Zellers in Abbotsford will close on Feb. 11, 2013.
Shortly after, the location, at 1225 Sumas Way, will reopen as a Target.
Tiffany Bourne, external communications manager for the Hudson’s Bay Company – owners of Zellers – said the Abbotsford staff were notified about the closure on Thursday.
While she would not confirm how many people would be impacted by the change, Bourne did say the average Zellers has approximately 100 staff members. She also noted that staff have been given more than eight months notice of the closure and Zellers offers a career transition program to help employees find new work.
Lisa Gibson, who works for Target in public relations, stated in an email that the company is “encouraging Zellers employees” to visit the website to apply for jobs.
The new Abbotsford store will employ approximately 150-200 staff and hiring will begin in 2013. Anyone interested in working for Target is encouraged to visit www.Target.ca/careers to learn more about job opportunities.
Target plans to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada, the majority of which will open in 2013.
Approximately $10 million to $11 million will be invested to remodel each facility.
In all, 18 Target stores will open in B.C. in early 2013, eight of them in the Lower Mainland, including Abbotsford. The other Lower Mainland locations are Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge and Surrey.