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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Zellers

Zellers Memory Showcase: Locked Away (Sponsored Video)

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There’s no use denying it – Zellers is leaving us. In just a few short months, the stores will be gutted and re-branded to a “huge American retailer that shall remain nameless”… oh sod it, Target is coming to Canada (as if you don’t already know).

A few weeks ago, I shared the Zellers Memory Showcase Facebook tab. Simply submit a fond memory at Zellers, and if it’s one of the lucky anecdotes brought to life EMD-style, you’ll also receive a $250 Zellers gift card.

Here’s just one of the hilarious videos from the re-enactment gallery –  who hasn’t trembled at the thought of being locked in a changing room? (Though girlfriend in the video is ug-ly… probably best to have left her in.)

Don’t forget to check out the other videos featured on the tab – they’re quite the chuckle. And while you’re there, be sure to grab the coupon for $10 off $40 or more on Women’s, Men’s and Kid’s apparel, sleepwear and accessories!

Zellers, it’s been real. Thanks for the many memories!

This post is sponsored by Zellers. All opinions are my own.

Win $250 from Zellers! (Sponsored Video)

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Thought the HIGH-larious videos from Zellers were over? Nope! And I, for one, am happy to see the chuckles roll on!

Once again, rather than avoid the subject, the company is actively participating in its transition by reaching out to customers via social media. This time, the Executive Managing Director of Zellers is back, and he’s reenacting Canada’s fondest, funniest and most fantastic Zellers memories.

I too have a fond Zellers memory: about two years ago, while attending my first (and last) “Moonlight Madness“, a little boy came up to me and tugged on the sleeve of my jacket. Glancing down, I put on my most pleasant face and said “Hello!” in a sing-song voice. He leaned in really close and said “These people are cra-zy” and did the twirly thing with his finger around the side of his head. I laughed, but when I looked around, realized that we truly were surrounded by crazies; people piling their carts full of pillows, grabbing canned peas like we were in a war-torn country, and elbowing each other for under-the-bed organizers. (One lady had eight – how many beds could she possibly have?) I had a good giggle with this strange 6 year old and remembered to stay far away from shopaholic shame.

Do you have a fond memory involving Zellers? Share your story in the Zellers Memory Showcase tab on their Facebook page. If it’s one of the lucky anecdotes brought to life EMD-style, you’ll also receive a $250 Zellers gift card!

Good luck – and while you’re there, be sure to grab the coupon for $10 off $40 or more on Women’s, Men’s and Kid’s apparel, sleepwear and accessories!

Zellers: A Festive Finale (and a Good Chuckle, too!)

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I’m sure you’ve seen the HIGH-larious Zellers video making the rounds on your favourite blogs – you know, the one poking fun at its inevitable demise? Of course I wanted to share it with my readers as well. Now since it’s no secret that I have a love affair with the “huge American retailer that shall remain nameless”… I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised that Zellers has taken the high road. Much respect to them, actually.

Before I ramble on, here’s the video:

Quite the laugh, no? But beyond the chuckles, I love that Zellers, rather than avoiding the subject, is actively participating in its transition by reaching out to customers via social media. Too many times a company throws in the towel – especially when they know the clock is ticking – and forgets about their customers altogether. Yes, I assumed Zellers would be in this camp.

It’s actually quite awesome that they’re proving me wrong.

Here’s how you can make the most of their festive finale: Head on over to Zellers on Facebook. You’ll be able to do everything from setting the sale prices of merchandise to picking the in-store music playlist (I vote for Backstreet Boys on repeat!). Facebook fans will also have access to exclusive offers and deals – like the $15 off coupon I snagged last week :)

For real – this campaign is already more memorable than anything Zellers has offered to date. Such a shame we won’t get to see more… but I suppose that’s why its called “Going Out with a BANG!”

And, bonus points for incorporating wolves into the message. Bahaha!

Click here to visit Zellers on Facebook.

This post is sponsored by Zellers.

Target Releases List of First Stores in Canada!

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Yesterday Target released a list of 105 Zellers stores that will be converted in the first phase of the Canadian rollout. You can bet I quickly did a “Control F” to see if Erin Mills Town Centre and Square One Mississauga are on that list… and they are!!!

Here’s the full list courtesy of The Winnipeg Press:

British Columbia

Abbotsford Power Centre, Abbotsford; Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby; Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre, Campbell River; Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack; Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam; Driftwood Mall, Courtenay; Tamarack Mall, Cranbrook; Scottsdale Mall, Delta; Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Langley; Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge; Nanaimo North Town Centre, Nanaimo; Pine Centre, Prince George; Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver; Village Green Mall, Vernon; Tillicum Mall, Victoria.

