The Hudson's Bay department store group has confirmed it will close its 15 stores in the Netherlands, as well as its e-commerce site and headquarters in the country by the end of the year. The confirmation comes three weeks after Dutch business daily Financieel Dagblad reported on the plans. The company says it has come to an agreement with local unions to offer solutions for the 1,424 employees impacted by the closure.

In June, the Canadian company sold its minority stake in its European operations – excluding the Dutch interests – to Austrian investment company Sigma, and took back sole ownership of the Dutch operation. It said at the time some stores would close. The owner of the Saks Fifth Avenue department stores entered Europe in 2015, buying Germany's Kaufhof chain, and began the Dutch operation in 2017.

press release: Hudson's Bay Stores to Close in the Netherlands