Hudson’s Bay Co. reveals first 4 stores locations in the Netherlands

London - Canadian retail group Hudson’s Bay Co. has announced the location of its first four stores in the Netherlands, which include the site previously claimed by Marks & Spencer for its second flagship store in Amsterdam.

The announcement comes not long after Hudson’s Bay Co. confirmed it’s entry into the country, with plans to open up to 20 department stores in the country over the next 24 months. The first Hudson’s Bay premium department stores will open in the cities of Amsterdam, Breda and Tilburg, with the first Saks Off 5th discount department store opening Amsterdam. “We were overwhelmed by the support for HBC in the Netherlands when we announced our entry into the market last week,” said Richard Baker, Governor and Executive Chairman of HBC in a statement. “I’m very pleased with the team’s progress in securing our first four stores in prime retail locations. We feel good about the partnership from our landlords as well as the local municipalities, and look forward to bringing our exciting retail experiences to the Dutch customer with our plans of up to 20 stores in the next 24 months.”

Hudson's Bay Co. to open stores in Amsterdam, Breda and Tilburg

The first Hudson’s Bay department store likely to open in the Netherlands will be located at ‘De Vleeshal’ and Rokin 21 and 49 in Amsterdam. Together, these three buildings will be renovated to offer a single store experience, with immediate access to the subway station at the Rokin. The debut store, which has been leased together IVY Group will span 15,800 square meters and offer the full premium department store’s product range, with a unique offering selected with the Dutch clientele in mind. “We are thrilled that HBC has chosen this unique location for one of its first Hudson’s Bay store in the Netherlands,” commented Mark van Ginkel from IVY Group. “We are convinced that Hudson’s Bay is the perfect concept to enhance the already lively location. The future store is part of the Rokin District project which is a redevelopment of the IVY Group of the former Fortis headquarter at the Rokin and the Nes to a mix of shops, residential and restaurants and bars.”

The other two locations for Hudson’s Bay department stores include ‘De Barones’, a shopping centre in Breda and Heuvelstraat in Tilburg. The stores will span 16,660 square meters and 12,400 square meters respectively. The store location in Breda is currently being redeveloped by by the Kroonenberg Groep, which added that the shopping centre will be complete once Hudson’s Bay arrives. The building selected for the store in Tilburg is also being renovated by its owner Royalton Hill, which noted the premium department store will be “a great addition to the lively city centre of Tilburg. The store is located on the main high street of Tilburg and the Pieter Vreedeplein and, before opening, we will renovate the building into a fresh and modern look to accommodate Hudson’s Bay exciting store formula in the best way possible,” added Maarten Langeveld from Royalton Hill.

The first Saks Off 5th store will also open in Amsterdam, within the shopping centre ‘De Kalvertoren.’ Located near the Rokin and on the Kalverstraat, the famous high street in Amsterdam, the location is currently under renovation by the Kroonenberg Groep. The 4,200 square meter store will span two floors. “We are very happy to welcome the first flagship store of Saks Off 5th in De Kalvertoren in Amsterdam,” said Lesley Bamberger from Kroonenberg Groep. “Kroonenberg Groep will start with the redevelopment of the Kalvertoren this summer, part of the redevelopment is transforming the shopping centre into a shopping arcade.”

The exact opening dates of the stores have yet to be revealed, but are expected to open between summer and autumn of 2017.

Photos: Hudson's Bay, Facebook