One of Canada’s most historic retail names is getting a second chance. The Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670 and widely regarded as Canada’s oldest corporation, will sell its iconic brand to Canadian Tire in a $30 million deal that aims to preserve its legacy in a modern retail environment. The news was first reported by the BBC’s Robin Levinson King.
The sale comes after Hudson’s Bay, also known as HBC, filed for creditor protection and announced the closure of all its retail locations. The company cited the post-pandemic shift in consumer behavior and the burden of U.S. tariffs as factors that made continued operations unsustainable. By selling its intellectual property to Canadian Tire, HBC is ensuring the continuation of a brand that has shaped Canadian retail and cultural history for more than 350 years.
Canadian Tire, a leading national retailer with over 1,700 stores across Canada, will now acquire the rights to Hudson’s Bay’s name, its trademarks, and the well-known multicolored point-blanket design that has become synonymous with the brand. Known for selling a wide range of products from hardware to housewares, Canadian Tire’s acquisition is expected to integrate Hudson’s Bay-branded items into its diverse offerings.
The Hudson’s Bay brand began with the trading of British-made wool blankets in the 17th century, eventually evolving into a major department store chain with locations in many of Canada’s most prominent urban centers. Its distinct stripes in blue, red, green, and yellow have been used across a wide variety of merchandise including clothing, home goods, and collectibles. When news broke that HBC would be shuttering operations, demand for its striped blankets and products surged, with some items fetching thousands of dollars on resale platforms like eBay.
This last-minute revival offers a glimmer of hope for Canadians who felt a sense of cultural loss at the brand’s apparent demise. With Canadian Tire stepping in, there is renewed optimism that Hudson’s Bay products will remain a part of Canadian life for years to come, even if the traditional department store experience is now part of the past.
As reported by BBC News, the agreement represents more than a business deal. It is a significant moment in preserving one of the most iconic symbols of Canadian history and commerce.
