increased as a number of service functions are integrated on a corporate basis.Bay stores are marketed by price level and fashion appeal to fit the location of the communities. The stores vary in size from 21,000 square feet in Banff, Alberta to 890,000 square feet in downtown Toronto. Most suburban stores fall in the 140,000 to 180,000 square feet range.(HBC Annual Report 1998, Pg #18 – The above information is from one source.)The Bay’s objective is to be Canada’s bets fashion department store by offering many varieties of goods and services, value and quality, fashion and trend leadership, a high level of customer service and a guarantee of performance satisfaction.ZELLERS:Zellers is the leading national chain of discount department stores. Zellers is for the budget minded customer with the guarantee of the lower price. Premium values are offered in both national and private brand merchandise that is communicated aggressively with many forms of advertising. Zellers is further distinguished by their Club Z, and Club Z Gold, which are customer loyalty programs.Zellers stores are characterized by central checkout and self service. Zellers markets its own credit card and accepts those of major banks. Sales promotion and merchandising are centrally directed. Zellers operates 298 stores across Canada, mostly in shopping malls. The average store is 80,000 square feet, with new stores in the 90,000 to 125,000 square feet range.(HBC Annual Report 1998, Pg #24 – The above information is from one source.)Zellers goal is to lower the cost of living for ordinary Canadians by providing its customers with exceptional value.ACQUISITION OF KMART CANADA CO.:The acquisition of Kmart Canada Company was completed on February 27, 1998. The 112 Kmart stores were combined with the 298 Zellers stores, enabling the two managements to merge as one.A review of the 410 stores was done to evaluate the stores based on the locati...
