The Canadian retail chain Zellers marked its official return on Thursday, with the opening of a dozen stores in Ontario and Alberta and a new website.
The relaunch of the popular low-rise department store comes amid a wave of nostalgia for the brand and growing demand for affordable products amid skyrocketing inflation.
The company plans to open a total of 25 stores.
The 10,000 square foot stores will be located within Hudson’s Bay department stores and will feature an assortment of private label products including apparel, toys, and home and homewares.
A Hudson’s Bay Company spokeswoman, Tiffany Bourré, explained that the products were exclusive to Zellers and that there was no crossover of products with Hudson’s Bay stores.
The company also launched a new Zellers e-commerce site, with all online and in-store items featuring “rounded” prices, such as $5.00 instead of $4.99 or $5.49.
Ms. Bourré argued that it was about giving customers a “simplified and easy” shopping experience with low prices and quality products.
Zellers’ relaunch comes a decade after most of its stores closed.
Canadians these days are seeking relief from the highest inflation in nearly 40 years, and the return of Zellers will provide more competition in a low-cost market largely dominated by Walmart, Giant Tiger and Dollarama.
The retailer’s resurrection also taps into nostalgia for the Zellers brand, evoking memories of its popular restaurant and teddy bear mascot named Zeddy.
Although the footprint of new Zellers stores — within existing department stores in Hudson’s Bay — won’t be able to accommodate a restaurant, the company will have food trucks in select locations, offering the best items on the menu, explained Mrs. Bourre.
The five menu items are the Big “Z” Burger, Hot Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Fingers, and Fries with Gravy.
The channel’s mascot Zeddy is also expected to return soon, Bourré said.
The mascot was adopted by a charity after Zellers ended operations, she explained.
“Zeddy has been on active duty since Zellers closed,” she said. He works hard behind the scenes. »
The store hopes to bring Zeddy back to stores soon with a charity component, Bourré said.
