Is Hudson’s Bay nearing a deal to bring Uniqlo to Canada?

Hudson’s Bay CEO Richard Baker dropped a cagey hint this week that Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo could be coming to the iconic department store. Baker told the National Post that Uniqlo “is a dynamite company and it is very logical that they should be able to come and grow with us like Topshop”—but he wouldn’t say whether talks are currently underway. Although Hudson’s Bay has already acquired the Canadian rights for Topshop and Kleinfeld Bridal as part of its ongoing rebranding effort, we wouldn’t start making a Uniqlo shopping list just yet. The Japanese company has a history of raising hopes about possible Canadian locations before putting its expansion plans on hold. [National Post]