View source for Zellers

{{Short description|Canadian retail company}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Zellers
| logo = Zellers logo.svg
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| founder = [[Walter P. Zeller]]
| fate = Closed with most store leases acquired by [[Target Canada]]. A store opened in 2025 with a new owner.
| industry = [[Discount retail store]]
| defunct = {{end date and age|2013|03}}<br />(as a chain)
| products = Clothing, grocery, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewellery, beauty products, electronics, toys, sports equipment, appliances, housewares
| parent = [[Hudson's Bay Company|HBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hbc.com/hbc/about/contacts/|title=Contacts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719100513/http://www.hbc.com/hbc/about/contacts/|archive-date=July 19, 2010|website=Hudson's Bay Company |access-date=July 7, 2010}}</ref> {{small|1978–2025}}<br />[[Les Ailes de la Mode]]<ref name=":0" /> {{small|2025–present}}
| num_employees = 
| foundation = {{Start date and age|<!-- This is when Zellers the discount chain was founded, though Zellers as a whole existed before then -->1931<!--This is when Zellers the discount chain was founded, though Zellers as a whole existed before then -->}}
| location = [[Brampton]], Ontario, Canada
| locations = 1
| homepage = {{URL|https://zellers.com/}}
}}

'''Zellers''' <!-- This article is predominantly talking about the company prior to HBC's 2025 bankruptcy and liquidation. Leave as "was" for now, unless the Zellers brand gains some more traction under it's new ownership. -->is a Canadian [[discount store]] retailer. Originally founded by [[Walter P. Zeller]] in 1928 and closed two years later, it was relaunched in 1931 and acquired by the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] (HBC) in 1978. After a series of acquisitions and expansions, it peaked with 350 locations in 1999.<ref name="350 stores">{{cite news| url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MARTHA+STEWART,+ZELLARS+NAMED+IN+LAWSUIT.-a056083276| title="MARTHA STEWART, ZELLARS [''sic''] NAMED IN LAWSUIT"| first=Brian| last=Dunn| newspaper=HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network| date=October 4, 1999| access-date=April 1, 2013| archive-date=February 25, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225014804/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MARTHA+STEWART,+ZELLARS+NAMED+IN+LAWSUIT.-a056083276| url-status=live}}</ref> However, fierce competition and an inability to adapt during the early stages of the [[retail apocalypse]] resulted in Zellers losing significant ground in the 2000s.

In January 2011, HBC announced that it would sell the lease agreements for up to 220 Zellers stores to the US chain [[Target Corporation|Target]]. While HBC initially retained 64 Zellers locations, it announced in July 2012 that all of them would be closed by March 31, 2013. When the chain ceased, HBC converted three former stores into Zellers-branded liquidation outlets for [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] stores, however they all had closed by January 2020.<ref name="January 26, 2020">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/zellers-closing-memorabilia-1.5425471|title=As final Zellers stores close, former employees swap memories, memorabilia|last=Watters|first=Haydn|date=January 19, 2020|website=CBC News|access-date=February 14, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211064528/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/zellers-closing-memorabilia-1.5425471|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the Zellers brand was formally reintroduced as a [[store-within-a-store]] concept inside Hudson's Bay department stores. But in 2025, HBC filed for bankruptcy and closed all Hudson's Bay stores.

On August 28, 2025, for the third time in its history, it was announced that Zellers would be relaunched again, this time under new ownership of [[Les Ailes de la Mode]], with the first location opening in a former Hudson's Bay store at [[Londonderry Mall]] in [[Edmonton]]. After being delayed twice, it ultimately opened on October 30, 2025.

==History==
On Saturday, August 4, 1928, Zellers Ltd. was first established in [[London, Ontario]]. [[Walter P. Zeller]], its founder, opened his new store and head office at 176 Dundas Street in London after working for years for [[Metropolitan Stores]], [[F. W. Woolworth Company]] and [[Kresge's]]. The plan at the start was to have stores opened in London, [[St. Catharines]], [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]], [[Fort William, Ontario|Fort William]] (part of modern-day [[Thunder Bay]]) and [[Saint John, New Brunswick]] as part of an effort to establish a Canada-wide chain of department stores. The London store had a street frontage of {{convert|53|ft}} and a depth of {{convert|137|ft}}. It had a total of {{convert|7000|sqft}} of space on the ground floor with {{convert|2000|sqft}} of counter space spread out around the store. Sixty women were hired for the opening day working in 21 different departments. Within months, Zellers was doing such good business that they were bought out by the American firm [[H. L. Green Company|Schulte-United]] Ltd, but within two years, the rebranded stores went bankrupt.<ref name="London Free Press August 3, 1928 edition">London Free Press August 3, 1928 edition</ref><ref name="HBC Heritage — Walter P. Zeller">{{Cite web |url=https://www.hbcheritage.ca/people/builders/walter-zeller |title=HBC Heritage — Walter P. Zeller |access-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301025144/https://www.hbcheritage.ca/people/builders/walter-zeller |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1930s–1960s: Early years, partnership with W.T. Grant===
[[File:Zellers 1931 Toronto.jpg|thumb|Zellers advertisement in the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' for its 1931 grand opening in Toronto. The announced location later became part of the [[Toronto Eaton Centre]] in 1977.]]
Zeller promptly bought fourteen Canadian locations of the failed Schulte-United chain, all in Southern Ontario, and relaunched Zellers in late 1931 as a store for thrifty Canadians.<ref name="London Free Press August 3, 1928 edition"/><ref name="Torontoist">{{Cite web |url=http://torontoist.com/2015/01/vintage-toronto-ads-zellers/ |title=Daily Hive {{pipe}} Torontoist |access-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108045804/https://torontoist.com/2015/01/vintage-toronto-ads-zellers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HBC Heritage — Walter P. Zeller"/><ref name="Zellers history">{{cite web |url=http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/history/acquisitions/retail/zellers |title=HBC Heritage: The Zellers Story |work=Hudson's Bay Company |year=2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926070719/http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/history/acquisitions/retail/zellers |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the locations was the original Zellers at 176 Dundas Street in London, which would remain operating until the late 1980s.<ref name="London Free Press August 3, 1928 edition" /><ref name="Torontoist"/><ref name="HBC Heritage — Walter P. Zeller"/> Almost immediately, Zellers initiated an aggressive expansion strategy. Within 25 years, Zellers operated 60 stores and employed 3,000 people.<ref name="Zellers history"/> In 1952, in a move to expand into Atlantic Canada, it acquired the [[Federal Stores]] chain of [[variety store]]s, adding more than 12 new Zellers locations.<ref name="Zellers history"/>

During this period of expansion, Zellers concluded a deal with [[W. T. Grant]], a similar chain of American mass merchandise department stores.<ref name="Zellers history"/> This arrangement allowed W.T. Grant to purchase 10 percent of Zellers shares and eventually a 51 percent ownership in 1959.<ref name="Zellers history"/> In exchange, the Grant Company made available to Zellers its experience in merchandising, real estate, store development, and general administration. Zellers employees were sent to Grant stores and head office for training and the two companies made common buying trips to East Asia.<ref name="Zellers history"/> In the 1950s, the chain again began opening new locations and in 1956, opened its first self-serve location at the [[Norgate shopping centre]] in [[Saint-Laurent, Quebec]].<ref name="Zellers history"/> Stores opened in 1960 employed many new innovations, including the first in-store restaurant, the first automotive centre and the first suburban location.<ref name="Zellers history"/>

