HUDSON'S BAY ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO COUNTRY CASUAL LINE
By Adnews Staff
Hudson's Bay of Toronto has acquired exclusive rights in Canada to the Country Casuals line women's clothing from UK-based Austin Reed Group. HBC will begin selling Country Casuals and Country Casuals Petite merchandise in ten Bay stores in the Greater Toronto Area this spring. Last year the retailer reached a similar agreement with Federated Merchandising Group, a division of Federated Department Stores, to carry eight of Federated privates brands in Bay stores. Three of these, I.N.C. International Concepts clothing, Style & Co. sportswear and Tools of the Trade housewares, were introduced in the fall of 2002. The rest, including Charter Club, Club Room, Jennifer Moore, JM Collection and Tasso Elba SPA, will appear in Bay stores this year.