Zellers plans to make a comeback next year and we’re feeling nostalgic

Canadians rejoice!

The iconic department store Zellers is planning to make a comeback next year.

Hudson’s Bay Company said Zellers will debut a new e-commerce website and expand its brick-and-mortar footprint within select Hudson’s Bay department stores across the country in early 2023.

In a media release, the company said the relaunched Zellers will offer “a digital-first shopping journey that taps into the nostalgia of the brand.”

The Zellers website is live with a short message to Canadians confirming the news.

A message on the website read “Yep, it’s true. See you soon!”

Early offerings will span home décor, furniture, small appliances, toys and pet accessories. Stock will expand over the course of the year to eventually include apparel.

“Zellers is a brand deeply rooted in the Canadian experience. Spanning generations, people hold distinct connections to Zellers through shared experiences with family and friends, and we look forward to building on that in the future,” said Adam Powell, Zellers’ Chief Business Officer.

“‘Where the lowest price is the law’ was a calling card, which has helped Zellers establish itself as more than a retail destination, but a place to build and support community,” he said.

Most Zellers locations closed about a decade ago when Walmart became the go-to discount brand in Canada. Target replaced many of the locations but had a very short life span.

Zellers was founded by Walter Zeller in 1931 and was acquired by Hudson’s Bay in 1978. In its heydays in the ’90s, there were more than 300 stores across Canada.

The Zellers relaunch is expected to happen across Canada within existing Hudson’s Bay stores in early 2023.