===1970s–1980s: Acquisitions of Field and by HBC===
[[File:Zellers logos.png|thumb|Evolution of the logo over the decades]]
In 1975, Zellers changed its logo to the current one.<ref name=ZellersBurlington/> By 1976, Zellers had grown to a chain of 155 stores, with annual sales of $407 million.<ref name="Zellers history"/>

Although Zellers was prospering, W.T. Grant was facing intense competition in the United States from Kmart, Target, and Walmart, and W.T. Grant was forced to withdraw entirely from its Canadian operations. In 1976, [[Fields (department store)|Fields]], a clothing retailer based in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, offered to purchase a 50.1 percent stake in Zellers for $32,675,000. Zellers' shareholders, unhappy with the idea of Zellers becoming a subsidiary of Fields, reversed the takeover and purchased Fields and its hardware store division, Marshall Wells. This sale added 70 Fields stores and 162 franchised Marshall Wells stores to the company. Fields president and founder, Joseph Segal was appointed as president of Zellers.<ref name="fields">{{cite web |url=http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/history/acquisitions/retail/fields |title=HBC Heritage: Fields, The Strength of an Idea |work=Hudson's Bay Company |year=2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901003241/http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/history/acquisitions/retail/fields |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 1978, Zellers presented a bid to acquire 100 percent ownership of the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] (HBC). HBC management, recognizing Zellers profitability and the potential to enter a new retail segment, decided to purchase Zellers instead. Zellers and Fields, operating in very different retail segments from HBC, were kept intact and established as separate divisions of the company. HBC acquired full ownership of Zellers and Fields in 1981 and Marshall Wells in 1982. By 1985, HBC had sold Marshall Wells for $20 million because it was not relevant to its department store business.

Counterfeit video games for the [[Atari 2600]] console were manufactured in Taiwan and sold by Zellers in the early 1980s, usually under new names and artwork and occasionally with [[ROM hacking|modified graphics]]. All games were [[Copyright infringement|pirated]] copies of titles created either by [[Atari, Inc.|Atari]] itself or by third-party developers, such as [[Activision]]. Zellers was eventually forced by Atari to stop selling these games as Zellers infringed on Atari's copyright.<ref>{{cite web|author=Retro Nouveau|title=Les jeux Atari 2600 de Zellers|trans-title=Zellers Atari 2600 games|url=http://retronouveau.tumblr.com/post/17268200307/les-jeux-atari-2600-de-zellers|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512093632/http://retronouveau.tumblr.com/post/17268200307/les-jeux-atari-2600-de-zellers|archive-date=May 12, 2012|access-date=2012-09-16|publisher=[[Tumblr]]|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="Sun">{{cite news | url=http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/04/03/zellers-reopens-its-doors-in-bells-corners?token=93bac5c80986d88d4baeb7111f167a0e | title=Zellers reopens its doors in Bells Corners | work=[[Ottawa Sun]] | date=3 April 2014 | access-date=3 April 2014 | author=Desrosiers, Sophie | archive-date=April 7, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407082420/http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/04/03/zellers-reopens-its-doors-in-bells-corners?token=93bac5c80986d88d4baeb7111f167a0e | url-status=live }}</ref> Zellers released 18 games for the Atari 2600 in the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite web
|title = AtariAge - Companies - Zellers
|url = https://www.atariage.com/company_page.php?SystemID=2600&CompanyID=61
|access-date = 2015-09-13
|archive-date = September 27, 2015
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150927205019/http://atariage.com/company_page.php?SystemID=2600&CompanyID=61
|url-status = live
}}</ref>

===1990s: Further acquisitions===
[[File:Zellers Place Versailles, Montréal, QC 19 (8274471664).jpg|thumb|Store at [[Place Versailles]] in [[Montreal]] I 2012]]
In 1990, Hudson's Bay Company acquired the 51 stores of the [[Towers Department Stores|Towers/Bonimart]] chain from the [[Oshawa Group]],<ref name="23 Oct 1990">{{cite news|title = Zellers clinches deal to take over Towers: Hudson's Bay beats out Woolworth|newspaper = [[The Globe and Mail]]|location = Toronto|page = B13|date = 23 October 1990}}</ref> and converted most of them to Zellers outlets, including its flagship location in the [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] district of [[Toronto]].<ref>{{cite web|date=August 25, 2021|title=HBC Annual Report 1991|page=12|url=https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/hrcorpreports/pdfs/6/635549.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=McGill Digital Archives|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825041924/https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/hrcorpreports/pdfs/6/635549.pdf}}</ref> Zellers advertisements at the time featured both the Towers [[mascot]], Sparky, and the Zellers mascot, Zeddy, walking arm in arm, to show the acquisition to the public. During this period, Zellers used the slogan "Where the lowest price is the law."<ref>{{cite news|title = Bucking The Trend; The Bay flies in face of recession, opening four new stores|newspaper =[[Ottawa Citizen]]|location = Ottawa|page = E6|date = 20 February 1991}}</ref>

In 1993, Hudson's Bay Company purchased the assets of the bankrupt [[Woodward's]] chain, including 21 store locations.<ref name="Zellers history"/> These were converted into Zellers and The Bay stores and greatly expanded the company's presence in Western Canada.<ref name="Zellers history"/> In 1998, Hudson's Bay Company acquired [[Kmart]]'s Canadian division, and merged it with the Zellers division to create a larger combined chain under the Zellers name.<ref name="Zellers history"/> While some Kmart locations were closed, many sites became full Zellers outlets.<ref>{{cite news|title =Ottawa-area Kmart stores survive the Bay takeover|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-citizen-ottawa-area-kmart-sto/130435607/|newspaper = [[Ottawa Citizen]]|location = Ottawa|page = 17|date = 3 March 1998}}</ref> Kmart Canada president George Heller remained with HBC, eventually becoming HBC's president and CEO in the mid-2000s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/archives/the-240m-deal-that-meant-a-fast-farewell-for-kmart-in-canada-1.5443333 |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013070038/https://www.cbc.ca/archives/the-240m-deal-that-meant-a-fast-farewell-for-kmart-in-canada-1.5443333 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, Hudson's Bay Company closed its Zellers head office in [[Montreal]], Quebec and merged it with the Hudson's Bay Company headquarters in downtown Toronto. By 1998, Hudson's Bay Company reestablished its Zellers head office at the former Kmart Canada head office in [[Brampton]], Ontario.<ref name="Zellers history"/>

