Suzanne Sears, a veteran retail recruiter and founder of Best Retail Careers Canada, has launched a confidential job registry aimed at supporting Hudson’s Bay employees impacted by the company’s recent liquidation and restructuring. With hundreds of seasoned professionals suddenly out of work, Sears says the time is right for a coordinated and compassionate solution.
“We were receiving so many inquiries for future career opportunities all across Canada,” Sears told Retail Insider. “It made sense to group them all together as high-priority candidates and help place them wherever we can find suitable employers.”
A Unique and Confidential Resource
Sears’ new registry is unlike any talent database currently available in Canada’s retail sector. It’s designed specifically for displaced Hudson’s Bay workers—store associates, managers, head office professionals, and others—seeking new positions across the retail industry.
“It’s completely private,” said Sears. “No one can access your name or information without your consent. It’s secure and curated with care. This hasn’t been done before—there’s never been a database just for employees from a single retailer because nothing like this has ever happened at this scale in Canada.”
The registry is free for Hudson’s Bay employees to join. Those interested can connect with Sears via LinkedIn or by visiting her website at www.brcareers.com. Alternatively, employees can send an email to best-retail-jobs@live.ca with the subject line “HBC Registry,” include their résumé, and indicate what role they are looking for.
“When someone joins the registry, they’re asked to be as clear and specific as possible,” said Sears. “If you were a store director, are you looking to move into a head office role, or would you prefer to remain in operations? Many people loved their jobs, and they paid well—so we want to help them continue in meaningful careers.”
Retailers Invited to Hire from the Registry
Employers seeking to hire experienced retail professionals from Hudson’s Bay are also encouraged to contact Sears directly. While the registry is free for employees, employers who want access to candidates or placement services pay a fee. Sears emphasized the efficiency the registry brings to an employer’s hiring process.
“For a company trying to find retail talent, this saves hours of scrolling through LinkedIn or job boards,” she said. “It’s one place to go, one sole source, instead of asking, ‘Where did they all go?’ after layoffs like those at Target, Nordstrom, and now Hudson’s Bay.”
Sears also noted that some companies—such as landlords, former partners, and even HBC’s new ownership—have expressed interest in supporting displaced workers. Her registry offers a direct avenue for these stakeholders to get involved.
“If there’s interest, we could even organize formal meet-and-greets—nothing like a cattle call, but curated networking events for companies to meet qualified people,” she added.
A Wider Support System for a Painful Transition
Beyond job matching, Sears sees the registry as a social support mechanism for HBC alumni—many of whom spent decades with the retailer.
“We’re offering more than just résumé reviews or job placement,” she explained. “This is also about reconnecting people who may have lost touch, building community, and offering support during what is clearly a painful time for many.”
Career counseling, résumé writing, and emotional support resources are also part of the initiative. And Sears highlighted that, unlike corporate outplacement services, which are often offered during large-scale layoffs, many HBC workers are navigating this transition without financial assistance for career coaching.
“It’s really unfortunate that the majority of these people do not have any outplacement dollars to get this kind of professional guidance,” Sears said. “It’s also not something AI can do—AI can’t tell who is suffering the most or who needs to talk to someone or connect with old coworkers.”
Understanding the Human Side of the Collapse
The closure of Hudson’s Bay stores, including iconic downtown flagships and suburban locations, has displaced thousands of experienced retail workers. Many are now confronting a summer without work for the first time in their adult lives.
“I think people will be surprised—most of these retailers have never had a summer off,” Sears said. “Many of them may not be ready to work until September. And we don’t blame them.”
But for those eager to re-enter the workforce, especially in tight labour markets such as Vancouver, Sears said demand is strong—particularly for multilingual workers or those with high-end retail experience.
“People who worked at HBC for a significant period of time have proven themselves,” she said. “They’re a known quantity. That’s a huge asset for employers. You’re not taking a chance on someone. These are professionals with track records.”
A Call to Action
For now, the registry’s mission is clear: offer immediate, meaningful help to those suddenly left without work due to the liquidation of Hudson’s Bay stores.
“We’re doing this because there’s a need,” Sears said. “So many people came to me. They want help, and they deserve it.”
Hudson’s Bay employees looking for support can reach out confidentially to Suzanne Sears through:
“We’ll confirm that they’ve been added to the list. And again, it’s all confidential—no one will see your information without your approval,” Sears emphasized. “We want people to feel safe, heard, and supported.”
as long as its not a gmail account to apply to – don’t want people getting scammed