Zellers is back to Canada, nostalgia 101

A dozen new locations in Ontario and Alberta, as well as a new website, were opened on Thursday to mark the official return of the Canadian retail giant Zellers. A “bring back memories” situation for Canadians while the prices might not be the same as back in the days.

The department shops within Hudson’s Bay will house the 10,000 square foot stores, which will provide a variety of private-label goods, including apparel, toys, and home and lifestyle things. Also, the company has unveiled a new Zellers e-commerce website, where all products are priced “rounded”; for instance, $5 is displayed instead of $4.99 or $5.49 for both online and in-store purchases.

READ MORE: Alcoholic beverages to get more expansive in Canada

Nostalgia a decade after beloved Canadian store closed

A decade after closing the majority of its stores, Zellers is relaunching.
It happens to come at a time when Canadians are looking for respite from the greatest inflation in over 40 years, adding extra competition to a discount market that is mostly dominated by names like Walmart, Giant Tiger, and Dollarama. Perhaps Zellers has what those three discount markets don’t have, Nostalgia effect! The retailer’s resurgence also appeals to the nostalgic side of the Zellers brand by conjuring images of its well-known diner and its teddy bear mascot Zeddy.

Zellers this time will not have the space to accommodate a diner in its newly opened stores, instead, many stores will have food trucks to offer some of the beloved food items.

Zeddy, the chain’s mascot, is anticipated to make a comeback shortly. He may have stirred up some of the strongest sentiments in some former customers.

READ MORE: Not an April fools joke: Canada is raising minimum wage on April 01

Zellers new 25 locations