EXCLUSIVEBRANDSOURCING RETAILER/WHOLESALER ...

Percentage of Sales in Exclusive Brands: N/A
Principal Business: This retailer, the largest department store operator and oldest corporation in
Canada, was established 1670 as an operator of fur trading posts. Its department stores evolved
with new settlements established and by the 1880s, its first “salesshop,” located outside a military
fort was launched. Its evolution into a chain store operation began in 1912. Today, the company
oversees 675 stores, of which 629 under four formats are in Canada, the 43 remaining 46 Lord &
Taylor upscale specialty fashion outlets in the US (9 states). In Canada, the company operates the
flagship department store chain, the Bay (92 outlets); 279 Zellers mass merchandise stores; 62
Home Outfitters (kitchen, bed and bath) specialty superstores; and 196 Field’s extreme discount
retail outlets (consumables, clothing & home fashion, and general merchandise--all value priced).
EB Identities: At The Bay (Mantles, Outline, Request, Sportex, Beaumark, Home Styles, etc.), at
Zellers (Mantles, Outline, Request, Sportex, Beaumark, Home Styles, Truly), at Lord & Taylor
(Lord & Taylor, Kate Hill, Contex, Black/Brown, 1826, etc.). Additionally, The Bay has exclusive
licensed brands, such as Cherokee (clothing), Alfred Sung (home collection), and a number of
Macy’s private labels--I.N.C., Style & Co., Tools of the Trade, etc.
EB skus: N/A
Profile: In July 2008, The Hudson’s Bay Co., which was purchased by the owner of Lord &
Taylor, New York, who looked to develop Lord &Taylor stores in Canada. Buyer, NRDC Equity
Partners, Purchase, NY, already held a minority interest in Hudson Bay. NRDC had acquired Lord
& Taylor in 2006 for $1.2 billion in cash, and followed up in February 2008 with the takeover of
Fortunoff, a chain of fine jewelry, home furnishings, and mattresses, which was in voluntary
bankruptcy. Fortunoff had 20 stores and Lord & Taylor at that time operated 47 upscale
department stores, all in the US. NRDC, which also owns some 75 shopping centers in 14 states,
purchased Fortunoff to add its jewelry and decor boutiques to the Lord & Taylor chain-- started in
1826. Synergies are being explored via the Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor link. This company
is now in a reorganization phase, as its new owner, NRDC plans to move Lord & Taylor into
Canada (and possibly into Mexico and Asia) and develops the Fortunoff jewelry and home decor
boutiques in its other department store formats. Zellers also is building its convenience and
grocery business. There likely will be a consolidation of its private brands. During 2011, HBC
allowed Target of the US to acquired the leaseholds of 189 Zellers stores, which HBC will
continue to operate until early in 2012. Target then will phase in its Target concept. HBC also
signed a franchise agreement with Acadia Group of the UK, which will allow HBC to sell
Topshop and Topman merchandise exclusively in Canada. Additionally, HBC in January 2012
completed the acquisition of its affiliate chain, Lord & Taylor Holdings LLC.
Procurement Contacts: N/A
HY-VEE FOOD STORES
5820 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266-8223 USA