Alberta

Chinook Centre, Calgary; Forest Lawn Shopping Centre, Calgary; Market Mall, Calgary; Shoppes at Shawnessy, Calgary; Signal Hill Centre, Calgary; Sunridge Mall, Calgary; Bonnie Doon, Edmonton; Kingsway Garden Mall, Edmonton; Mill Woods Town Centre, Edmonton; Prairie Mall, Grande Prairie; Bower Place, Red Deer; St. Albert Centre, St. Albert; Sherwood Park Mall, Sherwood Park.

Saskatchewan

Northgate Mall, Regina; The Centre, Saskatoon.

Manitoba

Shoppers Mall, Brandon; Grant Park, Winnipeg; Kildonan Place Shopping Centre, Winnipeg; Polo Park Shopping Centre, Winnipeg; Southdale Centre, Winnipeg.

Ontario

Durham Centre, Ajax; Aurora Shopping Centre, Aurora; Bramalea City Centre, Brampton; Shoppers World Brampton, Brampton; Trinity Common, Brampton; Burlington Mall, Burlington; Millcroft Centre, Burlington; Cambridge Centre, Cambridge; Woodbine Centre, Etobicoke; Gates of Fergus, Fergus; 175 Stone Road W., Guelph; Centre Mall, Hamilton; South Hamilton Square, Hamilton; Hazeldean Mall, Kanata; Cataraqui Town Centre, Kingston; Lindsay Square Mall, Lindsay; Masonville Place, London; Westmount Shopping Centre, London; Milton Mall Shopping Centre, Milton; Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga; Square One, Mississauga; Meadowlands Shopping Centre, Nepean; Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket; 1899 Algonquin Ave., North Bay; Centerpoint Mall, North York; Orillia Square Mall, Orillia; Place D’Orleans, Orleans; Five Points Mall, Oshawa; Bayshore Shopping Centre, Ottawa; Billings Bridge Plaza, Ottawa; RioCan St. Laurent, Ottawa; Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill; Bridlewood Mall, Scarborough; County Fair Mall, Smiths Falls; Niagara Pen Centre, St. Catharines; Stratford Mall, Stratford; Sudbury Supermall, Sudbury; Intercity Shopping Centre, Thunder Bay; Cloverdale Mall, Toronto; Shoppers World Danforth, Toronto; East York Town Centre, Toronto; Flamborough Power Centre, Waterdown; Conestoga Mall, Waterloo; Taunton Gardens Power Centre, Whitby; Devonshire Mall, Windsor.

Quebec

Galeries d’Anjou, Anjou; Faubourg Boisbriand, Boisbriand; Carrefour Angrignon, Lasalle; Mega Centre Notre-Dame, Laval; Galeries Chagnon , Levis; Place Longueuil, Longueuil; Place Alexis Nihon, Montreal; Place Vertu, Montreal; Terrarium Shopping Centre, Pointe Claire; Les Galeries De La Capitale, Quebec City; Place Fleur De Lys, Quebec City; Place Laurier, Quebec; Le Carrefour Rimouski, Rimouski; Promenades Saint-Bruno, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville; Carrefour Saint-Georges, Saint-Georges; Carrefour Richelieu, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu; Carrefour du Nord, Saint Jerome; Carrefour de L’Estrie, Sherbrooke; Les Rivieres Shopping Centre, Trois Rivieres

Maritimes

McAllister Place, Saint John; Charlottetown Mall, Charlottetown; Bedford Place, Bedford; Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth; Corner Brook, Corner Brook; Cabot Square, St. John’s.

Woot!

In more super awesome local news, Target also announced it will establish a Canadian headquarters in Mississauga. They’ve signed a deal for 180,000 square-feet of office space that will be occupied in early 2012. Hmm… perhaps I can apply for a job? How about chief buyer? Ha!

(Target plans to spend about $10 million on each store to renovate and remodel the former Zellers location before opening. Each store is expected to employ 150 to 200 people.)

BEST News Ever: Target’s Coming to Canada!

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“Target has agreed to buy leases for 220 Zellers retail sites for $1.82 billion, paving the way for the U.S. retail giant to open its first stores in Canada by 2013.

Target, expanding outside of the U.S. for the first time, expects to open 100 to 150 stores throughout Canada in 2013 and 2014. This will provide an initial foundation for a more “robust” presence over time, the company said in a statement.

The expansion will create thousands of jobs in Canada, initially in the construction industry through renovation works, and eventually in the stores themselves, it said. A typical U.S. store employs between 150 to 200 people, meaning tens of thousands of jobs will be created, it said.

“We are very excited to bring our broad assortment of unique, high-quality merchandise at exceptional values, and our convenient shopping environment to Canadian guests coast to coast,” said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Target Corporation.

Foreign retail giants are showing increasing interest in Canada’s retail market, attracted by a robust economy and stable financial system.

Target says its arrival will benefit the areas in which it operates as the company has a commitment to donate more than 5% of its income to support local initiatives.”

Source: Toronto Sun

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA HEY HEY HEY… GOODBYE ZELLERS!