Target stores leaving Canada

We all know Target. The huge retail chain sells almost everything, from apples you eat to movies about apples. They are also almost everyplace. However, in a few months, Canada will be Target-less.

In a few months, Target will be closing all of its 133 stores throughout Canada. This follows two years with negative profits in Target stores. This totaled $2 billion, and the amount could be even larger. In addition, it was found out that Target Canada had poor management, which could have caused the losses.

Target Canada has filed for liquidation in court. This will be followed by a $5.4 billion write-off. In addition, due to its employees, which total 17,000+ people, Target also filed a motion in court which would allow the company to put $59 million in an employee trust, and each employee would receive pay and coverage for at least 16 weeks, or four months.

CEO Brian Cornell explained his decision to USA Today: “When I joined Target, I promised our team and shareholders that I would take a hard look at our business and operations in an effort to improve our performance and transform our company. After a thorough review of our Canadian performance and careful consideration of the implications of all options, we were unable to find a realistic scenario that would get Target Canada to profitability until at least 2021.”

Target Canada first entered the country in 2011 after purchasing 200+ locations from Zellers Inc., a liquidation center for Hudson’s Bay Company. They have steadily closed over the four-year period, decreasing from 220 stores to 133 stores.

The move will make Canada sad, and they will soon have to adapt to the changes.