Hudson Bay Company History
Hudson’s Bay Company was incorporated in 1670 – Following the
successful expedition of the Nonsuch, King Charles II of England signed
the charter granting the “Company of Adventurers” (Hudson’s Bay Company)
exclusive trading rights to almost 40 per cent of the lands in Canada,
plus parts of the United States.
1960-1969 - Hbc begins to expand as a retailer, buying the Henry Morgan
department store chain in Montreal in 1960. In 1965, the main retail arm
becomes known as “the Bay”.
1970-1980 - In 1970 Hbc becomes a Canadian company and moves its head
office from London, England to Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1978, Hbc takes
over Zellers, Fields and Simpsons, adding to its retail operations.
1987 – Hbc sells its fur auction houses and its Northern Stores
wholesale operation.
1990-1998 – Hbc continues to expand, acquiring the Woodwards department
stores in the Canadian west. In 1998, the company acquires Kmart Canada
and merges it with Zellers.
1999-2000 – Hbc launches its power centre format, Home Outfitters – a
kitchen, bed and bath superstore with three locations in the GTA. The
company also launches DealsOutlet.ca, its online e-commerce offering.
2001 – Hbc launches a single Hbc credit card accepted at the Hudson’s
Bay Company family of stores – the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and
DealsOutlet.ca
2002 – Hbc replaces store gift certificates with the Hbc Gift Card
enabling customers to use it at any of the family of stores.
2003 - Hbc is Canada’s largest department store retailer and oldest
corporation. The Company provides Canadians with the widest selection of
goods and services available through numerous retail channels including
more than 500 stores led by the Bay and Zellers chains. Hudson’s Bay
Company is one of Canada’s largest employers with 70,000 associates and
has operations in every province.
2004 - Hbc launches new off-price retail outlet, Designer Depot. The
first location opened in November, 2004 with a 37,500 square foot
designer outlet in Vaughan Mills. |
