HBC President of International to step down in September

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Aug 24, 2017

Hudson’s Bay Company on Thursday announced that Don Watros, the President, HBC International, has decided to part ways with the company on September 29, 2017. The Supervisory Board will elect a new Chairman in October.

Watros has been with HBC for 11 years and has served as President, HBC International since January 2015. He was also named Chairman of Galeria Kaufhof in October 2015, following HBC's acquisition of the German department store. Prior to serving in these roles, Watros served as President of HBC, COO of HBC and acting CFO.

Watros’ departure will come a few weeks after the company opens its first store in the Netherlands. HBC initially planned to open the store on September 19 and moved the opening date ahead to September 5.
  
“We greatly appreciate Don’s contributions to HBC during his long tenure with the Company, especially his work to bring HBC to Europe and support the establishment of our office there,” said Jerry Storch, CEO, HBC. “I’m pleased that we have a strong team in place to continue to execute on our strategy in Europe, as we invest in Galeria Kaufhof, grow Saks OFF 5TH in Germany and enter the Netherlands with Hudson’s Bay and Saks OFF 5TH.”

Before Watros joined HBC, the Cornell graduate served as Managing Director of Retail Operations at NRDC Equity Partners during the acquisitions of HBC and Lord & Taylor, he served as Chief Administrative Officer for Saks Fifth Avenue, and he began his 20-year career in the retail industry at May Department Stores.