A look back at the history of Zellers
Zellers has experienced a tumultuous history since its founding in 1928, marked by multiple ownership changes and bankruptcies. The brand is currently under new ownership and has recently relaunched with plans for national expansion. As Zellers looks to the future, it aims to revive its presence in the Canadian retail market.
- ▪Zellers was founded in 1928 by Walter Philip Zeller in Waterloo, Ontario.
- ▪The brand has gone through several ownership changes, including being bought by Hudson's Bay Co. in 1978.
- ▪Zellers is currently being relaunched with pop-up stores and plans for further expansion across Canada.
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| Original publisher | The Globe and Mail |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-zellers-canada-history-closures-relaunch-2026/ |
| Publication time | Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:50:58 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-06-03T14:02:09.177Z |
| Last seen | 2026-06-03T14:02:09.177Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Open this photo in gallery:Zellers' current owners are less than a year into their relaunch but say they have national expansion plans.JASON FRANSON/The Canadian PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountIn the almost 100 years since Zellers was founded, the discount department store has died and been revived several times. Its current owners are less than a year into their relaunch but say they have national expansion plans. Here’s a look at the history of Zellers:1928: Waterloo, Ont., entrepreneur Walter Philip Zeller opens the first Zellers department store, but it is bought by American firm Schulte-United Ltd.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Globe and Mail.
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