By Katie Schneider,Calgary Sun

Target is taking aim at Calgary for the site of a 1.3 million sq. ft. distribution centre.

The American retail giant is planning to open the distribution centre, its third in the country, on about 80 acres in Balzac, said spokeswoman Molly Snyder.

“Target has selected sites for its distribution centres that will help to ensure that our supply chain needs are met for our Canadian stores,” she said.

Target, which last January announced a deal to buy the lease rights to up to 220 Zellers locations for $1.8 billion, has so far selected 189 sites.

The chain plans to open 125 to 135 stores across Canada beginning in 2013, including six in Calgary — at Sunridge Mall, Forest Lawn, Signal Hill, Chinook Centre, Market Mall and Shoppes at Shawnessy.

The first Canadian stores of the Minneapolis-based chain will open in March or early April 2013 and the distribution centres will be finished in time to support them, Snyder said.

Eleven Points Logistics will manage the centre including all recruitment and hiring, Snyder said.

On Thursday, the retailer, announced the first 24 stores in Canada will be located in Ontario.

Target officials have said about $10 million to $11 million will be invested to renovate each store.

Store team hiring will begin in 2012.

katie.schneider@sunmedia.ca

On Twitter: @SUNkschneider

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/06/target-sets-sights-on-balzac