===2000s: Decline===
In Hudson's Bay Company's last year as a publicly traded company, Zellers had 291 stores and lost $107 million on sales of $4.2 billion. On February 28, 2006, Hudson's Bay Company was taken private by [[South Carolina]] businessman [[Jerry Zucker (businessman)|Jerry Zucker]].<ref name="atzellers">{{cite news|last=Flavelle|first=Dana|date=July 31, 2009|title=At Zellers, lowest price is still prime focus|newspaper=Toronto Star|location=Toronto|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2009/07/31/at_zellers_lowest_price_is_still_prime_focus.html|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122657/https://www.thestar.com/business/2009/07/31/at_zellers_lowest_price_is_still_prime_focus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following Zucker's death in 2008, Hudson's Bay Company and its subsidiaries including Zellers came under the ownership of a New York-based [[private equity]] firm, [[NRDC Equity Partners]], which was headed by [[Richard A. Baker (businessman)|Richard Baker]]. NRDC also owned the [[Lord & Taylor]] upscale specialty retail department store chain in the United States.<ref name="circle-zellers">{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/us-chains-circle-zellers-properties/article1866399/|title=US. chains circle Zellers properties|last1=Strauss|first1=Marina|last2=Ladurantaye|first2=Steve|date=January 11, 2011|work=The Globe and Mail|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113080235/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/us-chains-circle-zellers-properties/article1866399/|archive-date=January 13, 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

Mark Foote was appointed President and CEO of Zellers in 2008, having recently served as president and chief merchandising officer at [[Loblaw Companies]] and prior to that was president of [[Canadian Tire]] Corp.'s retail division.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/archive/foote-faces-turnaround-challenge-loblaw | title=Foote Faces Turnaround Challenge at Loblaw | date=February 19, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/latest-news/foote-former-loblaw-president-named-ceo-zellers | title=Foote, Former Loblaw President, Named CEO at Zellers | date=August 4, 2008 }}</ref> Foote was credited with stabilizing the chain, though it still continued losing ground against [[Walmart Canada]].<ref name="atzellers" /><ref name="theglobeandmail1">{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/zellers-ceo-rewrites-the-book-on-liquidation/article4182420/ | location=Toronto | work=The Globe and Mail | title=Zellers CEO rewrites the book on liquidation | date=September 6, 2012 | access-date=September 19, 2017 | archive-date=December 20, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220171738/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/zellers-ceo-rewrites-the-book-on-liquidation/article4182420/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, NRDC invested heavily in The Bay and managed a turnaround by repositioning it as an upscale, fashion-forward retailer.  However, the Zellers chain was still struggling and was seen as a drag on the parent company and its American owner.<ref name="circle-zellers"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2012/07/26/zellers_to_close_last_64_stores_as_target_moves_into_canada.html |title=Zellers to close last 64 stores as Target moves into Canada |first=Dana |last=Flavelle |work=Toronto Star |date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119044534/http://www.thestar.com/business/2012/07/26/zellers_to_close_last_64_stores_as_target_moves_into_canada.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=July 27, 2012|title=Zellers closing local stores|url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/07/27/zellers-closing-local-stores|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729074138/http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/07/27/zellers-closing-local-stores|archive-date=July 29, 2013|access-date=July 14, 2014|publisher=[[The Sudbury Star]]}}</ref>

===2011–2013: Lease acquisitions by Target, liquidation and closures===
[[File:Zellers Brossard, QC 10 (8272618151) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Liquidation closing sale at a Zellers store in [[Brossard]], Quebec]]
On January 13, 2011, it was announced that American retail chain [[Target Corporation]] would purchase the lease agreements of up to 220 Zellers stores for $1.825 billion.<ref name="target-reuters">John Tilak, [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1326316220110113 "UPDATE 2-Target to enter Canada with Zellers deal, own plans: Target plans to open up to 150 stores in Canada"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308194840/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1326316220110113 |date=March 8, 2021 }}, [[Reuters]] January 13, 2011.</ref> Under the agreement, Zellers would sublease the properties and continue to operate them as Zellers locations until January 2012 at the earliest, and at the latest the end of March 2013.<ref name="target-sec">{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/27419/000104746911002032/a2201861zex-2_a.htm|title=Transaction Agreement between Zellers Inc., Hudson's Bay Company, Target Corporation and Target Canada Co.|date=2011-01-12|publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]|access-date=2011-03-28|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308101631/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/27419/000104746911002032/a2201861zex-2_a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of this announcement, Zellers operated 273 stores, well below the 350 stores it had in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|title=Target's Canadian foray hits cost hurdle|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/targets-canadian-foray-hits-cost-hurdle/article580809/|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=May 18, 2011|publisher=theglobeandmail|last1=Strauss|first1=Marina|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220171749/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/targets-canadian-foray-hits-cost-hurdle/article580809/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="350 stores"/><ref name="thestar.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/business/article/1232336--retailer-hudson-s-bay-co-to-close-most-of-its-remaining-64-zellers-stores | title=Zellers to close last 64 stores as Target moves into Canada | first=Dana | last=Flavelle | newspaper=Toronto Star | date=July 26, 2012 | access-date=September 19, 2017 | archive-date=December 26, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226064742/http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1232336--retailer-hudson-s-bay-co-to-close-most-of-its-remaining-64-zellers-stores | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Truro_Daily_2013_04_01">{{cite news|url=https://www.trurodaily.com/Business/2013-04-01/article-3211211/Emotions-run-deep-during-Zellers%26rsquo-last-day-in-Truro/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801074749/https://www.trurodaily.com/Business/2013-04-01/article-3211211/Emotions-run-deep-during-Zellers%26rsquo-last-day-in-Truro/1|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2013|title=Emotions run deep during Zellers' last day in Truro|last=Chiasson|first=Monique|date=April 1, 2013|work=Truro Daily News|access-date=April 26, 2013}}</ref>

Upon the announcement, it was reported that once the Zellers stores at these locations were closed, Target would renovate 100 to 150 of them to reopen the stores under the Target banner during 2013 and 2014. The remaining acquired sites would be transferred to other retailers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/target-heads-north-in-zellers-deal/article1868308/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116180142/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/target-heads-north-in-zellers-deal/article1868308/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-16|title=Target heads north in Zellers deal|author=Marina Strauss and Steve Ladurantaye|date=2011-01-13|work=Globe and Mail|access-date=2011-01-13|location=Toronto}}</ref> HBC had said that it would continue to operate the remaining Zellers stores as a smaller chain in specific communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/target-buys-zellers-leases-for-1-8b-1.981132|title=Target buys Zellers leases for $1.8B|work=CBC News|date=2011-01-13|access-date=2012-09-21|archive-date=September 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922110403/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/01/13/target-zelles-takeover.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Of the maximum 220 locations, 105 to be transferred to Target were identified in late May 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/target-selects-initial-zellers-204201.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529123111/http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/target-selects-initial-zellers-204201.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-05-29|title=Target Selects Initial Zellers Leases, Vast Majority to Become Target Stores|author=Target Corporation|author-link=Target Corporation|date=2011-05-26|access-date=2011-05-26}}</ref> and another lot of 84 locations in late September 2011, bringing the total number of Zellers stores acquired by Target to 189.<ref name="Canada Free Press">{{cite web|url=http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/40622|title=Hudson's Bay Company Confirms Final List of 189 Zellers Locations to be Assumed by Target|date=September 23, 2011|publisher=Canada Free Press|access-date=October 8, 2011|archive-date=October 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010140330/http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/40622|url-status=live}}</ref> Of these 189 stores, 39 were resold to [[Walmart Canada]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/walmart-picks-up-39-zellers-sites-from-target-1.1106469|title=Walmart picks up 39 Zellers sites from Target|author=The Canadian Press|author-link=The Canadian Press|publisher=CBC|location=Canada|date=2011-06-24|access-date=2011-06-24|archive-date=June 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627111045/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/06/24/walmart-zellers-leases-target.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust|RioCan REIT]] was significantly affected, as many of its mall properties include Zellers locations.<ref name="circle-zellers"/><ref name="theglobeandmail2">{{cite web |first=Marina |last=Strauss |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/hbc-seeks-to-close-books-on-zellers-leases/article5011029/ |title=HBC seeks to close books on Zellers leases |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017214016/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/hbc-seeks-to-close-books-on-zellers-leases/article5011029/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, the [[United Food and Commercial Workers]] Union planned to hold demonstrations as many Zellers staffers were to be laid off instead of being retained by Target or Walmart. This was in marked contrast to the takeover of [[Woolco]] by Walmart in 1994, where all employees of the acquired stores were retained.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metronews.ca/news/canada/340753/zellers-employees-walk-away-empty-handed-in-1-825-billion-deal/|title=Zellers employees walk away empty-handed in $1.825-billion deal|date=August 17, 2012|publisher=[[Metro International|Metro News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824100704/http://metronews.ca/news/canada/340753/zellers-employees-walk-away-empty-handed-in-1-825-billion-deal/|archive-date=August 24, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

