Hudson's Bay names former Saks exec as president

By

Lauren Walker

Published
Dec 18, 2013

Hudson’s Bay Company has announced that current chief operating officer Donald Watros will take on the expanded role of president of the group, effective February 1, 2014. Watros will continue to report to CEO Richard Baker.

Prior to joining the Canadian department store operator in 2009, Watros held various management positions at May department stores and was chief administrative officer for Saks Fifth Avenue.

"Don Watros' role as President is integral to a new, robust leadership structure that will focus on managing and growing HBC along with its strong and expanding portfolio of brands," said Richard Baker.

Mr. Watros commented: "As a veteran of both HBC and Saks, I will pay particular attention to integrating and delivering on the exciting promise of our merger, while also helping to support all our retail brands and shared services units and to guide the progress of the Company overall."

In November, Hudson’s Bay Company completed the $2.4 billion purchase of U.S. luxury chain Saks Inc.

Hudson’s Bay Company operates 90 Hudson’s Bay department stores in Canada as well was one outlet boutique and an online store, thebay.com. It also controls chain Lord & Taylor.