Hudson’s Bay to shutter last 2 Zellers stores in Toronto and Ottawa

TORONTO — Hudson’s Bay Co. says it will close the last two Zellers locations at the start of next year.

A spokeswoman for the retailer says the company will close the Toronto and Ottawa stores in January.

Tiffany Bourre says the move comes after careful consideration, and that the company regularly evaluates store performance and other factors, which sometimes leads to closures.

She did not say how many employees work at the two locations, but says eligible employees will receive employment separation packages and the company will explore transfer opportunities where it is feasible.

Zellers opened its doors in 1932 with a dozen stores in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

HBC became the sole owner of Zellers in 1978, but in 2011, the company reached a roughly $1.8-billion deal to sell the leases of 189 Zellers stores to Target and close the remainder — save for three locations — by March 2013.

Companies in this story: (TSX:HBC)

The Canadian Press