Hudson’s Bay has shuttered stores and Nordstrom has exited the Canadian market. Meanwhile, one family-run brand is moving in. Quebec-based La Maison Simons is set to expand into some of the most coveted department store real estate in the country, reviving a model many had written off.
By late 2025, Simons will open a flagship store at Toronto’s Eaton Centre alongside its newly opened outpost at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, investing $75 million and creating roughly 400 jobs. For shoppers facing rising prices, that means more competition, curated design and a renewed Canadian option in a sea of international chains.
From Eaton’s pioneering legacy to Simons’ modern reinvention
Simons’ expansion marks a rare success story in Canadian retail. The company, family-run since 1840, has been steadily growing beyond its Quebec roots and is now positioning itself to fill prime retail space once held by Nordstrom and Hudson’s Bay.
For many Canadians, Simons’ story feels familiar. Its approach is often compared to Eaton’s, another pioneering department store brand that revolutionized the industry. Eaton’s introduced fixed pricing, cash-only sales and the now-familiar “satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded” promise. Its catalogue, launched in 1884, brought fashion and household goods to rural households, making the brand a symbol of national pride.
But success was short-lived once leadership lost focus. Timothy Eaton’s grandson inherited the business and, distracted by a lavish lifestyle, steered the company away from fundamentals. Stories from the time recall him racing his Lotus down Yonge Street and hosting extravagant dinners while senior managers pleaded for stability. Within a century, the Eaton’s empire collapsed.
Hudson’s Bay followed a similar, though not identical path. The company grew rapidly through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, acquiring Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Saks Off 5th. But when American investor Jerry Zucker took over in 2006, cost-cutting replaced reinvestment. A succession of CEOs focused on trimming expenses rather than adapting to new consumer trends. Without innovation, HBC eventually declared bankruptcy in 2025.
Simons, by contrast, has studied these cautionary tales. “We are not rushing things,” Simons CEO Bernard Leblanc said in a statement. “We are patient to find the right opportunity at the right moment, in the right place, and under the right conditions. Ultimately, our goal isn’t necessarily to be the biggest retailer but rather the best in the eyes of our customers.”
A retail revival that matters for shoppers’ wallets
For consumers, the expansion is more than nostalgia. Department stores offer curated shopping under one roof, combining affordable basics with designer labels. At Simons’ Vancouver store, for example, 100% cotton T-shirts that sell between $10 and $30 sit alongside high-end collections, giving shoppers both choice and value. You’ll see similar layouts at other Simons stores throughout the country.
That balance positions Simons as a rare middle ground: stylish, value-driven and anchored in Canadian identity. For households managing tight budgets, it’s an alternative to discount chains on one end and global fast-fashion giants on the other.
Canadian identity matters now more than ever
The failures of Eaton’s and HBC are reminders of what can be lost when Canadian heritage brands falter. Yet their downfalls also set the stage for Simons to step forward at a time when the economic and political climate has made shopping local more relevant than ever.
With affordability challenges straining household budgets and politicians urging Canadians to support homegrown businesses, the Buy Canadian movement has become more than a slogan. Whether it’s food, hardware or what pint Canadians pour, shoppers are increasingly conscious of how their spending supports domestic jobs and supply chains.
By stepping into high-profile spaces, Simons is tapping into this broader shift. “Many Canadians have embraced buying domestically-made products in recent months,” Statistics Canada noted in a recent retail report — a sentiment that now applies to clothing as much as groceries.
For Simons, the timing is crucial. Inflation, higher debt loads and economic uncertainty have pushed shoppers to seek value without compromising on quality. As a Canadian brand rooted in family heritage, sustainable practices and careful growth, Simons offers not only a nostalgic connection but a pragmatic choice for today’s households.
A smart bet for shoppers and the economy
Simons’ expansion is both a retail story and a business lesson. Where Eaton’s once defined Canadian shopping and HBC faltered, Simons is proving that the department store model can still succeed if managed with discipline and relevance.
For Canadian households, it means more access to well-priced basics, curated design and homegrown service at a time when every dollar counts. For the economy, it signals that a domestic department store can thrive again — provided it learns from the past and stays focused on the fundamentals.
In a world of fragile consumer confidence and global uncertainty, Simons may be writing a new chapter for Canadian retail, one measured in both cultural pride and savings at the till.
Sources
1. Cision: Simons bets on the future of Canadian retail by opening two new urban Toronto stores in 2025 (June 6, 2024)
2. BNN Bloomberg: Why Simons and Holt Renfrew are unlikely to want all of Hudson’s Bay’s real estate (April 10, 2025)
3. Statistics Canada: Buying Canadian: The beer edition (July 9, 2025)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.