Target names Canadian locations, including 45 in Ontario

Target Corp. put its big red bulls-eye on the first 105 Zellers locations – including 45 in Ontario – that it plans to take over with an eye to converting them into Target stores.

The U.S. department store retailer said Thursday the "vast majority" of the locations will become Target stores and begin opening in 2013 after extensive renovations.

"We are thrilled to share these first details about our planned entry into Canada," Target Canada president Tony Fisher said in a statement.

"We are excited that these initial store sites ensure Target will be represented throughout the country."

Target said the chosen locations will continue to operate as Zellers stores before closing for six to nine months and reopening as Target stores after some significant remodelling.

Target also announced it will establish a Canadian headquarters in Mississauga. The retailer has signed a deal for 180,000 square-feet of office space that will be occupied in early 2012 after some remodelling.

Target said it plans to spend about $10 million on each store to renovate and remodel the location before opening.

Each store in Canada is expected to employ 150 to 200 people.

Target, based in Minneapolis, has 1,755 stores in 49 states.

Full list of Ontario locations

Ajax: Durham Centre

Aurora: Aurora Shopping Centre

Brampton: Bramalea City Centre, Shoppers World Brampton, Trinity Common

Burlington: Burlington Mall, Millcroft Centre

Cambridge: Cambridge Centre

Etobicoke: Woodbine Centre

Fergus: Gates of Fergus

Guelph: 175 Stone Road W.

Hamilton: Centre Mall, South Hamilton Square

Kanata: Hazeldean Mall

Kingston: Cataraqui Town Centre

Lindsay: Lindsay Square Mall

London: Masonville Place, Westmount Shopping Centre

Milton: Milton Mall Shopping Centre

Mississauga: Erin Mills Town Centre, Square One

Nepean: Meadowlands Shopping Centre

Newmarket: Upper Canada Mall

North Bay: 1899 Algonquin Ave.

North York: Centerpoint Mall

Orillia: Orillia Square Mall

Orleans: Place D’Orleans

Oshawa: Five Points Mall

Ottawa: Bayshore Shopping Centre, Billings Bridge Plaza, RioCan St. Laurent

Richmond Hill: Hillcrest Mall

Scarborough: Bridlewood Mall

Smiths Falls: County Fair Mall

St. Catharines: Niagara Pen Centre

Stratford: Stratford Mall

Sudbury: Sudbury Supermall

Thunder Bay: Intercity Shopping Centre

Toronto: Cloverdale Mall, Shoppers World Danforth, East York Town Centre

Waterdown: Flamborough Power Centre

Waterloo: Conestoga Mall

Whitby: Taunton Gardens Power Centre

Windsor: Devonshire Mall