the service complaints.
Seriously... how much service do we need when shopping at one of these places?

At Shoppers, I'm able to ask a pharmacist questions about acne remedies. At Superstore, Wal-Mart, etc., I can't. Sure I could Google about them, but sometimes, it's nice having someone to ask. London Drugs has friendly cashiers. I don't necessarily need service, but it's nice to be able to have small chat with a stranger, especially if I'm having a crappy day myself.

I've spent many years in customer service, so I'm naturally personable. I understand the importance of customer service and I appreciate it when I'm given it in return. I'm sure anyone else who has worked in customer service understands where I'm coming from.

[AzNightmare]

Originally Posted by Tapioca

At Shoppers, I'm able to ask a pharmacist questions about acne remedies. At Superstore, Wal-Mart, etc., I can't. Sure I could Google about them, but sometimes, it's nice having someone to ask. London Drugs has friendly cashiers. I don't necessarily need service, but it's nice to be able to have small chat with a stranger, especially if I'm having a crappy day myself.

I've spent many years in customer service, so I'm naturally personable. I understand the importance of customer service and I appreciate it when I'm given it in return. I'm sure anyone else who has worked in customer service understands where I'm coming from.

Well, I'll agree that you won't get better pharmacist help than a place like Shoppers since
they're supposed to be a pharmacy specialist store.

[RevRav]

As long as these Target locations in Canada have price matching to the US stores, by all means... I have nothing against the new change.