With the news that U.S.-based retailer Target would close the doors to its 133 Canadian locations, a chorus of shoppers north of the border took to Twitter to voice their opinions about the failed expansion – and call for the return of another retailer that once held a foothold across the country.
While many expressed disappointment in Target leaving Canada, there wasn’t much surprise: Shoppers long complained about a lack of stock on store shelves, and the fact locations didn’t carry the same products as the U.S. locations.
A chorus of voices also sprang up calling for the return of Zellers, the stores that the U.S. retailer took over when it expanded into Canada just two years ago.
Target acquired the leaseholds for 189 Canadian Zellers locations in 2012, at a cost of just over $1.8-billion. Hudson’s Bay Company, the parent company of Zellers, said keeping the mass merchandise discount stores open wasn’t financially viable. It had been mulling closing the stores for almost a decade by the time Target made its offer.
While 133 of those Zellers stores were converted into Targets, the dozens of other remaining stores shuttered their operations – which left thousands out of work.
On Thursday, Twitter users speculated what would happen to those same retail locations now that another major retailer is closing up shop – saying its exit would leave a major hole in the Canadian retail landscape.
How do you feel about the closure of Canadian Target stores? Would you want Zellers back?
Nice knowing you, #Target in Canada (aka Tar-zhay). Bring back Zellers. #fail
— Mike Keval Brooker (@patria1818) January 15, 2015
#Target is changing their trajectory and closing all of its Canadian stores. I miss #Zellers. Bring back Zellers!
— Dan Lauckner (@vidman) January 15, 2015
Target Canada is closing all its stores? Bring back Zellers! Or better yet...Woolco. Damn, I miss Woolco.
— Tony (@tony_kiritsis) January 15, 2015
The War of 1812 lasted longer than Target did in Canada.
— Jesse Taylor (@jtwpg) January 15, 2015
Target is leaving Canada. That was quick. I still miss Zellers!!!
— Kris Sims (@kris_sims) January 15, 2015
Lets be honest.Target Canada came off a s a Zellers with a makeover...#pigwithlipstick
— DeAnimator (@deedalovesbeeba) January 15, 2015
Target didn't last nearly as long as Zellers.
— Andrew Foote (@amkfoote) January 15, 2015
Lmao, Zellers was bum, but Target is even bummer.
— dumb. (@temallysauce) January 15, 2015
Nice knowing you, #Target in Canada (aka Tar-zhay). Bring back Zellers. #fail
— Mike Keval Brooker (@patria1818) January 15, 2015
Thanks Target for shuttering my local Zellers, laying off my neighbours, and leaving the property vacant for over a year, for this epic fail
— jodie simpson (@JodiesJumpsuit) January 15, 2015
I never understood the excitement around target coming to Canada. Even US locations were basically Zellers. Sorry for those losing jobs.
— Mark Harding Boulter (@markboulter) January 15, 2015
If anyone is happy over the demise of Target in Canada, this guy is. #ZellersRises @TargetCanada #Zellers pic.twitter.com/BFjQSv5XED
— Sean Joudry (@seanjoudry) January 15, 2015
Target closing Canadian stores. That was quick.
— RiverdaleBoy (@RiverdaleBoy) January 15, 2015
So long Target we hardly knew ya. This doesn't mean Zellers is coming back does it? Anything but Zellers
— TORHABSFAN (@TORHABSFAN) January 15, 2015
Somewhere, after hearing of the @TargetCanada shut down, Zeddy the bear is doing a bit of a happy dance. #target #zellers
— Andy Campbell (@fredcityandy) January 15, 2015
target is closing. noooooooo
— Taylor Risteen (@taylorristeen) January 15, 2015
Target is closing all its stores in Canada. Our local store was actually pretty good at stocking. Bummer.
— Karen Ballum (@sassymonkey) January 15, 2015
Oh no! I just heard Target is closing all their Canadian stores. I can't go back to Walmart :(
— Rebecca Cuneo Keenan (@rebeccakeenan) January 15, 2015
If the Target closing sales are anything like the Zellers closing sales, I'll be all set for tube socks and shampoo til 2020.
— Luke (@tealuke) January 15, 2015
@CTVVancouver @darcynews Yes please. Bring back those dirty stores with a horrible selection. Instead of the cleans store with no selection
— Chris Topher (@RallyMD) January 15, 2015
No one will ever replace #zellers in my heart http://t.co/HPbBEeb1D4
— Jillian Tate (@jilliantate) January 15, 2015