Ann Taylor and Loft to return to Canada through Hudson’s Bay 

The Ann Taylor and LOFT women’s fashion brands are returning to Canada in a partnership with Hudson’s Bay. The brands closed their Canadian stores in the summer of 2020 after their then parent company Ascena filed for bankruptcy in the US. 

Now both women’s brands have returned to Canada under new ownership, with partner shop-in-stores opening within Hudson’s Bay locations. In a press release, Hudson’s Bay said that the Ann Taylor and LOFT shops will “reflect each brand’s unique look and feel.”

The Ann Taylor brand will have a presence in 30 of Hudson’s Bay’s stores across the country, while LOFT will be available in 60 of Hudson’s Bay’s stores. Hudson’s Bay currently operates about 80 stores across Canada. 

The Ann Taylor assortment in Hudson’s Bay will include “product for the modern working woman featuring workwear, iconic silhouettes, and signature colour, print, and pattern that the brand is famous for,” according to Hudson’s Bay. The assortment will also include the modern tailoring Ann Taylor customers love including suiting, blazers, dresses and pants. The LOFT assortment “is centred around fun, feminine fashion that is synonymous with the brand, including easy stylish wardrobing that takes her from workday to play, with jackets, denim and sweaters.”

The move to bring both brands to Hudson’s Bay is part of a deal with US-based Centric Brands LLC, which now has the distribution rights to Ann Taylor and LOFT. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Centric and Hudson’s Bay to bring Ann Taylor and LOFT back to Canada. This is a very important market for our brands,” said Deirdre FitzGerald, President of International for KnitWell Group, the company that operates Ann Taylor and LOFT. “They are both best in class organizations, and Ann and LOFT are two incredible, well-known brands with a loyal following in Canada. Together, we are creating a powerful new way to bring these brands to life and engage with new and existing customers.”

“This partnership not only enhances Hudson’s Bay’s offerings, but also aligns with what our customers are looking for. These brands provide a blend of style and sophistication for women looking for versatility in their wardrobe, for both professional and social settings,” said Liz Rodbell, President and CEO, Hudson’s Bay in a statement. “As the retail landscape evolves, it’s crucial for retailers to adapt to customer preferences, and we’re confident that this collaboration will deliver against the demands of our shopper.”

Former parent company Ascena filed for bankruptcy in the United States in the summer of 2020, resulting in the closure of all four Ann Taylor, nine LOFT and almost 40 Justice stores in Canada. 

Ascena acquired Ann Taylor and LOFT in 2015. Both brands had already expanded into the Canadian market at the time. In 2012, Ann Taylor opened its first Canadian store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre which was followed in November of 2012 with a unit at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Ann Taylor subsequently opened stores at CF Sherway Gardens as well as at Square One in Mississauga. LOFT, which opened its first store in Canada at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre in November of 2012, operated eight other units in Canada until its stores were also liquidated. 

Hudson’s Bay has been adding brands to its stores — that includes Cat & Jack, a children’s line developed for Target in the United States. Last year Hudson’s Bay also brought in Kmart Australia’s Anko line, which was positioned as the core product line for a 2.0 rollout of the Zellers brand concept. 

Parent Hudson’s Bay Company recently acquired US luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, forming a new division called Saks Global. Canadian stores have been excluded from the new Saks Global conglomerate. 

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