The President and CEO of Zellers, Mark Foote, had a mandate to liquidate the 273 Zellers stores in preparing it for Target's takeover by October 2011. Foote's strategy was to use a blueprint of a retail liquidation, but without the typical insolvency and desperation that plagued failing chains. Foote focused on raising profits, even if that meant losing market share and reducing store traffic, by ramping up inventory levels of higher margin goods over loss leaders such as apparel over deeply discounted paper towels and detergent, and by slashing costs. Foote also replaced the expensive fall television advertising campaign with a social media blitz on [[Facebook]]. Reportedly, the strategy was paying off as Zellers operating profit was "well ahead of expectations and the retailer had performed very well in 2011.<ref name="theglobeandmail1"/>

In March 2012, the first 50 Zellers stores were put in liquidation. This included all 39 Zellers stores slated to become Walmart outlets. By mid-June, the latter locations were closed to the public. On June 25, 2012, 17 more stores in Ontario were put in liquidation.<ref name="Liquid1">[http://www.zellers.com/liquidation/en/ Liquidation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023125831/http://www.zellers.com/liquidation/en/ |date=October 23, 2012 }}. Zellers. Retrieved May 1, 2012.</ref>

The Hudson's Bay Company announced on July 26, 2012, that it would close most of the 64 remaining stores that were supposed to continue operating as Zellers outlets. A company spokesperson stated that these stores employ 6,400 people, or approximately 100 per location, range in size from 48,000 to 128,000 square feet and are mostly in small towns. The closings of these stores were to happen at the latest on March 31, 2013 which coincided with the deadline date the HBC had to vacate the sites acquired by Target. The HBC's main reason for closing the 64 remaining stores was due to Zellers lack of profitability.<ref name="thestar.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalnews.ca/canadas%20remaining%2064%20zellers%20stores%20to%20close/6442686687/story.html|title=Global News - Latest & Current News - Weather, Sports & Health News}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 26, 2012|title=Most remaining Zellers stores to close by March 2013|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/most-remaining-zellers-stores-to-close-by-march-2013-1.1143421?cmp=rss|access-date=July 27, 2012|archive-date=July 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727083617/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2012/07/26/zellers-closure.html?cmp=rss|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/hudsons-bay-to-close-remaining-zellers-stores/article4442797/ |title=Hudson's Bay to close remaining Zellers stores |first=Josh |last=O'Kane |work=The Globe and Mail |date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232247/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/hudsons-bay-to-close-remaining-zellers-stores/article4442797/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The HBC also remarked that it would not be viable to keep Zellers as an ongoing chain due to the geographical locations of the remaining 64 stores.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 26, 2012|title=La fin de Zellers|language=fr|trans-title=The end of Zellers|work=Radio-Canada|url=http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie/2012/07/26/009-zellers-fermeture-fin.shtml|access-date=October 13, 2012|archive-date=July 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729190738/http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie/2012/07/26/009-zellers-fermeture-fin.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The HBC did not exclude the possibility of keeping some stores open and converting them as [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|The Bay]] or [[Home Outfitters]] outlets.<ref>{{cite web|title=La plupart des Zellers restants fermeront - Québec|trans-title=Most of the remaining Zellers will close - Quebec|url=http://affaires.lapresse.ca/economie/quebec/201207/26/01-4559709-la-plupart-des-zellers-restants-fermeront.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728155346/http://affaires.lapresse.ca/economie/quebec/201207/26/01-4559709-la-plupart-des-zellers-restants-fermeront.php|archive-date=July 28, 2012|language=fr}}</ref>

After the deal with Target Corporation, HBC still had a burden in half{{ambiguous|date=December 2016}} of the $226.4 million of Zellers lease obligations remaining through 2016, with the rent for 2012 alone being almost half of HBC's adjusted profit. With HBC preparing an initial public offering in late 2012, it either terminated these liabilities with landlords at steep discounts or found new tenants to sublet the space.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ari |last=Altstedter |url=http://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/05/outstanding-zellers-rents-to-hit-hudson-bays-ipo/ |title=Hudson's Bay IPO: Share price could be dragged down by Zellers rents |newspaper=[[Financial Post]] |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204101/http://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/05/outstanding-zellers-rents-to-hit-hudson-bays-ipo/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="theglobeandmail2"/>

After HBC decided not to continue Zellers with the remaining 64 stores, these locations started their liquidation sale on December 26, 2012 and the company stopped accepting returns on January 31, 2013. Liquidators sold nearly all of Zellers merchandise, store fixtures and shopping carts at discounted prices.

