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Historically, the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company (HBC) owes its existence to a group of London businesspeople who believed there was profit to be made by trading for furs in the New World. The fur trade brought the First Nations and Europeans together in a mutually beneficial commercial venture and helped create a country in the process. For 200 years, HBC controlled the fur trade and a great deal of politics in Canada. Numerous competitors challenged this control, for example the North West Company (NWC) – a partnership of nine different fur trading groups. However, by means of treaties and mergers with the NWC, HBC remained pre-eminent.
In 2004, the Hudson’s Bay Company invested millions of capital into Hbc stores, the retail sub-division of the company. Hbc itself owns numerous retail chains: Zellers, The Bay, Home Outfitters, Designer Depot, and FIELDS.

The goal of Hbc is to have the best modern and effective network of stores on the market. HBC’s financial ability to accelerate this process is fuelling their growth and competitiveness in the marketplace.
In the 2004 Annual Report, HBC states, “The organizational changes we’ve made in Merchandising and Marketing, giving us one view of the market opportunity and customer need, will accelerate our ability to offer broader assortments and wider distribution of unique, fresh and increasingly exclusive product and brands through Hbc stores.”

Additionally, HBC is committed to developing programs for communities through the HBC Foundation. In 2004, HBC continued its support for important organizations such as the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society and Commonwealth Games Canada. The company also introduced important initiatives like the Hbc Run for Canada and the Hbc Rewards Community Giving Program.

“Our award-winning energy conservation program is built on the principles of decreasing Hbc’s energy consumption, improving our...