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Sep 4, 2017
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Hudson’s Bay opens first international branch in Amsterdam, other Dutch cities to follow

Published
Sep 4, 2017

The Canadian department store will open the doors of its first Dutch location on 5 September at Rokin 21, while launching the web shop at the same time. Branches in Rotterdam and The Hague will follow on Thursday 7 September. These will be the first locations for the department chain outside of Canada.


Hudson's Bay at Rokin, Amsterdam - Hudson's Bay


Jerry Storch, CEO, HBC, said: “This is an historic moment in HBC’s 347-year history, marking the first Hudson’s Bay store ever to open outside of Canada and adding a new market to our diverse geographic footprint. Just 16 months after we announced our plans to enter the Dutch market, we are very excited to introduce our innovative, all-channel retail model to the Netherlands.”

Jacco van der Steen, Director Marketing and Buying at Hudson’s Bay in the Netherlands, said: “We are very excited to welcome our guests to this special and new shopping experience – the only national department store in the Netherlands. Our goal is to create memorable moments for our guests, and we will do that with strong brands, local temporary collections, and unique food experiences inside beautifully designed stores. And, with our all-channel approach we will deliver an exceptional online shopping experience as well.”

Each department store will feature a mix of national and international brands from the mid-market segment to emerging brands, including Topshop and Topman, The Kooples, Nike, MAC and Chanel. Additionally, more than 100 Dutch brands will be available, such as Love Stories and Nikkie. Moreover, a number of national and international brands have developed limited editions designs, which will be included in the collection, The Limiteds.

All Hudson’s Bay stores will feature the so-called Studios concept, an area where guests can discover new brands or products that are new to the Dutch market. They will also offer a hands-free shopping experience, with customers able to scan products and pick them up at Click & Collect upon leaving the store. Other services are an Aveda salon; restaurant Nacarat by renowned Dutch chef Ron Blaauw and Kids Kingdom, a children's play area.


Interior of Hudson's Bay store Amsterdam - Hudson's Bay


Apart from this week’s openings in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, Hudson’s Bay will land in Leiden, Breda, Maastricht, Zwolle, Almere, Den Bosch and Tilburg later this month. With the 10 new department stores, the company has employed 1,600 new HBC staff members across the country.

In May 2016, the company first confirmed its plans to open 20 department stores in the Netherlands within the following two years. The Amsterdam opening was moved forward to September 5 last month.

Hudson’s Bay Company has expanded its presence since September 2015 in Europe by purchasing the German department store chain, Galeria Kaufhof, which included 102 Galeria Kaufhof stores in Germany and 16 locations under the name Galeria Inno in Belgium, all part of the company’s European growth strategy.

Parent company Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670, is the oldest company in North America. Department store chain Hudson’s Bay currently operates 90 locations in Canada, and now the Netherlands. Other brands in the Hudson’s Bay Company portfolio are Gilt and Saks Fifth Avenue

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