Webbing Out: Hudson's Bay Company Being "Targeted"
By Shane Birley on August 14, 2004 - 8:39am
Canadians!
Wake up!
I woke up this morning and I grabbed the Globe and Mail and was horrifed at what I saw. The Globe and Mail is reporting that an American chain, known as Target, is wanting to purchase some or all of the Hudson's Bay Company.
I have very strong feelings towards this problem. I think of the Hudson's Bay Company as a Canadian icon and it should have nothing to do with anything American - in regards to its ownership, that is.
Target is wanting to take on Wal-Mart, another American company that came in into Canada about ten years ago when it purchased the Woolco company. It figures that if it is able to purchase or take over the Hudson's Bay Company that is will get the locations it needs to expand outside of the United States.
So, what does this really mean? Target will, most likely, convert the stores it wants - namely Zellers - into Target stores. So, yes, we would lose Zellers, a chain of stores owned by The Bay when it bought them a few years back.
And not only that, the profit earned from these new stores goes outside of the country! Into the United States! Most of that money would leave Canada and none would really benefit anything Canadian. Except the Canadian government. And most Canadians hate them too.
To me, it means the loss of Canada. If we allow foreign, especially American stores, to come up here and buy their way into our country - then we may as well become the 51st state.
Sure, I am ignoring anything business related, but to me, this has nothing to do with business. This feels like an attack on my Canadian identity. I am sure I am over reacting today, but I just feel like this is just too much for my Canadian brain to handle. I was joking the other day that I felt society, in general, was going to hell because of large businesses seeking markets in places that really should not be markets at all.
Maybe, I was right.
Today, I'm going to the Bay and I am going to buy something nice.
I am currently in a management position at HBC and am deeply saddened by the fact that so many of you out there are so quick to just write this company off. (let me point out that I work for HBC and not Walmart because I sought out this position with a wonderful company who was never given the credit they deserve, my opinions were not created as a result of my career, but rather are what brought me to this company) The Hudson's Bay Company has been trying to address consumer issues from instock to customer service and have spent millions of dollars in logistics and customer service training to ensure that consumers get what they want. The problem being that every one is so quick to judge without giving them a chance. Things can't change over night, and consumer's change their opinions so rapidly it's hard to keep up. One of the number one complaints we had was in stock so the company has developed an in stock integrity system that is working, it is on the way to being a wonderful system. They wanted to have associates to come and help them so we started a new service strategy that NO OTHER RETAILER was even considering! The company is no longer focusing on Walmart as their competitor, how could such a small company like HBC even begin to compete with such a retail giant? We are trying to differentiate our stores and our products from anyone else. We are trying to bring in a quality product but with a value price, rather than just cheap, cheap, cheap. What is with Canadians? People complain that there aren't enough staff in the stores, but I mean really what are you doing to support it? Without the revenues how are we supposed to be able to afford to employ someone to be there to help you. We are so quick to judge our own, you walk into a HBC store and you say there are no staff so you go to shop at Walmart, but I can never think of a time when I was ever in Walmart where I had an associate around who would help me, let alone one whom was happy to help me. So why the double standard? At least we are trying, unlike some other retailers out there.
happy? HBC pays 8 an hr to part time associates who only want a second job close to home. they are expected to do 2hr consultations, have product knowledge on the whole store, telemarketing skills to phone trade show leads and follow up with registrants, sell completion program and hbc credit card, require computer skills, project management and higher end problem solving skills then the hard or soft line store associates or pos people that make the same or more. to top it off they demand you attend a trade show which means leaving your home at 7:30am to not return before 7:30 pm (12 hrs) and will only pay 7 hrs for your efforts.... please try harder!! should i add even though you are part time they schedule you when your in classes, give notice 2mths in advance for a family wedding or medical appointment? they dont pay your lunch break but also dont pay it even if your with a bride and miss it? yup your management alright, you head lacks reality into the real deal on the floor.
