In Canada, the classic department store is a dying breed, with most of the big companies having closed their doors. The remaining stores generally offer a selection of clothing, makeup and jewelry, household goods, basic automotive needs, furniture, and seasonal specials. They often offer points or reward programs and their own credit card systems. These are some of the larger department stores in Toronto:
- The Bay
Canada’s oldest department store, the Bay has specialized in fashion and accessories since 1881, and sells items at a mid to high price range. There are 2 main locations in Toronto: one at 44 Bloor Street, and a flagship store in Eaton Centre, at 176 Yonge Street. - Sears
Started as a mail-order company, Sears now operates a large number of big box department stores that specialize in fashions at mid-range prices. Locations can be found in most Toronto shopping malls, and many shopping centres in surrounding townships. - Walmart
An American retail company that has many locations throughout Canada, shoppers at Walmart can find low to mid-range fashions, appliances, tools, and accessories that won’t hit too hard in the wallet. There are two Walmart locations in Toronto, one at 2525 St. Clair Ave. West, and one in the Dufferin Mall, at 900 Dufferin Street. - Zellers
Zellers is the largest Canadian-run chain of department stores in the country, specializing in mid-to-low price fashion, appliances, electronics, tools, accessories, and food items. There are six locations in Toronto: The Cloverdale Mall, East York Town Centre, Galleria Shopping Centre, Gerard Square, High Park, and Shopper’s World.
Shopping Malls
Toronto has hundreds of shopping malls. Here is a list of some of the more popular destinations.
- Bayview Shopping Centre
One of the city’s more upscale malls, this centre focuses on home decor and fashion. - Cloverdale Shopping Centre
Another upscale mall that contains most major fashion chains. - Don Mills Shopping Centre
Servicing the Don Mills area, in North York, this mall contains many big block stores, and specializes in electronics and home decor. - Dufferin Mall
Located in central Toronto, this mall features low to mid-priced fare, and houses Toronto’s only Walmart. - Eaton Centre
In the heart of downtown, this is a one-stop shop for most shopping needs. - Fairview Mall
An upscale mall that caters to the fashion crowd. - Galleria Shopping Centre
A small mall that features mostly low-to-mid priced merchandise. - Scarborough Town Centre
This mall services most of the Scarborough area, and carries a huge variety of shops that cover the gamut of price and need. - Sherway Gardens
A mid-sized mall that mostly deals in department store items and low-priced fashion and accessories. - Yorkdale Shopping Centre
A large mall on the west end of the city that houses most big block stores.