===2013–2020: Liquidator ===
[[File:A re-opened Zellers store at Bells Corners in Ottawa.jpg|thumb|The storefront of the re-opened Zellers in [[Bells Corners]], Ottawa (closed again in 2020)<!-- Don't mention that this is formerly a Kmart as it is tangential -->]]

In January 2013, HBC revised its strategy and decided to keep a total of three stores open under the Zellers banner after March 31, 2013.<ref name="three Zellers stores">{{cite web| title =Zellers will stick around Canada's three biggest cities after Target arrives| url =http://o.canada.com/2013/01/08/zellers-will-stick-around-canadas-three-biggest-cities-after-target-arrives/| access-date =January 14, 2013| archive-date =January 14, 2013| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130114212716/http://o.canada.com/2013/01/08/zellers-will-stick-around-canadas-three-biggest-cities-after-target-arrives/| url-status =dead}}</ref><ref name="HBC store locator">{{cite web| title = HBC store locator| url = http://www.hbc.com/storelocator/?langid=en&src=hbc| access-date = February 23, 2014| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140311201749/http://www.hbc.com/storelocator/?langid=en&src=hbc| archive-date = March 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Surrey Now"/> These locations no longer operated as discount department stores, but instead as liquidation outlets for sister chain [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|The Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/five-burning-questions-as-zellers-final-two-stores-set-to-close-1.1326514|title=Five burning questions as Zellers' final two stores set to close - BNN Bloomberg|first=Paige|last=Ellis|date=October 4, 2019|website=BNN|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207172005/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/five-burning-questions-as-zellers-final-two-stores-set-to-close-1.1326514|url-status=live}}</ref> HBC communications manager Tiffany Bourré described these locations as featuring fashion apparel and a refined home product offering with more from other HBC banners.<ref name="three Zellers stores"/><ref name="Surrey Now">{{cite web
 |title       = Zellers store to stay open at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre
 |url         = http://www.thenownewspaper.com/business/Zellers+store+stay+open+Semiahmoo+Shopping+Centre/7800250/story.html#ixzz2Hz7zrhhS
 |access-date  = January 14, 2013
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130130013814/http://www.thenownewspaper.com/business/Zellers+store+stay+open+Semiahmoo+Shopping+Centre/7800250/story.html#ixzz2Hz7zrhhS
 |archive-date = January 30, 2013
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/zellers-closing-memorabilia-1.5425471 |title=Archived copy |access-date=February 14, 2020 |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211064528/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/zellers-closing-memorabilia-1.5425471 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Originally, these included the store at [[Place Bourassa]] in [[Montréal-Nord|Montreal North]], Quebec, but it closed in early 2014. Replacing it was a previously closed Zellers in the Ottawa community of [[Nepean, Ontario|Nepean]], which reopened on April 3, 2014, keeping the number of stores at three.<ref>{{cite web |title = Ottawa Metro newspaper ad, page 9 |url = http://reader.metronews.ca/digital_launch.aspx?id=1bc30598-6ee6-4456-b9ba-c81a09224ac9&pnum=9 |access-date = March 27, 2014 |archive-date = April 7, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075134/http://reader.metronews.ca/digital_launch.aspx?id=1bc30598-6ee6-4456-b9ba-c81a09224ac9&pnum=9 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Zeddy's not dead: A closed Zellers store is actually reopening in Ottawa|url=http://o.canada.com/business/zellers-zeddy-reincarnation/|access-date=April 3, 2014|website=canada.com|archive-date=April 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404060346/http://o.canada.com/business/zellers-zeddy-reincarnation/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Zellers returns to Ottawa|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/zellers-returns-to-ottawa/|access-date=April 3, 2014|work=[[CJOH-DT|CTV News Ottawa]]|date=March 31, 2014|archive-date=April 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403180156/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/zellers-returns-to-ottawa-1.1754241|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2014, the last Zellers in Western Canada, at [[Semiahmoo Shopping Centre]] in [[Surrey, British Columbia]], was closed, leaving only two stores remaining nationwide: at Kipling Queensway Mall in [[Etobicoke]], Ontario, and Bells Corners in Nepean, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web|title=Semiahmoo Shopping Centre cites Zellers exit as 'great news'|url=http://www.peacearchnews.com/business/263363491.html|access-date=January 8, 2015|website=peacearchnews|archive-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108131642/http://www.peacearchnews.com/business/263363491.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Both locations were closed by January 26, 2020.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/zellers-last-two-stores-closing-toronto-ottawa-1.5273710| title = Hudson's Bay to shutter last 2 Zellers stores in Toronto and Ottawa {{!}} CBC News| access-date = September 21, 2019| archive-date = September 11, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190911073354/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/zellers-last-two-stores-closing-toronto-ottawa-1.5273710| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/canadas-two-remaining-zellers-stores-slated-to-close/|title=Canada's two remaining Zellers stores slated to close|first=Christy|last=Somos|date=September 6, 2019|website=CTVNews|access-date=September 21, 2019|archive-date=September 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921001656/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-s-two-remaining-zellers-stores-slated-to-close-1.4580805|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=close>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2020/01/zellers-toronto-close-early-massive-lineups/|title=The last Zellers in Toronto is being forced to close early due to massive lineups|website=www.blogto.com|access-date=January 11, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111170146/https://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2020/01/zellers-toronto-close-early-massive-lineups/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2021–2025: Hudson's Bay store-within-a-store relaunch ===
[[File:Zellers in Hudson's Bay at Erin Mills Town Centre-Mississauga 2023.jpg|thumb|Zellers at former [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] department store at [[Erin Mills Town Centre]], [[Mississauga]]]]
In September 2021, as a pilot project, HBC relaunched the Zellers brand as a [[Pop-up retail|pop-up shop]] within a [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] department store at the [[Burlington Centre]] mall in [[Ontario]].<ref name=ZellersBurlington>{{cite web|url=https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2021/09/zellers-store-in-store-launches-inside-of-hudsons-bay-location-photos/|title=Zellers Store-in-Store Launches inside of Hudson's Bay Location [Photos]|website=Retail Insider|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2021|archive-date=September 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924122519/https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2021/09/zellers-store-in-store-launches-inside-of-hudsons-bay-location-photos/|url-status=live}}</ref> Essentially a [[store-within-a-store]] concept, it sported hanging Zellers logo banners, the classic red-and-white painted walls colour scheme, and red floor lines to mark off one small section within the Hudson's Bay store. While offering a limited selection of goods, including Canada-branded apparel, bedding, housewares and toys, it mainly was intended to invoke a "fun and nostalgic experience" according to HBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redflagdeals.com/latest-news/21/09/24/zellers-hudsons-bay-pop-up-canada/|title=Zellers is Back – Hudson's Bay Opens New Zellers Pop-Up in Burlington|website=[[RedFlagDeals.com]]|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927224000/https://www.redflagdeals.com/latest-news/21/09/24/zellers-hudsons-bay-pop-up-canada/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, HBC stated more Hudson's Bay locations may use the concept in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/zellers-is-popping-back-into-canadians-lives-where-in-canada-is-the-new-location-1.5599857|title=Zellers is popping back into Canadians lives; where in Canada is the new location?|website=[[CTV News]]|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2021|archive-date=September 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925134438/https://www.ctvnews.ca/zellers-is-popping-back-into-canadians-lives-where-in-canada-is-the-new-location-1.5599857|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequent reporting by trade publication ''Retail Insider'' indicated the pop-up location may have been prompted by [[trademark]] filings by an unrelated group that had opened two stores under the Zellers (as well as [[Kmart#Canada|Kmart Canada]]) brands after HBC allowed a trademark on the Zellers logo to expire in 2020; HBC sued the group to prevent what it alleged to be unauthorized use of a brand that it still controlled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2021/10/quebec-family-nabs-zellers-trademark-from-hbc-to-open-small-format-zellers-stores-and-restaurants/|title=Quebec Family Nabs Zellers Trademark From HBC to Open Small-Format Zellers Stores and Restaurants|first=Craig|last=Patterson|work=Retail Insider|date=October 12, 2021|access-date=October 14, 2021|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013122948/https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2021/10/quebec-family-nabs-zellers-trademark-from-hbc-to-open-small-format-zellers-stores-and-restaurants/|url-status=live}}</ref> Some retail analysts believed the re-introduction of Zellers was primarily due to HBC's lawsuit over protection of its trademark, using it as a demonstration of ownership of the brand, and doubted any successful expansion or revitalization of the former chain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=The return of Zellers: Hudson's Bay to resurrect Canadian discount retail chain |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/the-return-of-zellers-hudsons-bay-to-resurrect-canadian-discount-retail-chain/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |work=[[CTV News]] |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817214901/https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/the-return-of-zellers-hudson-s-bay-to-resurrect-canadian-discount-retail-chain-1.6030337 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In March 2023, HBC formally brought back the Zellers brand as an e-commerce website and physical space within 12 select Hudson's Bay stores in Ontario and Alberta.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9550075/zellers-locations-ontario-alberta-launch-date/|title=Zellers comeback: When and where you can shop at the discount retailer again|date= March 14, 2023|website=[[Global News]]}}</ref> By April 2023, there were 25 Hudson's Bay stores across Canada with a Zellers-themed section.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/zellers-announces-remaining-store-opening-dates-844864978.html|title=Zellers announces remaining store opening date|date=March 31, 2023|website=[[CNW Group]]}}</ref> After another wave of openings in August, it was announced in September 2023 that the totality of Hudson's Bay locations would have Zellers spaces by the end of the month.<ref name="July 18, 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9839478/zellers-pop-up-stores-canada-hudsons-bay|title=21 new Zellers pop-up shops to open inside Hudson's Bay stores in 5 provinces|date=July 18, 2023|website=[[Global News]]}}</ref><ref name="September 5, 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/zellers-to-pop-up-in-all-remaining-hudson-s-bay-locations-866644473.html|title=Zellers to pop up in all remaining Hudson's Bay locations|date=September 5, 2023|website=[[CNW Group]]}}</ref> The Zellers shops ranged in size from {{convert|1000|to|10000|sqft}}, with the first 25 locations being typically larger than the ones that opened later in the year.<ref name="July 18, 2023"/><ref name="September 5, 2023"/> 