It is your choice to work there. I you expect to make so much goto school. I don't know a job that pays anyones lunch breaks. Why should they pay for it??? You want everything to revolve around what you want. It's not hard to learn about each of the products. It's called there opal courses and if you work there you should know that.
I totally agree with everything you said. The funny thing is that the customers that complain say that they can never find help in Zellers yet when I go there I see them all over the floor and smiling and actually greet you and ask if you need help, yet you go into Walmart and they won't even look at you. It is also bad when the Ass. Manager doesn't have the time to help you. The funny thing is that they pay a greeter to greet. Well I have never been greeted at any Walmart ever and I will never buy anything there again. Why should I pay somebodies wage when they won't even help you. Without a customer they have nothing. Walmart needs to train their staff to respect the customers.
if target is going to buy zellers . when will the employees
get to know. we are just hearing those hear says.
we want to know.
Target is not buying Zellers. Quit listening to them. Anyways staff would know first and there is no way that Target will buy the HBC banner because HBC is not going to give Zellers up.
I have to say Target is the best store. I used to shop at K-mart until Zellers took it over and it just wasn't the same. Target is the best !!! Sorry HBC but the bay gotta go !!! What am I going to do about my HBC Points, will Target honour them???
I agree with the first statement.It would be horrible to lose Zellers. I know people who are HBC employed and they are utterly horrified.This would be a huge loss to Canada and our history! And just so you know, Walmart sucks! It is noisy and loud and always busy. I never see a smiling face in that place. Also, i have been in Target and it's the same as Walmart! Zellers has nice friendly staff who actually care and like their jobs! So before you critize the fact that you cant find anyone in the store take this into consideration:
HAVE YOU EVER WORKED IN A RETAIL STORE?!?! probably not because if you have you would understand the stress and the pulling of customers in every direction!
so before you go and complain remember this!! do we really want the U.S companies stomping all over us and ruining our economy? I think not! Canada is the best country in the world!!
good day!! I LOVE CANADA!!
As a HBC employee (zellers)i wuz in complete shock when i heard that target was thinking about buying us out. HBC is a respectable company to work for, they believe in being a team player and treating everyone with respect. Sadly there are some people out there who want to trash HBC. Well let me tell you sumthing you dont understand. Working in retail is a very stressful job.I can understand when you cant find anyone to help you, but you (the customers) have to understand that we're doing our best. There are only so many of us to go around. When we are sold out of sumthing i can understand that you are upset. Have you ever thought about coming in at 8am when the store opens on saturdays!? Also, walmart's prices aren't really that much better, and the quality sucks! Zellers has friendly staff who would do anything for you. I love telling people that i work for HBC! HBC has been around for a LONG TIME i would hate to see it being tossed to the side by some crappy american company. AND yes i have been 2 target and its just like walmart. It saddens many employee's when customers complain about the service. WHY?! becuz we care about you and our jobs and are trying to be there for you! Wut is wrong with the world when more people complain more then compliment? and since when do we want AMERICAN COMPANIES taking us over? the next time you are in an HBC store think about wut its like to be in the associates shoes! i love zellers! i never understood retail until i started working there! you really dont kno until your in a position where you want to help sum1 but you cant becuz they just dont understand. I after being at zellers for a while i was put in a different job for a day becuz they WERE SHORT! ( and dont say well they shuld hire more people..becuz they dont have the budget) THINK ABOUT THIS: there are over 400 HBC stores in canada. THATS A LOT OF EMPLOYEES! we dont have the budget to go and pay for more people. Sumone on the floor was traing on cash one day and he said "wow, you guyz take alot..i have knew respect for you guyz" So the next time you want to be impatient and rude think about all the times that it has happend to you in life!
i love HBC! you will never find a company that cares more about the customers and employees..EVER!! so remember that when you walk into walmart or target
peace
I also work at Zellers and I was in the middle of helping a customer when this other customer cut right in front of the lady I was helping and was so rude. Like how can a customer be so rude to cut in front of someone else. Then they have the nerve to yell at me because I tell them that they will have to wait until I am finished helping the customer I am with. I just can't believe how rude some people can be towards others. The worst is how some of the customers trash the stores. It doesn't matter how many people you have cleaning you can not keep up with some of them. The one day there was four of us in just girlswear alone and the customers were throwing clothes everywhere. And I have watched some of them throw stuff to the ground. I can't beleive some of the customers and it seems that the ones that make the mess are the ones that complain. Some people need some respect to the merchandise. They throw rugs to the ground and step on them with their shoes on. Like you will have your shoes on after you take a bath. How supid are some people. I wonder what some of their houses look like??
