The Zellers store in the south end of this community is among the first stores that Target will be taking over when it takes on the leases of properties from Hudson Bay Company.
Target said on May 26 it is buying for $1.8-billion the store leases of Canadian discount retail chain Zellers from the U.S. Investor who owns the Hudson’s Bay Co. assets.
The Minneapolis-based Target will acquire the leasehold interests of 220 Zellers locations in Canada.
The Zellers in Fergus is one of the first 100 to 150 stores that will be converted to Target.
Freda Colbourne, a spokesman for HBC, said on Monday the stores will be closed sometime in 2012 for renovations and start their lives as Target stores in 2013. In the meantime, they will continue to operate as Zellers.
As for the employees, Colbourne said Target usually hires more people per store than Zellers does, and staff will be offered jobs. She said Target would invite job applications and would likely make staffing decisions during renovations.
Meanwhile, many customers entering Zellers the day after the announcement had heard about the switch.
“I did hear that,” said Kathy Hoomde, who said she is from “Brampton and Fergus.”
She said, “Zellers is Canadian. Now it’s going American.” She added, “And we’re going to get Walmart, too. What’s going to happen when Walmart comes?”
Elora resident Suzanne Slade said, “Zellers has been around for a long, long time. I’d rather have a Canadian store than an American store.”
Gloria Shultz, of Waterloo, and Betty Collins, of Fergus, also liked the local Zellers.
Collins said, “I’ve been in Target stores and I like them. But Zellers is Canadian.”
Shultz added, “I don’t know Target stores at all. We’re getting more American stores here.”
Target stores are well known in the United States for providing higher fashions for a lower price, using their own line of designers.
Colbourne said when it comes to clothing people might notice a difference, but Target will offer housewares with which they are familiar.
Those interviewed noted that while the store might be run by Americans, it will be Canadians working in it.