Customers were disappointed by the revival. Unlike the former Zeller discount stores, pricing was found to be overly expensive, and the experience dissimilar, with the small sections in most stores nearly indistinguishable from the rest of Hudson's Bay shopping spaces. Additionally, there were no dedicated or uniformed Zellers staff in-store, nor a return of the indoor restaurants, making the overall experience feel no different than shopping at a Hudson Bay store.<ref>{{Cite web |title=People in Canada unimpressed with Zellers relaunch and wonder what hype was about {{!}} National |url=https://dailyhive.com/canada/people-canada-unimpressed-with-zellers |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Daily Hive |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2025, HBC filed for bankruptcy and began a liquidation and closure of most of its stores.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Hudson's Bay files for creditor protection, intends to restructure |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/hudsons-bay-creditor-protection-1.7477926 |access-date=June 3, 2025 |website=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2025-04-23 |title=Hudson's Bay to liquidate all remaining stores, court filing says |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/hudsons-bay-to-liquidate-all-remaining-stores-court-docs/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=[[CTV News]] |language=en}}</ref> On June 1, 2025, all HBC stores ceased retail operations and permanently closed.<ref name="Austen">{{cite news |last1=Austen |first1=Ian |title=A 355-Year-Old Company That Once Owned One-Third of Canada Is Shutting Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/01/world/canada/canada-hudsons-bay-stores-closing.html |access-date=June 1, 2025 |work=New York Times |date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> Most of HBC's intellectual properties were acquired by [[Canadian Tire]].<ref>{{Cite web |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2025-05-15 |title=Hudson's Bay to sell name, stripes, brands to Canadian Tire for $30 million |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/hudsons-bay-to-sell-brands-to-canadian-tire-for-30-million/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=[[CTV News]] |language=en}}</ref> However, that deal did not include Zellers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-27 |title=Canadian Tire will acquire trove of Hudson's Bay brands, but not Zellers. |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canadian-tire-will-acquire-trove-of-hudsons-bay-brands-but-not-zellers/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref> 

=== 2025: Relaunch under Les Ailes de la Mode ===
On August 28, 2025, a relaunch of the Zellers brand was announced under new ownership, [[Les Ailes de la Mode]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Deschamps |first=Tara |last2=Hudes |first2=Sammy |date=2025-08-29 |title=Zellers trademarks sold to Quebec retailer, court documents show |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/zellers-trademarks-sold-to-quebec-retailer-court-documents-show/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=[[CFCF-DT|CTV News Montreal]] |publisher=[[The Canadian Press]] |language=en-CA}}</ref> The first location, since that date, run by the parent company of Fairweather and International Clothiers, in an anchor space formerly held by a [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] at [[Londonderry Mall]] in [[Edmonton]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-28 |title=Zellers returns — again — this time starting in Edmonton |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/zellers-returns-again-edmonton-1.7620559 |access-date=2025-08-29 |work=[[CBC News]] |language=en |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellingson |first1=Craig |title=Opening of new Zellers in Edmonton delayed |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/opening-of-zellers-in-londonderry-mall-delayed/ |access-date=2 September 2025 |work=[[CFRN-DT|CTV News Edmonton]] |date=2 September 2025}}</ref> Although initially set to open on August 29 and then September 1, it ultimately opened on October 30, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mulcahy |first1=Karyn |title=Opening of Edmonton Zellers store delayed for a 3rd time |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/opening-of-edmonton-zellers-store-delayed-for-a-3rd-time/ |access-date=6 September 2025 |work=CTV News |date=5 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/revived-zellers-at-londonderry-mall-to-open-at-end-of-month/|title=Revived Zellers at Londonderry Mall to open at end of month|website=[[CTV News]]|date=October 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ellingson |first=Craig |date=October 30, 2025 |title=New Zellers officially opens at Edmonton’s Londonderry Mall |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/new-zellers-officially-open-at-londonderry-mall/ |access-date=October 30, 2025 |website=CTV News}}</ref>

==Stores==
[[File:Zellersstoreinmoncton.JPG|thumb|Former Zellers location in [[Moncton]], New Brunswick]]

Zellers operated stores from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Victoria, British Columbia and employed over 35,000 people. The average store size was 94,000 square feet (8,700 m<sup>2</sup>). Zellers Select stores were designed for smaller markets with populations under 25,000, with stores averaged 45,000 square feet (4,200 m<sup>2</sup>). Some multi-level stores were equipped with a shopping cart system known as the Cartveyor, designed to transport shopping carts between floors next to a standard escalator, while there were few that were so small, they were also equipped with elevators alongside escalators open to shoppers, such as with the Lawrence Square Shopping Centre (later renamed [[Lawrence Allen Centre]] in 2019) location in the [[North York]] district of Toronto; this location had two levels.

In July 2010, Zellers unveiled prototype store designs in five Winnipeg locations, with two more originally planned for late 2010 and early 2011. One store opened on the lower floor of the downtown Winnipeg Bay store, making it a Bay-Zellers hybrid location.

