Hudson’s Bay is getting a second life with a new owner — Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. Canadian Tire announced on Thursday, May 15, 2025 that it will pay $30 million for intellectual property belonging to Canada’s oldest company. The sale will reportedly includes the overarching Hudson’s Bay brand, its iconic, multicoloured stripes motif, its coat of arms and other brand trademarks.
The deal allows products under these names to be sold by Canadian Tire, which also owns SportChek, Party City, Mark’s and Pro Hockey Life, at their 1,700 stores across the country.
Canadian Tire CEO Greg Hicks said the fall of the Bay is “disheartening to witness” but the deal his company reached is meant to be both “strategic” and “patriotic.”
“Some things are just meant to stay Canadian and we are honoured to welcome many of HBC’s leading brands — including the iconic HBC coat of arms and the Stripes — into our Canadian Tire family,” he said in a press release.
His sentiment was echoed by Liz Rodbell, CEO of Hudson’s Bay.
“We are grateful that the HBC brand has found a home with another heritage retailer that encapsulates the uniquely authentic Canadian experience,” she said in a press release.
“I have no doubt they will be strong stewards of the more than 350-year HBC legacy as they move our iconic brands forward.”
The sale, which is expected to close this summer, still needs court approval. Companies that make purchases through creditor protection processes are under no obligation to make use of the brands they buy, but it’s likely Canadian Tire will capitalize on any acquisitions.
Its stores cover much of the same territory as Hudson’s Bay, making it easy to integrate Gluckstein and Distinctly Home items into Canadian Tires and Hudson North into Mark’s and SportChek shops.
Canadian Tire’s brands would also be a natural fit for the Bay stripes — likely the most valuable asset being acquired. The green, red, yellow and indigo motif dating back to 1779 has emblazoned clothing and blankets but also cookware, canoes, pet collars and patio furniture, which Canadian Tire sells.
RELATED:
