Zellers, a discount department store with a storied history, has experienced multiple relaunches over its nearly century-long existence. Currently, its new owners are focused on revitalizing the brand and expanding its footprint across Canada.
Key Milestones in Zellers’ History
- 1928: Walter Philip Zeller opens the first store in Waterloo, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, it is acquired by Schulte-United Ltd.
- 1931: Schulte-United goes bankrupt, prompting Zeller to repurchase the stores.
- 1954: Zeller sells a 50% stake to W.T. Grant Co., an American retailer.
- 1957: Walter Zeller passes away, leaving the company in transition.
- 1976: W.T. Grant files for bankruptcy; Fields Stores Ltd. gains control of Zellers.
- 1978: The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) acquires a majority stake in Zellers.
- 1981: HBC purchases all remaining shares of Zellers.
- 1990: Zellers acquires Towers, which is known as Bonimart in Quebec.
- 1998: HBC buys Kmart and plans to rebrand those stores as Zellers.
- 2008: Richard Baker’s National Realty and Development Corp. purchases HBC.
- 2011: HBC begins selling off Zellers leases to Target Corp., a strategy to capitalize on its real estate holdings.
- 2013: Many Zellers locations close, leaving only a few liquidation stores.
- 2020: The last Zellers outlets shut down, marking the end of an era.
- 2021: HBC initiates legal action against the Moniz family over trademark infringement related to Zellers.
- 2023: The Zellers brand is revived through pop-up stores in various locations.
- Future Plans: Looking ahead to March 2025, HBC may file for creditor protection. In August 2025, it plans to sell Zellers trademarks to Les Ailes de la Mode. Following this, the first new Zellers store is set to open in Edmonton.
The Future of Zellers
With a new strategy in place, Les Ailes de la Mode aims to breathe new life into Zellers. As part of their future expansion, they expect to open additional stores in Toronto and Windsor by mid-2026.
As Zellers navigates its renewed journey, it aims to capture the essence of its rich history while forging a path for future growth across the Canadian retail landscape.