I believe that the Target /Zellers issue is a moot point. Everyone in Canada is yelling screw America but the point is "Are you a True Canadian?" Just because you support a company doesn't make you a True Canadian. I'm an American in Canada and all I hear is that America this and America that. If America is so bad, then why do you import stuff from us? You listen to Music, movies and etc. imported from America but, you are yelling just the same "I'm a True Canadian." You cross the border to purchase smokes, cheaper clothing, booze, and etc. Still you yell "I'm a true Canadian!" If you think just because you support a company that makes you a "TRUE CANADIAN" then you are really a "TRUE FOOL." A True Canadian in my eyes has the sense to know that change is constant and knows when something such as a new company in the market will generate jobs, competition and etc for their country and thier people rather than sit around with thier "I'm True Canadian speech." while their people are being over charged by monopolies. So save the Rally speeches about being a true Canadian, and try to be a True person, or true Human for once. And give a Damn about the advantages this new business deal will bring to this country. Because your yelling and not supporting. Your being pimped, yes, pimped by a system that could get you better living conditions but, won't because your a true canadian while, others are making a better life for thier families.
So going to The Bay and/or Zeller's.....do you actually FIND anything MADE IN CANADA there???? Not really. The majority of the stuff in these stores is Made in China, Japan, etc. So the only things that's really Canadian, is the Company that ownes it. They already sold out when they put in these products that aren't made here in Canada.
Well at least the stuff isn't made by children in third world countries unlike WALMART that everybody throws in HBC face when they try to return something way past the return date. All stores should be like future shop cause without a receit no refund. I like how everyone tries to get full price back on something they got on sale. How lame are people today. And the funny thing is it is people who are in there 30's that should know better.
So going to The Bay and/or Zeller's.....do you actually FIND anything MADE IN CANADA there???? Not really. The majority of the stuff in these stores is Made in China, Japan, etc. So the only things that's really Canadian, is the Company that ownes it. They already sold out when they put in these products that aren't made here in Canada.
One of the reasons I buy Mens' clothing at The Bay is because so much of it is still made in CANADA!
Read the goddam labels.
Jones of New York,Nautica,Hilfiger suits and sport coats are ALL made in Canada.
Although one rarely can buy a dress shirt made in North America anymore,most of the dress slacks sold by the Bay are still made in Canada.
Their house brand Mantles is made by Canaday's Apparel in MOOSE JAW ferchristsake!
McGregor socks and underwear (although there is some outsourcing),Stanfield's underwear,Harvey Woods ALL still chugging along being manufactured in Truro Nova Scotia.
More than half the ties have a made in Canada label.
Of course the Canadian textile industry is failing inspite of efforts to support the industry by companies like The Bay.
The sad truth is many Canadians get excited when they wrap some fleece rag over their 50" bums because it only cost $19.99 at WalMart even though it was made in some factory run by the Chinese military.
Now there's a noble employer that deserves our $$$ NOT.
But it's cheap.
Unfortunately it looks it is well.
