Zellers may have been down, but it is certainly not out. The Canadian retailer is planning a nationwide expansion following the successful opening of its first standalone department store in Edmonton.
In October, the Zellers brand launched at the Londonderry Mall in Edmonton. This standalone store was the first as part of the ‘Zellers 3.0’ concept. According to a press release, the launch was “met with enthusiastic customer response,” thus pushing the retailer to pursue an expansion.
Zellers is now looking at new leasing opportunities across Canada as part of a “phased national expansion strategy.” The company is said to be focusing on securing locations across “every major Canadian market.”
“Our goal is to bring Zellers back to communities across the country, and we’re already in active conversations with landlords nationwide as we explore opportunities in all major Canadian markets,” Joey Benitah, Chief Operating Officer of Zellers, said in the press release. “At the same time, we’re actively listening to our customers and paying close attention to what they’re telling us they want to see more of. That feedback is directly informing how we evolve our offerings, refine the store experience, and introduce new categories and brands over time.”
Zellers 3.0 is a smaller-scaled approach to the company’s department store concept. This model allows the company to form an “approachable format, curated product mix, and accessible price points.” This, of course, includes the grand return of iconic Zellers mascot Zeddy.
There’s no official word on when the next Zellers store will open. However, the company does state that “announcements related to new store locations, expanded assortments, and future phases of the Zellers 3.0 concept will be shared in the coming months.”
Zellers attempted a relaunch of its retail stores a few years back, thanks to the previous owners, Hudson’s Bay Company. Pop-up locations were integrated across Hudson’s Bay locations throughout Ontario, Alberta, BC, Quebec and other provinces.
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as much as i want zellers to blow up, it feels like walmart just takes every competitor out. its not even fair, why is everything monopolized in canada?!