Target to open 17 new stores in Ontario

Target's expansion into Canada is continuing in big way over the next two weeks as the American retailer opens 21 new stores in Ontario.

On Tuesday, Target is opening 17 stores in various communities across the province, while four more will be opened on March 28, adding to the three pilot stores launched earlier in Guelph, Milton and Fergus, Ont.

Overall, Target plans to open 124 stores across Canada throughout 2013.

"The soft openings follow the launch of three pilot stores and will allow Target to continue to engage in volume testing to ensure stores are prepared to deliver the true Target brand experience to guests ahead of grand opening in early April," the company said in a release.

Minneapolis-based Target Corporationoperates almost 1,800 stores in the United States in addition to its new Canadian stores, many of which are at being set up at locations formerly occupied by Zellers stores.