Sears Canada Opening Business Services Centre in Saint John
SAINT JOHN – Sears Canada is opening a business services centre in Saint John this spring.
The provincial government says the centre will create 350 new jobs. Combined with Wednesday’s announcement of a similar centre in Edmundston, they say the company is adding 530 jobs in New Brunswick.
The jobs at the Saint John centre will include business services agents, team leads, information technology support, human resources personnel, administrative support and managers. Recruitment and training will begin in early March, with the centre scheduled to begin taking calls this spring.
Sears Canada has been struggling in recent years. Brandon G. Stranzl, executive chairman of Sears Canada, says the company is in the process of a “major reinvention.”
“Sears Canada is turning its approach to retail inside out. We are in the process of a major reinvention of our brand and what it means for our customers,” said Stranzl, in a news release.
“We are making significant investments in technology and customer loyalty. Why? Because our customers will always remember how we made them feel, and if we make them feel great, they will become lifetime customers. We will bring amazing products at amazing prices, and when customers use their products or speak with us, whether in person, on the phone, or on email or chat, we want to bring amazing experiences, emotions, stories, and memories to their lives. By creating these emotional connections, we will build lifelong relationships with customers.”
Opportunities NB, which worked with Sears Canada to choose a location for the Saint John centre, will give $4.3 million through a combination of payroll rebates and loans. The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will provide $894,000 through the One Job Pledge initiative. The provincial government estimates these 350 new jobs will increase the provincial GDP by $17.4 million annually.