===Restaurant===
'''The Skillet''', Zellers in-store restaurant brand, launched in 1960.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Chapin|first1=Angelina|title=The Ode: Zellers (1931 - 2011) - Canadian Business - Your Source For Business News|url=http://www.canadianbusiness.com/lifestyle/the-ode-zellers-1931-2011/|website=Canadian Business|access-date=November 17, 2017|date=January 14, 2011|quote=In 1960, Zellers opened its first in-store restaurant, The Skillet, as well as an auto-centre, and its first store in a suburban mall.|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035943/http://www.canadianbusiness.com/lifestyle/the-ode-zellers-1931-2011/|url-status=live}}</ref> The restaurants underwent several revisions and were branded as '''Zellers Family Restaurant''' before their demise. In spring 2023, the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] brought the restaurant back as a [[food truck]] at select locations.

===Liquidation centres===
Even before the three locations were converted in 2013 to serve as clearance stores for [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] and [[Home Outfitters]], the Zellers chain proper had also operated a few liquidation centres for its own merchandise. Those were typically former regular Zellers stores that had been converted as liquidation centres for a limited time before closing down for good. The Zellers Family restaurants continued operating in these liquidation centres.

==Products==
Products sold at Zellers included clothing, groceries, stationery, toys, electronics, furniture, and home supplies.

===Grocery===
All Zellers sold basic groceries such as dry snacks and other prepackaged foods. The Neighbourhood Market, formerly available at some locations, was Zellers' expanded section of grocery items, which included frozen and dairy aisles. Prototype stores in [[Winnipeg]] featured full grocery departments including fresh produce and baked goods. Such plans were dropped following Target Canada's acquisition of many Zellers leases. Some stores removed their The Neighbourhood Market section and expanded the other sections.

===Exclusive labels===
Zellers carried many of its own labels and also had exclusive rights in Canada to some other labels:
<!--Please do not add labels that are found outside of Zellers/Target-->
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Alfred Sung]] Home
* Beaumark
* Big Star
* Big Z {{small|(pillows)}}
* Home Studio
* Homestyles
* Hunt Club
* Marketsquare
* Midtown
* Nest by House & Home
* Request {{small|(promoted by [[Ashlee Simpson]])}}
* Sportek {{small|(unrelated to [[Sport Chek]], a retailer owned by [[Canadian Tire]])}}
* [[Stuff by Hilary Duff]]
* Truly
* [[X Games]]
* Zeddy {{small|(baby products)}}
}}

When Zellers relaunched as a pop-up store in 2023, they announced a new exclusive label, Anko, an Australian company. Its products are available online and at physical Zellers stores, as well as in Australian Kmart stores. The Zellers pop-up stores contain mostly products by Anko and in-house brands.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2023/03/inside-zellers-2-0-and-its-newly-secured-in-house-brand-anko-photos-analysis/ |title=Inside Zellers 2.0 and its Newly Secured In-House Brand 'Anko' [Photos/Analysis] |date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323051450/https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2023/03/inside-zellers-2-0-and-its-newly-secured-in-house-brand-anko-photos-analysis/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Acquired labels====
Some labels exclusive to [[Target Corporation]] in the United States were previously exclusive to Zellers in Canada. After Target's acquisition of Zellers leases until its closure, [[Target Canada]] became the exclusive store for the following brands:
*[[Cherokee Inc.|Cherokee]]
*[[Mossimo]]
*Wabasso

However, Target Canada closed in 2015, leaving Wabasso, and Mossimo unavailable in Canada since then. Cherokee was then carried by [[Sears Canada]] for a short period, until it too closed in January 2018. With the demise of Zellers, Target Canada and Sears Canada, these brands are no longer carried in Canada.

==Customer service==
On January 6, 2012, [[CBC Television]]'s ''[[Marketplace (Canadian TV program)|Marketplace]]'' announced that Zellers received the title of Canada's Worst Customer Service as a department store, based on a survey conducted by CBC with the [[Léger Marketing]] research firm in eight metropolitan areas. The retailer refused to be interviewed by ''Marketplace'' host [[Erica Johnson]] regarding its ranking, providing her with a written statement instead. Zellers also did not offer a refund to the mystery shopper who bought a used coffeemaker that was presented as new, and attempted to return the product after the advertised 30-day return period. Zellers Customer Service did not respond to this customer's [[Twitter]]<!--Don't replace with X as the discussion occurred one decade before Elon Musk purchased Twitter and its subsequent rebranding to X--> message seeking satisfactory resolution.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada's Worst Customer Service|publisher=CBC|url=http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2012-episodes/canadas-worst-customer-service-store-edition|access-date=2015-01-15|archive-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105224451/http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2012-episodes/canadas-worst-customer-service-store-edition|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Advertising==
Zellers ran a Festive Finale advertising campaign in late 2011. Zeddy was also used as a mascot to advertise the retailer's toy selection.

===Festive Finale===
The Festive Finale campaign was used to advertise Zellers last Christmas and holiday season sale in December 2011. There was a website called ZellersFacebook.ca, which allowed customers to vote for their favourite coupon and musical genre. While Zellers recommended that customers have a Facebook account and [[Like button|Like]] the company, both of these steps were optional. It was also possible to record a radio commercial for Zellers Moonlight Madness sale by using a computer microphone and reading the site's [[teleprompter]]. Zellers also had social networking service accounts on Twitter<!--Do not replace with X as the campaign happened before Elon Musk purchased the website and rebranded it--> and [[YouTube]]. Festive Finale was criticized for its Boxing Week coupon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/194103/zellers-customers-outraged-by-online-ad-error/|title=Zellers customers outraged by online ad error {{pipe}} Globalnews.ca|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013247/https://globalnews.ca/news/194103/zellers-customers-outraged-by-online-ad-error/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Loyalty program===
As a [[Hudson's Bay Company]] subsidiary, Zellers promoted the Hudson's Bay Rewards program also available at [[Hudson's Bay (department store)|Hudson's Bay]] and [[Home Outfitters]]. It had been known as Club Z and HBC Rewards. The program used a points card, available at no charge but only accepted by Zellers and other partners. A Hudson's Bay MasterCard issued by Capital One is also available, which rewards customers with one point per dollar spent on the card at any retailer. Any Zellers cashier failing to inform a customer about the HBC MasterCard had to give that customer 10,000 HBC points. This is equivalent to 250 Hudson's Bay points, or one eighth of the requirement for a $10 gift card. Hudson's Bay points can still be redeemed for Hudson's Bay gift cards.