I don't think it's fair to criticize people whose income only allows them to shop at Wal-Mart. There is do doubt that the quality of product in Wal-Mart's stores is not the best. On the other hand, these same people should be aware that their dollars are going to support the economies of countries other than their own. The bottom line here is economics. In order for a country's economy to stay healthy, its exports must be greater than its imports. Simply put, what we own and produce for export must be greater than what we buy from foreign sources. If a company is "Canadian-owned", that means a minimum of 51% of its profits must stay in the country. That's good for the economy, domestic industry and the workforce. I don't like hearing people bad-mouthing Americans or American culture/business just as I don't like people bad-mouthing Canadians or Canadian culture/business. Lets face it, this HBC thing IS a cultural issue - what you buy and where you buy it is probably the biggest profile of a culture that there is and anyone who doesn't see that isn't mature enough to be trusted with money. Any money.
Bottom line: there's something wrong with a country which would sell a company that is part of it's heritage (it's in the history books, for God's sakes to a country that wasn't even in existance until 130 years later. History IS IMPORTANT, and change is necessary. Lets stop being so intellectually lazy and come up with a working compromise. The Coors-Molson thing worked; Canadians should be happy with that one. 51% control remained in Canada; recognizing the important part the Molson family played in Canada's development; while keeping current with healthy and current business practices. Surely a similar solution can be reached in this Zucker/HBC travesty?
I work for HBC Zellers and I work at newer store but in an area were there are older zellers stores that are dark, dirty and rude people. The store that I work for is VERY clean bright and happy people that really enjoy working there. THe store is the best in our district in sales and productivity but becasue were bannered with the bay most off our profts goes to keep them above water, Also our store shares our profits with our district to keep the older stores open were there are fewer customers, pretty much everything averages out. Ever since Mr Zucker and his 20% of shares came along we have had SOOO many job cuts. We no longer have Floor service--assosicates that all they do is help ALL customers and their questions, we have lost our in-stock sup and our H.R. Admin. If HBC is trying to save money why not take it away from the HIGHLY paid managers and head office workers how just sit around all day reading reports and complaining why customers won't sign up or use their HBC Credit card. Last year A starting associate starts at 7.67 and it's only part time for years unless someone old retires. so like $10,000 roughly supervisor positon $18,000 to $25,000 the assistant managers start at $55,000 and the store business manager starts at you guessed it $90,000 i had a manager at $110,000 a year I know casue i saw his paystub in december. I am lucky being at a new store i am full time and preform well. But with all our Budget cuts even being so close to christmas..were still cutting..when we should be increasing That is ridiculuce...Reduce salaries of managers and the HORDES of people at head office. Better pay, more staff and allocate more hours at the bottom of the HBC chain. And you'll have a better work enviroment, for customers and the employees alike. But what can we do change is on the way. Look at the HBC power buys..it's a target..we've had it for 2 years. Somethign is sour in the compnay thats my idea of saving $45 million
this is old news whats new as of dec
I agree with the original writer. HBC is a Canadian Icon, and even though I am 16 I understand that this is ridiculous and when this man offered the 1.1 billion it should have been a: "NO!!!"
End of story.
I have worked at zellers for 24 years, i hope that hbc will stay,there are a lot of job out there that could be lost, which would not be good for canadians,
What will there be to miss about Zellers? Will it be their lack of staff? Or maybe their dirty, understocked stores? The only thing better than getting Target to take over would if Fred Myer were to come in instead!
I happen to be an employee at a zellers store and what you heard about target taking over is kinda wrong its a man named jerry zucker and he owns maple leaf investments .co and we get updated information from hbc (george Heller Owner) every once in a while about whats happening, and the last news letter said that anything that was going to happen is going to happen at the end of january 2006.
