Cambridge could be the next Canadian city to get a Zellers store. The company’s public relations team would not confirm if it was coming to the city, but rumours have been circling since the store’s distinctive red paint was spotted at the former Hudson’s Bay location inside the Cambridge Centre Mall. Job postings for an assistant manager and key holder were also listed on Indeed.com. The first Zellers store opened in Edmonton last year, followed by another in North York this summer. A third store, in Windsor, has been delayed due to issues with building permits. “It’s a much tighter assortment [of products]. The price points are probably a little lower in some cases, but pretty low for today’s standards,” said Bruce Winder, a retail analyst. “They’re owned by the same company that owns International Clothiers. So, you see a number a lot of merchandise from that genre, that that price point, in the new Zellers stores. Having said that, it’s a really nice store. I went to the one in Toronto and it really looks good. It’s good for people who are looking to save money, like $10, $15 for a t-shirt or something.” The store doesn’t have as many departments as it did in the 1990’s. Instead, Winder said it focuses mostly on apparel and soft home – but it doesn’t forget its Canadian roots. “There is a feeling of nostalgia for it,” Winder explained. “Right now, particularly with Gen Z consumers, there’s a massive appeal toward 90s nostalgia. I think some people may give it a look-see for that reason alone.” “You have to have great product at great prices” But nostalgia only goes so far. Winder said the value Zellers offers will determine its success. “Nostalgia will get you a little bit, but it’s not enough for a viable business, if you’re selling merchandise,” he explained. “You have to have value. You have to have great product at great prices. And I think there’s a chance for Zellers to succeed. I think they do have some good value, particularly if you’re really watching your money, and you have a family, and you’re looking for something very economical, but still pleasant to look at in terms of apparel and home.” Zellers has some big competition, like Walmart, Giant Tiger and Amazon. But Winder believes there could be room in the market for a store like Zellers. “This is the time. One could argue now that you’ve got Walmart there, you’ve got Giant Tiger who does a nice job as well in some stores, but one could argue that there might be enough room because it’s probably a growing area,” he said, adding, “But it’s not an easy area to compete. I mean, Walmart is massive. Amazon is no slouch as it relates to lower price point products as well. So, it’s not a slam dunk. But I think it’s smart that management is very carefully expanding. They’re not opening up 150 stores overnight.” While a new location at the Cambridge Centre hasn’t been confirmed, Winder thinks it will likely take up the entire space where Hudson’s Bay used to be.
