Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/122387
r e T a i l i n g T o d a y Improving with age CANADA's veNerAble huDsoN's bAy Co. is gettiNg A Complete mAkeover T By Beth Mattson-Teig he Bay, as Canada's oldest department store chain was called for decades, rolled out a new name, some new brands and a whole new look for its flagship stores. With a nod to a rich, long history and heritage, the department store rebranded itself as hudson's Bay last fall. hudson's Bay Co. was chartered as a fur-trading company in 1670, and the retail chapter of the story began in 1881, when the company opened its first store, in Winnipeg. thus 62 SCT / m A y 2 0 1 3 the new name coincides with the chain's effort to revitalize its 90 stores, boost sales and modernize its profile. "they are becoming more innovative, and they are looking to be recognized as a higher-end retailer," said amanda Vissia, senior associate of retail leasing and sales at avison young, Vancouver, British Columbia. these improvements could not be better timed, with target kicking off its expansion into Canada this year and nordstrom poised to enter next year. the changes have been percolating since 2008, when U.s. equity group nRdC equity Partners acquired hudson's Bay Co. since then, Ceo Richard Baker has brought in fresh talent, such as Bonnie Baker, who is president and Ceo of the hudson's Bay stores. hudson's Bay Co. also owns