Zellers returns to Canada with plans for a nationwide revival

Zellers has reopened under new ownership with a single store at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton and says it plans a phased, nationwide expansion; the revived brand will use smaller standalone stores and focus on apparel, accessories, home and seasonal categories.

Zellers has returned as a standalone company under new owners and currently operates one store inside Londonderry Mall in Edmonton. The company describes this phase as "Zellers 3.0" and says it plans a phased, nationwide rollout to reach major Canadian markets. The new owners acquired the brand from the now-defunct Hudson's Bay Company, and the concept will use smaller-format stores than the large department stores of the past. The company reported enthusiastic customer response at its first store, which opened on Oct. 30. Key details: - One operating store: the first Zellers location is inside Londonderry Mall in Edmonton. - Ownership change: Les Ailes de la Mode Inc., owned by the Benitah family, purchased the Zellers brand from Hudson's Bay Company. - Historical context: Zellers grew to about 350 stores at its peak in the 1990s and most locations were closed after lease sales and shutdowns in the 2010s and 2020s. - New store format: planned locations are smaller than earlier department stores, roughly 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. - Product focus: the company plans to emphasize apparel, accessories, home goods and seasonal/specialty items. - Early reception: the company said opening-day traffic and subsequent customer feedback have been positive and sales have exceeded internal targets. Summary: The revived Zellers is positioning itself as a smaller-format retailer with plans to expand across Canada over multiple phases. Specific market-by-market openings and a detailed rollout timeline are undetermined at this time.