Across Canada, Bay and Zellers work closely with the Canadian Red Cross to assist with national disaster ease. The retailers have provided supplies and employee volunteers to help communities in need, for example, during the Manitoba floods and the Eastern Canada ice storm disaster.
Since 1986, Zellers ‘Moonwalk” for Cystic Fibrosis has raised over $12 million. Zellers stores have continued being the sponsor of over 300 children’s soccer and hockey teams. Zellers also participated in Toronto’s 92nd Annual Santa Claus Parade.
The Bay and Zellers both gave proceeds from the ‘Candle in the Wind” sales to the Canadian Red Cross and the Bloorview MacMillan Centre in the name of Diana, Princess of Wales. HBC was one of the proud sponsors of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation’s “Women’s Health matters Expo & Forum”. The HBC is happy to help Canadian communities become better places to live in.
(HBC Annual Report, Pg#13, The above information is from one source.)
FINAL ANALYSIS
I believe that the Hudson’s Bay Company will encounter financial growth as the Canadian economy continues to grow. With HBC continually expanding and investing into it’s own company, I believe this retail giant will become very prosperous in the future. With the acquisition of Kmart, which enhanced both the Bay and Zellers, HBC will enable itself to increase operations across Canada. Furthermore, with low interest and unemployment rates, a moderate increase in personal disposable income will allow customers to purchase items from HBC more regularly. When more opportunity arises, the Hudson’s Bay Company will flourish enormously.
1. Historic HBC. Internet.
http://www.hbc.com/hbchistory/historic-hbc/HistoryHBC.htm.
21/12/99
2. Hudson’s Bay Company Annual Report 1998. Toronto,
Avant Litho Graphics Inc., 1999
3. Hudson’s Bay Company Annual Report 1997. Toronto,
Avant Litho Graphics Inc., 1998
4. Hudson’s Bay Company Annual Report 1996. Toronto,
Avant Litho Graphics Inc., 1997
5. Hutchinson, Brian, “Two Steps Forward, One Back”.
Canadian Business, June 1996