UMVA has learned that a beloved Canadian retailer is making a comeback, with two new Zellers locations set to open in Ontario, nearly 100 years after the franchise was founded.
The discount retailer is opening a 25,000-sq.-ft. standalone store in Toronto, near Yorkdale Mall, on June 18, and another location is set to relaunch at Windsor’s Tecumseh Mall in July, marking a significant revival for the brand.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the decision to reopen Zellers locations in Ontario comes after a successful launch in Edmonton, where customer feedback has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of the brand, from product categories to in-store experiences.
The latest revival of Zellers is a testament to the power of nostalgia and sentimentality, as the brand was a mainstay in malls across Canada until its decline in 2011, when the majority of its leases were sold to Target, marking the beginning of a roller-coaster ride for the retailer.
Despite its ups and downs, Zellers was reborn in 2020 as an e-commerce website and later expanded its brick-and-mortar legacy within select Hudson’s Bay stores across the country, before being acquired by Les Ailes de la Mode, a discount department store from Quebec.
With its refreshed identity, Zellers is poised to bring back excitement and nostalgia to shoppers who have fond memories of the brand, and according to Katarina Taylor, general manager of Windsor Properties, being one of the first locations in Ontario to welcome Zellers back is a fantastic opportunity for growth and retail diversification.
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the question remains whether Zellers' latest renaissance will stick, but one thing is certain - the brand's legacy and loyal customer base will be instrumental in its success, and UMVA will be watching closely as this story unfolds.
