Hudson’s Bay stores close and over 8,300 employees lose jobs across Canada by this weekend

Hudson’s Bay stores will close by this weekend leaving over 8,300 employees without jobs across Canada.

The company filed for creditor protection on March 7 and later announced all stores would close. Liquidation sales started later in March.

All stores will close and most employees will be terminated by June 1, according to court documents.

Hudson’s Bay Company employed approximately 9,364 people across its 96 stores, four distribution centres and head office, the document states.

The majority of retail employees, approximately 8.347 people, will be terminated.

Employees will be paid their accrued vacation pay, however, the company does not plan to offer termination or severance payments, the document states.

About 1,017 employees, including distribution centre employees will remain on the job until these centres close on June 15. Eight employees will assist with finalizing the sale of remaining store furniture, fixtures and equipment and closing up the stores.

After June 15, approximately 118 employees (corporate and retail staff) will stay on to wind up operations.

The closure marks the end of Canada’s oldest department store with roots back to the 1600s.

At least two stores in Ontario will be taken over by a mall landlord.

Leases for another 28 Hudson’s Bay Company stores in Ontario, British Colombia and Alberta will be taken over by Ruby Liu Commercial Investment Corp., a corporation indirectly controlled by B.C. mall owner and billionaire Ruby Liu.

Liu has plans for a space that integrates retail, dining, entertainment and cultural experiences.

See the court documents here.

Editor’s note: A judge later ruled against Liu’s takeover of Hudson’s Bay stores in Canada.