Some former Target Canada store locations in Brampton malls are getting new tenants later this year, according to the company that owns the properties.

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust announced recently that the Shoppers World Brampton and Trinity Common Mall locations left vacant with the American retail giant’s sudden departure due to plummeting sales in 2015, will be filled soon.

At Shoppers World Brampton, the former Target store will be reconfigured to accommodate four large format tenants: GoodLife Fitness, JYSK, Giant Tiger and Staples. All are expected to open by year’s end.

Meanwhile, at Trinity Common Mall, RioCan says it has successfully completed the leasing for the former Target premises with Winners, Michaels and Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW). They will open in late 2017 or 2018, RioCan said.

"I am proud of my team's efforts to complete the backfill of spaces and replace more than the rental revenue that was lost from Target," said Edward Sonshine, Chief Executive Officer of RioCan. "We will increase the cash flow in our properties through higher rents on the replacement leases. Our rental revenue stream will be more diverse and we have improved the revenue growth profile with rents that in some cases have embedded growth and provide for greater recoveries. Above all, we are confident that our centres will now have a greater appeal in their communities which, in turn, will strengthen the rental growth profile."

Target's departure provided RioCan with the opportunity to improve its shopping centres and diversify the rental revenue in these properties with strong national tenants such as, Costco, Lowes, Canadian Tire, TJX Brands (Winners, Marshalls, HomeSense), PetSmart, SportChek, DSW, JYSK, Staples and Michaels. RioCan says these stores will generate greater foot traffic and provide better support for future rent growth. "RioCan succeeds when its tenants and investors do," said Sonshine. "The company's entrepreneurial spirit has allowed us to view the closure of Target locations across Canada as an opportunity to cultivate new business and diversify our rental revenue stream and ultimately generate embedded growth leading to greater recoveries."

There has been no word from Square One Shopping Centre on any developments with its former Target location. A spokesperson has yet to respond to a request for comment.