Target Stores Come to BC

Comments 26 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Back in January big box retailer Target bought out Zellers stores in Canada for $1.8 billion. Formerly a Hudson’s Bay Company property, select Zellers stores across the country will begin a changeover to become Target stores by 2013.

Target Springfield, VA
Photo credit: j.reed on Flickr

Announced yesterday, Zellers locations making the switch to Target in BC are:
Abbotsford Power Centre, Abbotsford
Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre, Campbell River
Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack
Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam
Driftwood Mall, Courtenay
Tamarack Mall, Cranbrook
Scottsdale Mall, Delta
Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Langley
Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge
Nanaimo North Town Centre, Nanaimo
Pine Centre, Prince George
Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver
Village Green Mall, Vernon
Tillicum Mall, Victoria

To many, Target has a better image than other big box or discount stores. It has been a destination for well-priced clothing, swimwear, toys, grocery items, and more for years. Even when I moved to Boston in 2002 I took full advantage of their particle-board bedroom sets and ‘bed in a bag’ bargains to furnish my room. They have brand-name items but, as you may usually find across the border, at better price points than you can find in Canada (even with a poor exchange rate at times). Zellers on the other hand, has also always been a Canadian staple. Gardening supplies, toys, shampoo, stuff for the kids, and everything in between that you could stuff into a shopping cart.

Some of the Target brands that you can pick up in Bellis Fair may not be available in Canada though, due to different suppliers and regulations. I know that Keira won’t be able to pick up her Jif peanut butter and I won’t be able to get Dunkin Donuts coffee beans for my mom. You also won’t see boxes of wine in the grocery aisle. With all of this, are Canadians going to miss Zellers? After all, it has been American-owned since 2008.
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Update May 25, 2012 The official list of BC stores has been confirmed:

Abbotsford – Abbotsford Power Centre
Burnaby – Metropolis at Metrotown
Campbell River – Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre
Chilliwack – Cottonwood Mall
Coquitlam – Coquitlam Centre
Courtenay –Driftwood Mall
Cranbrook – Tamarack Mall
Delta – Scottsdale Mall
Kamloops – Sahili Centre Mall
Kelowna – Orchard Park Plaza
Langley – Willowbrook Shopping Centre
Maple Ridge – Haney Place Mall
Nanaimo – Nanaimo North Town Centre
Prince George – Pine Centre
Surrey – Surrey Place/Central City
Vernon – Village Green Mall
Victoria – Hillside Shopping Centre
Victoria – Tillicum Centre

Source: News1130 & Target.

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26 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Tyler IngramFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 10:21am PDT

    Zellers has definitely fallen in image over the years. The one in Maple Ridge is always dirty, messy and cluttered. I’m glad that Target is stepping in, wonder how that particular mall (Haney Place) will do with a Target instead of a Zellers. They were supposed to get a LARGE sum of money to upgrade the mall too. Perhaps with the Target, they will be able to renovate it?

  2. Alan HawkerFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 10:22am PDT

    Zellers at Scottsdale Mall has been pretty bad for ages, so anything that can improve the store and make it more presentable and enticing must be a good thing. It is probably sad to see Zeller’s going, although I haven’t much sentimentality for it as I have only been in Canada for about 18 months.

  3. Dave RoyFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 10:26am PDT

    This may show how long it’s been since I’ve been by there, but did the Zellers at Brentwood Mall in Burnaby close some time ago? Since I don’t see it on the list above, I assume it did.

  4. SharonFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 10:26am PDT

    The Zellers in my city is awful. I don’t know how it’s managed to stay open this long. I’m loyal to some Canadian companies, but Zellers has always struck me as being rather dumpy. I go into the States fairly regularly and Target is always on my “must visit” list whenever I’m there, but I’m very excited to have it nearby.

  5. CandiceFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 10:57am PDT

    I’m torn. My mom has been with company for 20 years this Spring. They have no idea if they will have jobs, if they have to re-apply. Nobody knows anything… so in the long run, how many are out of jobs? My mom is one of the most valuable employees at her store, but chances are they will get rid of the full timers, and keep the part timers. Mom is another 15yrs away from retirement, what is she supposed to do? I love Target, I love Zellers, but I can’t help but not look forward to this until I know my mom will have a job still once Target takes over.

  6. SherriFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 11:22am PDT

    Hoping that the addition of Target will help revitalize downtown Maple Ridge.

  7. SherriFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 11:22am PDT

    Hoping that the addition of Target will help revitalize downtown Maple Ridge.

  8. SkyFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 11:53am PDT

    I used to shop at Zellers for basics and bargains but in the past several years, I much prefer Walmart. Target has such a massive selection and will offer everything I used to get at Zellers and so much more. So many Vancouverites go accross the border adn shop at the target at Bellisfair. Now we can keep that $$$ in Canada. I say…bring it!

