The Minneapolis-based company plans to hire up to 200 people at each Canadian location. Target is getting ready to open more than 120 stores in Canada next year, with the first 12 in Quebec.

The Canadian government wants to know if the Minneapolis-based retailer will offer enough Canadian books, DVDS and music. Target is working on plans to open more than 125 stores starting next year. Company officials say the review is a standard operating procedure.

Target on Thursday confirmed the locations of its first 24 stores north of the border. The retailer says it plans to open up to 135 stores across Canada.

Arkansas-based Walmart has opened its first of 39 former Zeller's stores in Canada that the company acquired from its Minneapolis-based retail rival last year, Retailing Today reports. Target is working on plans to launch its first Canadian stores next spring.

The Minneapolis-based discount giant is firming up plans to enter its first market outside the United States. Target has released a list of 125 store locations in Canada that will open starting next spring. Its first 24 stores are all in Ontario. Later this year, Target will announce additional locations that will open in 2014.