Vancouver-based outdoor retailer MEC (Mountain Equipment Company, formerly Mountain Equipment Co-op) has opened three concession shop-in-stores in Hudson’s Bay locations in the Greater Toronto Area.
That includes MEC locations inside of Hudson’s Bay stores in downtown Toronto at the Hudson’s Bay flagship store on Queen Street, at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto and at Square One in Mississauga. All three concessions replace Forever 21 which operated shops inside of Hudson’s Bay for only about a year, and each spans between 7,000 square feet and 11,000 square feet.
In downtown Toronto, MEC’s newest store is on the second level of the massive Hudson’s Bay flagship store across from a women’s shoe department. At Yorkdale, MEC occupies a second level space accessed from an escalator in the store’s cosmetics department, and at Square One MEC occupies a prominent space with a mall entrance adjacent to Hudson’s Bay.
MEC at Hudson’s Bay Queen Street (Image: Dustin Fuhs) 
MEC at Hudson’s Bay Queen Street (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
In addition to the physical stores, MEC has launched on TheBay.com with more than 400 MEC Label styles including outerwear, base layers, supplies for kids, camping gear and packs, and more styles will be added soon according to MEC in a statement.
“MEC doors are officially open at Hudson’s Bay stores across the GTA and we’re thrilled to give Torontonians more access to outdoor gear and expert advice,” said Eric Claus, CEO and Chair of MEC. “We’ve spent more than 50 years inspiring people to get active outside and our latest shops have everything outdoor enthusiasts of all levels need for their next adventure – come say hi!”
A range of goods are available in the three MEC concessions, including weatherproof jackets, hiking boots and base layers to sleeping bags, backpacks, and snowshoes among other products. An assortment of gear, apparel and footwear is available from brands including Scarpa, Salomon, The North Face, Black Diamond and its in-house brand MEC Label.
Dedicated MEC staff work in the three concessions, and are able to provide educated opinions on what consumers should buy, be it a tent, footwear or bike lights. MEC also says that like with its standalone stores, purchases made in the Hudson’s Bay concessions are backed by its Rocksolid Guarantee.
MEC renovated the former Forever 21 spaces which now feature brand-related imagery as well as forest scenes, along with mannequins for different activities and branded fixtures. Each concession operates like a standalone MEC store but due to space constraints, lack larger items as well as bike and ski service stations. Bulkier items such as skis, bikes, canoes and kayaks can be purchased online with the assistance of MEC staff in the concessions, offering expert advice.
The partnership was struck after multiple conversations between MEC and Hudson’s Bay, recognizing the opportunity for two iconic Canadian brands to come together under one roof. In August Retail Insider announced the initiative and interviewed Wayne Drummond, former President of Hudson’s Bay as well as Eric Claus, CEO of MEC.
More MEC locations will open inside of Hudson’s Bay stores in Canada next spring according to Drummond in the interview at the time, and no formal announcements have been made in terms of locations. Hudson’s Bay stores offer enough space for MEC’s concession footprint which means MEC has the opportunity to expand its presence in the Canadian market in pre-existing real estate.
Mountain Equipment Company, as it is now called, was formerly named Mountain Equipment Co-op prior to the cooperative’s restructuring in 2020. The retailer is now a corporation with 21 standalone stores across the country. A typical MEC store spans between 20,000 and 40,000+ square feet.
Hudson’s Bay operates a network of 84 department stores in Canada as well as online marketplace TheBay.com. The retailer was founded in 1670 and is part of the Hudson’s Bay Company, which is the oldest company operating in North America and also owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH banners in the US and Canada.
