Canadian Tire to Take Over Hudson’s Bay Stripes, Logos & Brands
In a major retail shake-up, Canadian Tire will acquire Hudson’s Bay’s intellectual property—including its iconic four stripes motif and historic coat of arms. The $30 million deal, announced Thursday, signals the end of an era for Canada’s oldest department store.
Hudson’s Bay Brands Get a New Home
This acquisition includes Hudson’s Bay’s trademarks, logos, and popular brands like Gluckstein, Distinctly Home, and Hudson North. Canadian Tire plans to integrate these into its own stores, such as Mark’s, SportChek, and Party City.
For shoppers hoping their Bay-striped blankets would become collectibles, this deal changes that. The beloved stripes will stay in circulation, just under a different roof.
A Strategic (and Patriotic) Move
Greg Hicks, CEO of Canadian Tire, called the acquisition both “strategic” and “patriotic.” He emphasized keeping iconic Canadian brands in Canadian hands, stating, “Some things are just meant to stay Canadian.”
The move comes as Hudson’s Bay faces closure, with plans to shut down its 80 Bay and 16 Saks-branded stores by June. The retailer filed for creditor protection in March, unable to recover from financial struggles worsened by the pandemic and ongoing trade tensions.
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What Happens Next?
The $30 million deal still needs court approval. However, Canadian Tire’s strong national presence—over 1,700 retail locations—makes it well-positioned to revive and reimagine Hudson’s Bay’s legacy.
The future of Hudson’s Bay’s physical stores remains uncertain. Canadian Tire has reportedly bid on select store leases but has no plans to operate Bay stores as-is. Instead, it aims to repurpose them for its existing brands.
Meanwhile, Hudson’s Bay has received 12 bids for 39 of its store leases and is also preparing to auction off 4,400 art pieces and artifacts, including its 1670 royal charter.
From Fur Trading to Retail Giant: A 355-Year Legacy
Founded in 1670 as a fur-trading company, Hudson’s Bay played a major role in shaping Canada’s economy and history. Over centuries, it evolved into a household name for housewares, apparel, and registries.
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However, after falling under American ownership in 2006, the brand struggled to stay relevant amid changing shopping habits.
Now, with Canadian Tire’s acquisition, a piece of that legacy stays alive—albeit in a different form.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe Canadian Tire is the right brand to carry on Hudson’s Bay’s legacy? Share your thoughts below.
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/hudson-s-bay-stripes-candian-tire-1.7536366
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/hudsons-bay-to-sell-brands-to-canadian-tire-for-30-million
- https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/canadian-tire-buying-hudsons-bay-brand-30-million
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