TORONTO & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(All amounts in US dollars) – Hudson's Bay Company (“HBC” or the “Company”) (TSX: HBC) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of Gilt Groupe Holdings, Inc. (“Gilt”) for $250 million.
With the Acquisition, HBC has added a leading and innovative online shopping destination, which offers its members special access to inspiring fashion merchandise and experiences. This transaction reflects the Company’s ongoing focus on advancing its all-channel model, while continuing to grow its successful off-price business through the integration of Gilt with Saks OFF 5TH locations.
The Acquisition was funded with cash.
About Hudson’s Bay Company
Hudson’s Bay Company is one of the fastest-growing department store retailers in the world, based on its successful formula of driving the performance of high quality stores and their all-channel offerings, unlocking the value of real estate holdings and growing through acquisitions. Founded in 1670, HBC is the oldest company in North America. HBC’s portfolio today includes nine banners, in formats ranging from luxury to better department stores to off price, with more than 460 stores and 65,000 employees around the world.
In North America, HBC’s leading banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Find @ Lord & Taylor and Home Outfitters. In Europe, its banners include GALERIA Kaufhof, the largest department store group in Germany, Belgium’s only department store group Galeria INNO, as well as Sportarena.
HBC has significant investments in real estate joint ventures. It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in the HBS Global Properties Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States and Germany. In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture.
About Gilt
Gilt, www.gilt.com, is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences all at insider prices. Gilt opens a window every day to the exceptional as it continually searches the world for the most coveted brands and products, including fashion and accessories for women, men, and children; home decor; and unique activities in select cities and destinations.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Often but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "could", "should", "would", "outlook", "forecast", "anticipate", "foresee", "continue" or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.
Although HBC believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are by their nature subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons. Some of the factors - many of which are beyond our control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict - include, among others (a) the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the acquisition cannot be realized; (b) the ability of HBC to retain and attract key Gilt personnel and for Gilt to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners; (c) credit, market, currency, operational, liquidity and funding risks generally, including changes in economic conditions, interest rates or tax rates; and (d) risks and uncertainties relating to information management, technology, supply chain, product safety, changes in law, competition, seasonality, commodity price and business.
HBC cautions that the foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause HBC’s actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of HBC’s third quarter Management Discussion & Analysis dated December 10, 2015, as well as HBC’s other public filings, available at www.sedar.com and at www.hbc.com.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe HBC’s expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws, HBC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
