Target Canada announces 16 store closures across Canada next week as it winds down operations

Target says it will shut 16 stores across Canada next week, the first wave of store closures that will eliminate 17,000 jobs when all Target Canada stores are closed.

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said Friday that employees at each store will be notified about 10 days before the final day of business at their location.

Target Corp. announced in January that it would close all 133 Canadian stores, saying it would take years to turn a profit.

The company took over old Zellers locations and began to open under the Target banner in Canada in March 2013.

Target faced costly retail regulations in Canada. And it failed to win over Canadians who mostly live near the U.S. border, compare prices religiously and are willing to travel to save money.