Hudson’s Bay Company announced today that it has signed on with Fashion’s Night Out, a one-day international initiative coordinated by Vogue magazine to help restore consumer confidence, promote retail and celebrate fashion.
HBC is the only Canadian retailer participating in the Sept. 10 event, which will involve fashion shows, music performances, makeovers, prize raffles and opportunities for shoppers to meet designers and celebrity stylists.
Most appropriately of all, the event also extends shopping hours.
“We wanted to participate with other leading retailers and leading designers who are supporting the event around the world,” said Patrick Dickinson, vice-president of marketing for The Bay. “We felt that Canada should be represented in this global initiative, and made an effort to bring the excitement of this night to Canadian consumers.”
Fashion’s Night Out has been promoted in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal through radio and print ads in newspaper style sections.
Seven of The Bay’s flagship stores will take part in the event, which will happen simultaneously in the U.S., China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Russia and several Western European countries.
Participating U.S. retailers include Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor, whose parent company, NRDC Equity Partners, purchased HBC last summer.
“It’s time to get Canadian consumers excited about shopping again,” said Bay CEO Bonnie Brooks.
Events unique to The Bay include a ticketed cosmetics gala that will support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Each ticket will also function as an in-store discount coupon.
The Bay will take advantage of the event to launch 70 fashion brands, including Pink Tartan, Juicy Couture, Ed Hardy and Barbie by David Dixon.