ps you might be right about target though because my friend works at a hotel here and she said one of the head representaive's from target is in town so who know's
but it gets me thinking but please share any information you know with me
sincerly a zellers employee
Just so you all know, HBC was recently sold off the Jerry Zucker... he bought most of the shares of the company. bye bye HBC, our used to be proud canadian country.think about it. it was a fouder of canada, and we jsut lost it
You people dont seem to realise this is going to hurt our economy and put a dent in our canadian pride. our first truely canadian company being sold off? stop and think people. america is jealous of us and always has been, and now they are slowly taking things that are by right ours. quit talking about how it will improve, HBC couldve done it on their own. do you really want the united states taking us over? honestly, think before you start saying things like yea, bring it on target
I work for Zellers and this take over has been kinda scary.......most of us don't know the fate of our stores (the bay and zellers) and no one will tell us and the media isn't getting enough details for us.....for all we know we could be jobless soon HBC never should have been sold
Well now the takeover has happened and now the fireing or "restructuring" as they call it has begun...How many employees will lose their jobs because the people in head office think they live in glass houses and have lost sight of what it is like to work in a real retail setting. Many good people (managers and district managers have gone but they keep the bitchy nasty service managers that dont do anything but bitch and complain
I am proud to work for Zellers. Unfortunately, things happen in the business world that we have no control over. Everyone is talking about Target coming. Well, just to let you know, Target already carries the same products as Zellers. Working under the umbrella of HBC has been a great experience and I know that it will continue. As a Canadian, I hope that the future of HBC/Zellers/Home Outfitters, Field and Desinger Depot will continue to grow as a Canadian Company. If not, we all know that we ARE CANADIAN. Nothing can take that away from us.
well you all know by now about the takeover... well zucker went to head office and got rid of everyone!
yes i too work for zellers or as i like to call it HELLers,yes people it is hell to work there because you get these...i don't even know what to call them...customers who think they are god and demands you help them and you better do it right and fast and the way they want it... go to wendy's if you want it your way...give me a break plaese cause i only get a half an hour lunch and thats interupted because CUSTOMERS don't understand WE DON'T HAVE IT,BUT IF YOU LIKE TO PICK SOMETHING ELSE OUT I CAN GIVE IT TO YOU FOR THE SAME PRICE,OR YOU CAN GET A RAINCHECK.
we try to help the best we can but with shoppers who won't shop there because of the lighting or the lack of sales help i'd like to say this...the lighting is down because of THE BLACK-OUT and the lack of sales people...WE ARE HIDING FROM CUSTOMERS LIKE YOU,GO TO WAL-MART WE DON'T CARE,HELL I'LL GIVE YOU RIDE THERE.
Now, it's been a while since the last comment on this topic so I don't want to beat a dead horse, however...
One thing that was very briefly alluded to in another message was that Target has virtually the same products that Zeller's has. I know, I recently visited a Target store just for laughs. I was ammazed because I felt like I had just walked into my own store. The only things I could say that were different was some of the quality of items (Zeller's seeming to get the short end of the stick on that one) and the way one or two departments were set up. That's about it.
As for the impact to employees and Canadians in general, there most definitely would be. Just as in any type of takeover there will be minor and major losses, as well as gains. That's just the way business goes. Hopefully we don't get to that point, but we as emplyees don't have much say over that anyways.
I have no idea what some people on this site are referring to. Zellers is a great store, the people that are employed in most locations, are chosen because of their personality and ability. Our employees are great and are all hard workers, we recieve training and have to take online courses every year to keep updated. The fact is people, we are a small business and unfortunately that means that we cannot emply an excess of people. If customers would learn to be more courteous towards those that work at the company, we would have more time and energy to help you out.
For instance, I had a customer the other day that threw his items at me at the cash because we sold out of a product. Now mind you the new sales start every Saturday morning, at this time it was Tuesday morning. Now who in their right mind would wait until Tuesday and expect there to still be product left??? We are open 8-9 on sat., 9-5 on sunday, 8-9 on monday. I mean that is three whole days of sales!!! I don't really understand the logic in that one. Also, for those people who have never worked in retail you should definately cut us some slack. Retail is hard, despite what you might think, there is so much stress involved and customers often make or break our day.
Please try to extend more empathy next time you enter one of our stores. We try to serve everyone to the best of our abilities and unfortunately we are not able to make everyone happy. I think that we do a great job. Walmart might have better prices but our store has much better service, and our employees are happy to help where at walmart they tend to ignore people.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I love working at Zellers!!!
Why don't you hate the god damn Hudson Bay Company? Do you walk through its empty halls and ask yourself: "Are they doing a reno here? Oh, no... wait... that's just how their shitty store looks."