  9. fotoeinsFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 9:12pm PDT

    When I moved to Minneapolis in 2003, only then did I fully realize the importance of Target to the midwest. Having just moved from Germany, I experienced my first case of “reverse culture shock”, paralyzed by all that choice in the aisles, and standing numbly in the downtown Minneapolis Target at Nicollet and 9th.

  10. GigglesFriday, May 27th, 2011 — 10:54pm PDT

    Personally I love to shop Canadian when ever possible, unfortunately Zellers has not run well for many years, shortages of stock, items in disarray, lack of customer service, and poor quality items. So I welcome Target to take their place.

  11. LoriSaturday, May 28th, 2011 — 8:44pm PDT

    Unfortunately, Zellers is cheapo crapola. Target is innovative and fun – can’t wait for them to open!!

  12. FryonicSunday, May 29th, 2011 — 10:11am PDT

    In the past year Target has made substantial donations to anti-LGBT politicians. Google for more information.

  13. GleydsonMonday, May 30th, 2011 — 11:15am PDT

    Maybe now Zeller’s will be taken care of properly… Do not miss it and probably won’t.

  14. gdanjouSaturday, June 18th, 2011 — 6:02am PDT

    love the idea that zellers is been taken over that arm of the HBC ,has been going down in staff autitude . and the type of sales they have ,its almost like they don’t what to sell you the merhandize they stock,with the 10per cent off sales from time to time ,the cutting back on the on the seniors menue,rasing the prices and getting less,over all just terrible customer service, GEE I hope these staff member’s are not rehired,,there are some good sales staff but only a few ,target or any other canadian company, just give us decent service,

  15. MarcWednesday, November 23rd, 2011 — 2:08pm PST

    Just heard that target is moving to the old HMV on robson!? Does anyone know if this is true?

  16. gerard d’anjouMonday, February 6th, 2012 — 1:03am PST

    I have lived in vancouver all my life,what this has any thing about zellers ,I have no idea,lol,looks like the zellers at the brentwood store will stay open until the end of the year ,and no ,target will not be moving in,,pitty..I like the mall ,going there since they opened in the early 60’s and now with new owners a far east concern owning the mall ,it looks like the tenant now have their leasees ending.,it that one E or two][will not be renewed,the owner want ‘new blood ,as it were,,

  17. VanessaFriday, May 25th, 2012 — 10:49am PDT

    Hum so Brentwood’s not switching over?

  18. Alan HawkrtFriday, May 25th, 2012 — 11:35am PDT

    I have know knowledge of target but the Zellers in Scottsdale is so unloved by its staff. The place is a tip. I hope target turn it around ad make it a nice place to shop as at the moment it is filthy.

  19. SandraFriday, May 25th, 2012 — 11:40am PDT

    Hands down, Target is a great improvement over Zellers. Zellers has always been cluttered and poorly serviced. I’ve always associated Zellers with cheap, not value. So glad a well-run company like Target is coming in… better quality, service and value.

  20. MelanieSunday, June 17th, 2012 — 1:21pm PDT

    For some people the change will be painful like when they change Woolco’s for Walmart. But i think it’s gonna be better. Almost Zellers are dirt, old and the prices are not so much good. I just hope put the feet in a Target when i’m gonna back in Quebec this summer and see by myself that change.

  21. veesfan1Friday, December 7th, 2012 — 1:44pm PST

    zellers was dumpy but not all stores but most were definitely gonna be different with zellers gone but target is going to be good

  22. mravenSunday, April 7th, 2013 — 11:56am PDT

    Yay! they are coming to my town. Zeller’s was awful, Target appears to be creative and fun!

  23. mickey schwankeMonday, April 8th, 2013 — 8:55am PDT

    well i can t wait for target to come to cranbrook we need a store here for allfamily shopping now i dont have to go to kalispell thanks target happy shopping all

  24. Bill GatesFriday, May 10th, 2013 — 3:15pm PDT

    I won’t miss the Zellers stores, as they have deteriorated over the years. The staff (in Richmond) was unfriendly, not very knowledgeable.

    Hopefully, Target will be better, with better merchandise.

  25. Y adamsFriday, May 31st, 2013 — 7:31am PDT

    Anyone know a firm date as to when target opens in Kelowna bc. Can’t wait!!!!!!!!

  26. BooMonday, June 3rd, 2013 — 2:01pm PDT

    The new Campbell River Target: WAY to many staff standing around looking bored because there are so few customers, which made sense when one bossy boss got in my face for taking pictures of vacuum cleaners so i could easily look up different brands online to research which is best.

    We turned around and went to the Walmart up the road. They were happy for me to take pics for research purposes.

    Target missed the mark. And Walmart sold me a vacuum cleaner.

    Not likely to return to Target.
    😛

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