===Slogans===
Numerous slogans were used by Zellers:
* Early 1980s: The low prices of Zellers are in the news (Zellers{{sic}} low prices are making headlines)
* 1980s: Only you'll know how little you paid
* 1980s: Shopping anywhere else is pointless
* Late 1980s and 1990s: Where the lowest price is the law!, followed by Where the lowest price is the law...everyday! and Because the lowest price is the law.
* 1990s: Truly Canadian
* 1997–2000: Better and Better
* 2000–2013: Everything from A to Z
<!--Please don't add the "Expect More, Pay Less" slogan, as it is Target's slogan and Zellers never used it-->

===Zeddy===
[[File:Zeddy Wheel.ogg|thumb|Zeddy encourages children to ride the Zeddy Wheel attraction at Zellers.]]
Zeddy is a [[teddy bear]] mascot used by Zellers all over Canada. He was first used in 1986<ref name="Zeddy contest">{{cite web|title=Zellers Announces Everything Must Go... Including Zeddy|url=http://www2.hbc.com/hbc/mediacentre/press/hbc/press.asp?prId=438|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025202307/http://www2.hbc.com/hbc/mediacentre/press/hbc/press.asp?prId=438|archive-date=October 25, 2012|access-date=2012-12-21|publisher=Zellers}}</ref> as an advertising campaign, and then rose to his popularity by the early 1990s. The main purpose of Zeddy was to advertise Toyland, the toy section in Zellers stores. Zellers provided a stuffed Zeddy bear for any child who had a birthday party sponsored by Zellers. There was also a Zellers employee in a giant Zeddy costume hosting the party. A lineup of various Zeddy toys were also created.<ref name="JasonFinale">{{cite web|title=Zellers' Festive Finale presents: "Pick the Playlist" with Jason the Cashier|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKs2mh0mY8U|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810010039/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKs2mh0mY8U|archive-date=2013-08-10|access-date=2011-11-28|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In the final months before the last of the Zellers stores were closed permanently, the company distributed large batches of stuffed Zeddy Bears for sale in stores throughout the network.
[[File:Zeddy.jpg|thumb|right|195px|A Zeddy Bear, as sold in the chain's last months. A new version of the Zeddy Bear was introduced in 2023 that has a red shirt instead of a yellow one.]]
Many stores feature a Zeddy Wheel ride, which accommodates one young child on a miniature [[ferris wheel]] type ride. The ride costs $1 and plays carnival music when in use. When no one is riding the wheel, Zeddy says on a regular basis, "Come ride with me! All aboard the Zeddy Wheel!" in an attempt to attract customers.<!--this was included with <ref> tags; updated to comment December 2016: Voice clips and pictures coming soon.-->  Despite Zeddy being withdrawn as the official mascot of Zellers in 2005, the Zeddy Wheel remained in operation at stores featuring it unless it is out of service, and the voice track was unchanged over the years. Some wheels removed the big Zeddy sticker in favour of multiple, small generic stickers.

Zeddy remains used as a baby brand for products such as diapers and baby bath products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zellers.com/content/en/kids/Zeddy/Zeddy.aspx |title=Zeddy |publisher=Zellers |access-date=2011-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927115252/http://www.zellers.com/content/en/kids/Zeddy/Zeddy.aspx |archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref>

During the Festive Finale campaign in 2011, Zeddy was reintroduced in weekly flyers for Zellers Toyland before closing their stores for [[Target Canada|Target]] or [[Walmart Canada|Walmart]]. The character was used as a static picture, but no animated television commercials of him were made during this season. However, some employees decided to wear the Zeddy costume to celebrate the return of this teddy bear. Shortly thereafter, in December 2011, Zellers launched a Zeddy Bucks promotion. Those who spent at least $50 before taxes on toys received a pair of red [[2012 Summer Olympics]] mittens, plus a $10 Zeddy Bucks voucher. This voucher could only be used on a later date.<ref>Zellers December 2011 Flyer.</ref>

With the last Zellers stores set to close in 2013, the Hudson's Bay Company announced in September 2012 that it was looking for a charity organization to adopt Zeddy so that the mascot could live on after Zellers.<ref name="Zeddy contest"/> In a social media ad campaign, ''Zellers Everything Must GO Including Zeddy'', Zeddy was featured in an online video where the mascot was abandoned in the woods by a Zellers executive telling Zeddy that Zellers was liquidating, and everything must go, including him. Organizations were invited to submit on Zellers Facebook page what their plans for Zeddy were.<ref name="Zeddy after Zellers">{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/business/article/1257789--zellers-prepares-to-close-so-what-happens-to-zeddy-the-bear | location=Toronto | work=The Star | title=Zellers prepares to close, so what happens to Zeddy the bear? - thestar.com | date=September 17, 2012 | access-date=September 19, 2017 | archive-date=December 28, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228174129/http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1257789--zellers-prepares-to-close-so-what-happens-to-zeddy-the-bear | url-status=live }}</ref> There were over 30,000 votes, and the final three contenders were Autism Ontario, Camp Trillium and [[Cystic Fibrosis Canada]]. Voters selected Camp Trillium as the winner and chosen adopter. There are several notable Zeddy iterations including most famously, bush pilot Zeddy.<ref name="Camp Trillium">{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1072675/zellers-iconic-mascot-zeddy-finds-new-home-with-camp-trillium|title=Zellers Iconic Mascot Zeddy Finds New Home With Camp Trillium|website=www.newswire.ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120015756/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1072675/zellers-iconic-mascot-zeddy-finds-new-home-with-camp-trillium|archive-date=November 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=16 November 2012|title=National News: Zellers Iconic Mascot Zeddy Finds New Home With Camp Trillium|newspaper=Northumberland View|location=Roseneath ON|url=http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=18633|url-status=dead|access-date=17 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729181726/http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=18633|archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="180px">
File:Zeddy4.jpg|Zeddy, on the far right, is walking in a parade in 2003.
File:Zeddy-Festive-Finale.png|Zeddy appears in the Toyland section of Toyland in November 2011.
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Ontario|Canada}}

Other former discount retailers that once operated in Canada and similar concept as Zellers:

* [[Horizon (store)|Horizon]], a competitor created by the [[Eaton's|T. Eaton Company]] that operated from 1972 to 1978.
* [[Kmart Canada]] opened its first store in 1929 as Kresge and closed Canadian operations in 1998; some of its stores sold to Zellers
* [[Target Canada]]<ref>{{cite web|date=January 15, 2015|title=Target leaving Canada: 'Losing money every day'|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/target-leaving-canada-losing-money-every-day/|website=CTV News|publisher=CTV|access-date=January 17, 2015|archive-date=January 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117082216/http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/target-leaving-canada-losing-money-every-day-1.2189973|url-status=live}}</ref> opened in 2013 after acquiring a number of former Zellers leases (it [[Retail apocalypse|ceased operations]] two years later, in 2015).
* [[Towers Department Stores]] emerged in 1960 and ceased operations in 1991; all stores sold to Zellers 
* [[Woolco]] appeared in the 1960s and closed operations completely in 1994; most stores sold to Walmart, some later acquired by Zellers
* [[Retail apocalypse]]
** [[List of retailers affected by the retail apocalypse]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Zellers}}
*{{Official website}}
*[http://www.hbcheritage.ca/history/acquisitions/zellers Zellers history]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at Hudson's Bay Company website

{{Hudson's_Bay_Trading_Company,_L.P.}}

[[Category:Canadian brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Brampton]]
[[Category:Defunct retail companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Defunct companies of Ontario]]
[[Category:Department stores of Canada]]
[[Category:Hudson's Bay Company]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1931]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:1978 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Retail companies disestablished in 2013]]