Lack of customer service..... check.
Snotty employees (if you can even find one).... check.
Wedding registry program that makes you want to smack them across the mouth?..... check.
This group is for those of you who fucking HATE the god damn Hudson Bay Company and look forward to the day that the HBC is just another footnote in Canadian history.
Dear HBC... shut the doors. Call it quits. You suck.
Okay so you all do realize that the bay company was bought by a jewish American..... the one that made a science project in high school which we now call G.P.S he speaks bloody 5-6 languages fluently, the mans a genius pretty much, and well maybe some of you more negative for lack of a better word people should read the book he has every new employee read it's called QBQ the question behind the question instead of asking what everyone else can do and blaming others look at what you can do the bay is owned by an American yes but he's a killer boss the guy encourages us to do the best we can and to be more knowledgeable about products of course can you honestly say that not knowing about how your store and products work is going to benefit you or the company in any way full time part time it doesn't matter in being an employee there is a trust and a loyalty expected of you suck it up and stop being so lazy.
Speaking as an escaped once insider this has got to be the worst job or work environment that anyone could ever have. The Vancouver Downtown Bay is brutal to their customers and even worse to their employees.I have actually been in retail management all my life. As one writer said above " than go back to school". That didn't seem to make any difference . A lot of us do have degrees and retail management training. I had all the accolades.....openned an enormous amount of Credit cards, received a steady stream of letters from customers to the store management about how well they had been treated, consistently met and surpased all sales targets,and department goals and treated other associates with warmth and respect etc etc. Worked an enormous amount of overtime ,which at the Bay is never never paid for, just to save fellow workers from the impact of being completely over worked. I even lasted 4 years thinking that things would improve with the new owner. Yes...he is a very smart and interesting man but nothing and I mean nothing has improved since the take over. We all read QBQ and I for one have always been a person who lived QBQ. None of this will save you. They are losing all the very best and dedicated workers from all departments. Even the loading dock. The store is rodent infested, the technology is so out of date that it was an embarassment to all of us in front of our customers who paid the awesome price of waiting for hours for product, service , answers help you name.etc.. You had to beg to get pens to do your job!!!! Save your kids and your friends. Do not recommend this horror of a department store chain. Absolutely avoid Vancouver downtown.It starts with the store manager.The feeling of hopelessness is endemic throughout the whole company. Ask anyone who has worked there.Shop in small stores. They are amazing. Great customer service, great products and people who own the businesses that really care.
Sometimes, I wonder how many more years this store has until it hits a massive roadblock and goes kaput.
There is a facebook page dedicated to hating the HBC...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2450189851
As a current employee, it is difficult yet very tempting to join!
Let it sell, The Bay should be happy anyone at all is interested in buying it. I hope the Americans will improve the service standards that are lacking not just at this store but all over the services sector in Canada.
They recently wrecked my expensive watch and refused to do anything about it, and I had only asked for a simple battery replacement! The complete lack of courtesy and customer care in Canadian businesses always amazes me, especially when compared to the high service standards right across the border. I try and do all my shopping in the US but it isn't always possible and that leaves me no option but to live with such horror stories and feel completely helpless as a consumer.
Hello dear Sir
how are you doing?
this is Nariman from Nassmeh.co
I want to ask you if you have offer from zippers or webbing in stock
we have bags factory and we sell them to other companys
I can buy more then 3 container a month
if you have stock we can make contrct with you and we rae redy to buy all the stock you have
best regards
Nariman
For Maher Nesmeh
General Manager
Tel:00963-11-2311507 00963-11-2318658
MOBILE Mr. Maher: 00963-944-511919
MOBILE MS.Nariman 00963-966-508052
Fax: 00963-11-2311982
E-mail: nbbc@mail.sy
maher@nesmeh.com
maher_nbbc@hotmail.com
nbbc_maher@yahoo.com
maher.1972 Skype
http:// www.nesmeh.com/
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