Eighteen Target stores will open in B.C. in early 2013 when the U.S.-based retailer takes over former Zellers stores.

Included in the list are eight planned Target stores in the Lower Mainland, in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge and Surrey.

Absent from the list is any Vancouver store.

"This is just the first wave," Target Canada president Tony Fisher told reporters, adding more store sites will be announced in September.

Planned Target stores in B.C.

•    Abbotsford – Abbotsford Power Centre

•    Burnaby – Metropolis at Metrotown

•    Campbell River – Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre

•    Chilliwack – Cottonwood Mall

•    Coquitlam – Coquitlam Centre

•    Courtenay –Driftwood Mall

•    Cranbrook – Tamarack Mall

•    Delta – Scottsdale Mall

•    Kamloops – Sahili Centre Mall

•    Kelowna – Orchard Park Plaza

•    Langley – Willowbrook Shopping Centre

•    Maple Ridge – Haney Place Mall

•    Nanaimo – Nanaimo North Town Centre

•    Prince George – Pine Centre

•    Surrey – Surrey Place/Central City

•    Vernon – Village Green Mall

•    Victoria – Hillside Shopping Centre

•    Victoria – Tillicum Centre